Parkersburg resident Robert Shaffer, right, discusses his offer to purchase 803 Virginia Ave. with members of the Urban Renewal Authority during a meeting Tuesday at the Municipal Building. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG – The Urban Renewal Authority this week approved the sales of three lots and authorized demolition of a dilapidated structure.

All three purchase applications were approved on 8-0 votes, with council President Mike Reynolds absent.

Parkersburg residents Timber and Aaron Daniel offered $1,000 to purchase a lot at 1900 Market St., behind their residence. They want to fence it in because the backyard on their property is steep in places and doesn’t offer much opportunity for their children to play, Timber Daniel said.

“We would like nothing more than to have kind of a controlled environment for our daughters to play in,” she said.

The property was donated to the city earlier this year, and the city has spent about $100 obtaining and stabilizing it, City Planner Calaya Rake said.

“The cost for investment to the URA is pretty minimal,” she said.

Robert Shaffer sought to buy 803 Virginia Ave. for $755.55. He said the parcel is not adjacent to his property but he has a sewer line that runs through it and he would like to remove a tree whose roots are affecting the line.

“I’m kind of protecting my own interest,” he said. “It would be very hard to build on.”

Councilman Rob Moore asked Shaffer how he settled on the price he offered.

“It was just the number that came to my mind,” Shaffer said.

Councilman Andrew Borkowski said he’s sometimes reluctant to approve sales for low amounts, but he supported this so Shaffer could address the sewer issue.

The property was donated to the authority in 2022, and $11,270 has been invested in it, according to Rake’s report.

The third offer was from Michael Schofield, to purchase 1807 Spring St. for $3,333. He said the property had been a problem for nearly 30 years and the city’s demolition of the structure improved the situation. He’s planted a garden there previously under an agreement with a previous owner.

“My grandkids would love to play in there,” said Tara Miller, Schofield’s fiancee.

The city demolished the structure in 2023 for $13,850. It was acquired via tax sale this year for $1,631.57.

The authority also voted 8-0 to demolish the structure at 640 Bird St., which the authority acquired via tax sale earlier this year.

Development Director Ryan Barber noted that the authority initially authorized the administration to purchase tax-delinquent properties in which the city has a financial interest, such as a demolition lien or judgment, in 2022, then increased the price limit to $5,000 earlier this year.

“Neither of these properties would likely be redeveloped without that tool,” he said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com