City of Bridgeport officials said they would start the New Year with a promise of demolishing a blighted property on Layman Avenue. That can now be counted as a promise fulfilled.

 

Last month, Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr said the property would likely get the go-ahead once bids were opened. The bid opening took place Dec. 29 and the contractor with the qualified low bid was approved to set the stage.

 

Blue Gold Development out of Morgantown was the contractor with the low bid. Kerr said their bid was for $16,500.

 

“It was a one-day demolition project, but they came back the nice day and did cleanup,” said Kerr of the house, which did not contain asbestos as ruled by an environmental assessment done on the property. “They did a nice job.”

 

For anyone going by the area, other than the straw in place, it would be hard to tell anything was there. Kerr said it has had a big impact on the individuals living in that area.

 

“It has made a huge difference in that neighborhood,” said Kerr. “I know the neighbors are thrilled.”

 

For those concerned about anyone living in the structure, Kerr said the building was unoccupied at the time of the demolition. The city worked with the homeowner for the last several years, she said previously, as well as handling concerns from neighbors about the property.

 

“I want to reiterate we’re not in this to displace residents from their homes, but there are certain circumstances where demolition is the only option,” said Kerr. “In Bridgeport, we’re very luck to be able to take care of the few we have up front.”

 

While Bridgeport is one of the few cities in West Virginia not dealing with dozens or even hundreds of structures needing demolished, when the time comes for it to happen the city has to go through the same process as every other municipality. And that process is time consuming.

 

Kerr said prior to the demolition and the years leading up to it, there were multiple exchanges of letters, other correspondence, and municipal court dates set to get to the point of being able to address the demolition.

 

Editor's Note: Top two photos show Blue Gold Development bringing down the home, while the bottom photo shows the area the day after the home was demolished.