Editorials

Eyesores: Demolition efforts deserve praise

Ridding our communities of dilapidated and dangerous buildings is more than a matter of eliminating eyesores. It is a matter of public safety, and the city of Parkersburg has made significant strides in that regard.

Over the past five years, the city has torn down 175 vacant, dilapidated properties -- at a cost of more than $2 million that has included purchase of the properties, legal notice and process service. That kind of spending raises eyebrows unless one can see the results were well worth it. And they have been.

Back in 2020, there were 34 vacant property fires. But according to Parkersburg Fire Chief Jason Matthews, there were fewer than that in 2021 and 2022 combined. He says the city's demolition efforts have "absolutely" contributed to that.

"We are working through BEA (the Building Enforcement Agency) and working with code and engineering, trying to work to get known problem houses down faster," Matthews said, adding the Development Department is also part of the process.

Good. Such persistence seems to be affecting other statistics as well. The Police Department's arson reports dropped from 31 in 2021 to 23 in 2022.

But Mayor Tom Joyce is right to understand "it's all part of a puzzle," as the city has also hired civilian homeless outreach coordinators and a Magistrate Court liaison to be just as much a part of the process.

Trespassing, destruction of property and arson will all be reduced as the city continues its fight against these properties. And of course, those living in homes near those properties will feel safer -- and perhaps even see property values improve.

Officials are to be commended then for their success thus far, but must not let off the accelerator.