St. Albans, WV – City officials, state representatives, and project partners gathered today before the old St. Albans Junior High Building for a highly anticipated press conference. Mayor Scott James, joined by WV State Auditor JB McCuskey, WV DEP Director of the Office of the Environmental Advocate Ed Maguire, Chad Smith from the Thrasher Group, and Rodney Loftis from Rodney Loftis & Sons Demolition, unveiled the updated timeline for the abatement and demolition process.
During the press conference, Mayor Scott James shared the latest developments, stating that the abatement process is set to commence by May 30th. He emphasized that each section of the building will be cleared before the demolition begins, ensuring safety and efficiency throughout the project.
WV State Auditor McCuskey took the opportunity to commend Mayor Scott James and his administration for their dedicated efforts in improving the appearance of St. Albans and addressing blight in the neighborhood. Director Maguire of the WV DEP highlighted the agency’s collaboration with communities like St. Albans to facilitate the cleanup of West Virginia communities.
Chad Smith from the Thrasher Group emphasized that public safety is their priority throughout the entire abatement and demolition process. He assured that regular air quality tests will be conducted to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.
Rodney Loftis echoed the commitment to public safety and timeliness, expressing his team’s enthusiasm in working alongside the city to begin a new chapter for the neighborhood.
Mayor Scott James also shared an exciting update regarding the project’s budget. A budget reallocation of nearly $250,000 from the original $540,000 DEP grant will now be directed toward the demolition, resulting in substantial cost savings for the city.
Furthermore, Mayor James reassured residents that the project will not require any road or street closures, minimizing disruptions to the community. He estimated that the entire process could take approximately 2-3 months, showcasing the city’s dedication to an efficient and successful project.
For more information and updates, contact the City of St. Albans Mayor’s Office at (304) 722-3391 or visit the official website at www.stalbanswv.com.
UPDATED: May 8, 2023 8:15 PM
St. Albans Junior High Building Demolition Set to Begin May 30th
St. Albans, WV – The wait is over – the demolition of the former St. Albans Junior High Building is set to begin on May 30th. A news conference will be held on Wednesday, May 17th, at 10:30 am at the former Junior High site to provide further details on the demolition.
The final stages of the project will begin with the necessary abatement by Astar Abatement of Charleston, WV. The abatement process is expected to take two to three weeks. A representative from Astar said, “Safety and efficiency will be of utmost importance throughout this project.”
Once complete, Rodney Loftis & Son Contracting of Charleston, WV, will begin moving in equipment to begin the teardown process. The entire demolition process is expected to take at least 2 months if all goes well, barring any unforeseen delays.
“This is a truly historic moment for St. Albans,” said Mayor Scott James. “As promised during my campaign, we are taking bold steps to revitalize our community, and demolishing the former St. Albans Junior High Building is a major milestone in that effort. I’m proud of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in this project, and I’m thrilled that we are moving forward to create a brighter future for our city.”
For press inquiries and more information, contact the City of St. Albans Mayor’s Office at (304) 722-3391 or the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department at (304) 727-2962.
UPDATED: May 1, 2023 8:15 PM
St. Albans City Council Approves Funding for Demolition of Former St. Albans Junior High Building
St. Albans, WV – In a historic moment for the city of St. Albans, the City Council approved the funding for the demolition of the former St. Albans Junior High Building. The vote, which took place at tonight’s council meeting, saw approval in a roll call style vote. The nearly $700,000 needed to finish the project will be allocated from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Spending) funds.
Mayor Scott James expressed his excitement about the vote, saying tonight’s decision is a significant step forward in revitalizing our city. “We are committed to improving the quality of life for our citizens, and this project is a critical component of that effort. I want to thank the City Council and everyone involved for their leadership and commitment to the future of St. Albans.”
The following steps in the project will involve scheduling the needed abatement and working with the demolition contractor to schedule the tear-down. The city will continue to provide updates on the project as it moves forward.
For press inquiries and more information, please contact the City of St. Albans Mayor’s Office at (304) 722-3391 or the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department at (304) 727-2962.
UPDATED: March 7, 2023
St. Albans Junior High Building Demolition Funding Heading to Finance Committee & City Council
St. Albans, WV – The long-awaited demolition of the former St. Albans Junior High Building is one step closer to becoming a reality. The project bids will be reviewed by the Finance Committee on Monday, April 24, 2023, for final approval.
