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City to continue demolition process on West Street

ON-SITE MEETING — Members of the Weirton Building Enforcement Agency and city code officials held a special meeting Wednesday on the site of a group of four properties on West Street, which have been before the board as a result of a series of code violations. The BEA voted to continue the demolition process with all four properties. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — The city’s Building Enforcement Agency has decided to continue with the demolition process on four downtown properties, after officials expressed dissatisfaction with the cleanup efforts of the owner.

Mayor Harold Miller and Ward 4 Councilman George Ash, both of whom sit on the BEA, as well as code officials Matt Burskey and George Lengyel, met with owner Steve Glykas Tuesday at the four properties — 3221 West St., 3237 West St., 3217 West St. and 3225 West St. — for an on-site inspection before deciding to proceed with demolitions.

The BEA initially voted to begin the demolition process in December, although code officials have reported attempting to work with Glykas to clean up the properties since at least August. The demolition order was reconsidered at the requst of attorney Steven Recht, who is representing Glykas in the matter. As a result, during their February meeting, BEA members gave Glykas until Tuesday to address the issues.

“My recommendation hasn’t changed,” Burskey said following Tuesday’s walkthrough, noting while some progress has been made, there continues to be debris throughout all four houses, electrical issues and possible furnace issues. He also noted there is a possible leaking roof at 3217 West St., and there is no access to the second floor of 3221 West St.

“He had it looking better, but he’s taken a step backwards,” Burskey said.

Glykas said he continues to work to remove the debris, and is recycling some of the items. He also told officials a company from Wheeling has expressed interest in helping him, but said the company wants assurances from the city the properties won’t be demolished.

“I want to save these houses,” Glykas said, stating he has received interest in possibly renting at least two of the properties.

As part of continuing the demolition process, the city will send a letter to Recht informing him of the board’s decision, and he will have 20 days to decide whether to appeal the decision to the local circuit court.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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