FOLLANSBEE — A grant from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is helping the city to pursue the demolition of multiple structures that have been deemed dilapidated.

That includes four buildings on the city’s building enforcement committee for which the city’s building enforcement committee will open bids, at a special meeting to be held at 4 p.m. Monday at the City Building.

They are houses at 1014 Clifton St., 1216 Curtis St. and 218 Main St. and Follansbee American Legion Post 45’s headquarters at 998 Main St.

The post home has been closed since last year when an 8-foot arch that was part of its facade collapsed backward into its flat roof, crashing through the first floor, used for storage, and into the second floor.

Dr. Michael Pipo, whose dental office is next door, has agreed to donate the office for the post’s use following his recent retirement, and post leaders have announced plans to use it while seeking funds for a new building at the current structure’s site.

Third Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich, who chairs the building enforcement committee, said the $169,000 state grant has been a great help to the city in its ongoing effort to remove houses and buildings that have become an eyesore and a hazard.

Cekinovich noted no local match is required for the grant, which is part of a WVDEP program started in 2021.

Municipalities and counties awarded grants through the program may use the money for title searches to ensure ownership of targeted properties, inspection and abatement for asbestos, demolition and related solid waste disposal.

In 2024, the city of Wellsburg was awarded a $281,000 grant through it to raze 18 structures.

Wellsburg officials secured ownership of those lots for little or nothing.

After razing the buildings on them, the city sold them through a public auction that netted about $35,000 they hope to apply to future demolitions.

Cekinovich said Follansbee is taking a different approach.

He said to spread the grant money as far as possible, arrangements have been made for the property owners to contribute half of a demolition’s cost while retaining ownership of the remaining lots.

The move addresses some concern about the city being charged with cutting grass and maintaining the lots in other ways Wellsburg officials also sought to avoid through the public auction.

Cekinovich confirmed the city may seek to condemn a building that is deemed unsafe, but said most recent demolitions have been through the owners’ consent.

“The four we’ve torn down so far and the upcoming four have been through consent,” he said, adding none of the structures have been occupied.

Cekinovich said the first four included a former apartment complex at the south end of Main Street that had been struck by a vehicle and had become a haven for vermin.

He said in that case, about $22,000 was needed for the entire process to remove it.

Cekinovich said the cost is typically $13,000 to $16,000 for a small house, though various factors can affect that.

He said when he entered office several years ago, he wasn’t aware of the full process involved in condemning a building.

He noted title searches for them can turn up multiple owners, sometimes some distance away, who each must be notified and given time to respond.

While the city was able to obtain consent for the most recent properties, it was required to do similar leg work for the grant.

“You have to submit several pages of documentation — photos, condemnation letters — for the grant,” said Cekinovich.

He said acquiring the grant and pursuing the demolitions has been a team effort.

Cekinovich said among those involved were city staff members Jessica Gumm and Maureen Williams, City Manager Chris Manack-Stover, City Attorney Michael Gaudio and City Fire Chief Larry Rea.

“Everybody’s working together,” he said.

Cekinovich said the removal of dilapidated structures often improve the value of property surrounding them and the overall image of the city.

Asked how many other demolitions may follow, he said, “We’ll know the bids are opened.”

Cekinovich said if funds continue to be allocated to the state program, “Most certainly we will apply again.”