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Bethany council discusses ‘B.A.D’ buildings

BETHANY — Efforts to address deteriorating structures and plans for a vacant lot at West Street and Point Breeze Drive were discussed by Bethany Council and the leader of the Business Development Corp. during a recent meeting.

Mayor Patrick Sutherland said a volunteer committee is being formed to identify properties that may be acquired by the BDC for new development as part of the economic development organization’s B.A.D. Building Initiative.

Sutherland noted the acronym stands for brownfields, abandoned and dilapidated, classifying the types of unused or deteriorating properties the BDC hopes to revitalize.

Pat Ford, BDC executive director, said the group has partnered with the West Virginia Housing Development Fund and Huntington Bank to secure funds for the acquisition of such sites and actions, from demolition to repairs, needed to make them attractive to potential buyers.

As an example, he cited three houses and lots near the Rock Springs Business Park in Chester that were up for bid in a county tax auction.

The BDC acquired each for $30 and will pay about $1,500 for title searches for the three, he said.

Ford said the program offers an alternative to condemning structures and is helpful to property owners who may lack the resources to make improvements. He said efforts also have been launched in New Cumberland, Wellsburg and Beech Bottom.

In related business, Councilman Thom Furbee asked the status of property near West Street and Point Breeze Drive that the BDC and Bethany College officials had discussed developing.

Last fall residents of that area expressed concerns that building on the lot would produce runoff that could damage their property and that student housing would be built there and hurt property values.

Ford replied, “Not once was there a discussion of student housing at that location.”

He and others noted there’s been talk of making more housing available to the college’s staff, but Ford said there’s been no more discussion of the West Street site since the residents raised objections.

“We’re not building rental housing. We don’t want to be involved with that. We want to build houses, sell them and move on,” Ford said.

In other business:

¯ Council went into executive session to discuss personnel matters, including a request from college officials for more police presence during major events at the school.

Sutherland said no action was taken during the session, and council anticipates a continuing dialogue with the college over the police issue. He said the town’s police department has responded and assisted with traffic control during college events and will continue to do so.

— Council approved a policy stating the town’s sanitation and street personnel will clear storm drains whenever possible to prevent clogging that can lead to streets being flooded. But Sutherland added that in light of the town’s small staff and the fact some of the drains are connected to lines to the town’s sewer plant, residents are urged not to sweep grass clippings or leaves into the streets and drains.

— It was announced Halloween trick or treating will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

— Sutherland thanked resident Jack Hoffman for volunteering to create green and white street street signs.

— Council heard from David George, who suggested the town hold a fall festival and offered to arrange a meeting with the business that provides amusement rides for the Brooke County Fair.

— Council heard from State Sen. Jack Yost, D-Wellsburg, who said he’s seeking re-election and answered questions from those attending.

(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com.)

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