Once approved, the bid will then go before the St. Albans City Council on May 1, 2023, for a final vote. The vote will be streamed live on Facebook, beginning at 6:30 PM at Council Chambers located at 51 6th Avenue, above the Fire station.
The project, which has already received a portion of funding in the amount of $500,000 from the city’s ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds, requires an additional $685,664.56 for completion.
“We understand how important this project is to the community and are excited to be one step closer to its completion,” said Mayor Scott James. “We are grateful for the support we’ve received from the city council and the finance committee, and we are optimistic about the progress we’re making.”
Once the bids are approved and the funding secured, the demolition project can finally move towards scheduling for abatement and ultimately, demolition. The City of St. Albans is committed to seeing this project through to completion and looks forward to the positive impact it will have on the community.
For further information, please contact the City of St. Albans Mayor’s Office at (304) 722-3391 or the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department at (304) 727-2962.
UPDATED: March 7, 2023
26 Tons of Tires Removed from St. Albans Junior High Building: Demolition Nears
St. Albans, WV – The tire removal portion of the St. Albans Junior High Building demolition project has been completed, with the contractor working closely with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to remove a staggering 26 tons of tires from the site.
This marks a significant milestone in the process, with the focus shifting to asbestos testing. Once the testing results are available (typically 3-4 weeks), abatement can commence, bringing the project one step closer to completion.
Mayor Scott James expressed his optimism that the final stage of scheduling the demolition is drawing nearer and nearer. He commended the tire removal team for their diligence in completing the task safely and efficiently and thanked the DEP for their ongoing support in the project.
The St. Albans Junior High Building has been vacant for over 20 years, and its demolition has been a key initiative for Mayor James during his current administration. The successful completion of the tire removal phase brings the city one step closer to achieving its vision for revitalizing the area.
UPDATED: March 3, 2023
Asbestos Testing Set to Begin for St. Albans Junior High Building Demolition Project
St. Albans, WV – The City of St. Albans is making significant progress towards demolishing the St. Albans Junior High Building on Kanawha Terrace. The project’s next phase is set to begin on Tuesday, March 7, at 8:30 am with the start of asbestos testing. This testing is an essential step in the demolition process to ensure the safety of our workers and the community.
In addition to the asbestos testing, tire removal continues in a different part of the building. The City has discovered more tires than initially anticipated and is working diligently to remove them safely and efficiently.
Once tire removal and asbestos testing are complete, abatement will be the next step in the demolition process. The City of St. Albans is committed to safely and responsibly demolishing the St. Albans Junior High Building. We take every precaution necessary to ensure the safety of our workers, contractors, and community.
We will continue to keep the community and media informed about our progress towards demolishing the St. Albans Junior High Building and the positive impact it will have on our community. For press inquiries and more information, please contact the City of St. Albans Mayor’s Office at (304) 722-3391 or the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department at (304) 727-2962.
UPDATED: FEBRUARY 28, 2023
Tire Removal Underway for St. Albans Junior High Building Demolition Project
St. Albans, WV – The City of St. Albans is pleased to announce that the next step towards the demolition of the St. Albans Junior High Building on Kanawha Terrace has officially begun. The process of removing the tires stored inside the building by the former tenant is now underway.
Working closely with the WV DEP and removal contractors, the removal is expected to be completed soon.
This significant progress, expected to take a couple of days, brings us closer to the demolition process, which will be scheduled once the testing and abatement process is complete.
The City of St. Albans and the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department are committed to seeing this project through to its completion, as we believe it is a critical step toward revitalizing the property and surrounding area.
We will inform the community and media about our progress towards demolishing the St. Albans Junior High Building. We look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community.
For press inquiries and more information, please contact the City of St. Albans Mayor’s Office at (304) 722-3391 or the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department at (304) 727-2962.
ORIGINAL STORY – FEBRUARY 16, 2023
St. Albans Junior High Building Moves One Step Closer to Demolition
St. Albans, WV – The long-awaited demolition of the old St. Albans Junior High Building on Kanawha Terrace is finally seeing new forward momentum. This comes on the heels of the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department adding eight more demolitions this week to the already 30 dilapidated properties being torn down, removing blight from the St. Albans community.
The most recent milestone for the Junior High project came on January 27th when the St. Albans City Council passed a resolution to acquire the property. The move was a long-awaited victory for Mayor Scott James, who has made the demolition of the Junior High and other dilapidated structures in the City a key initiative of his administration.
“This has been a long time coming,” he said. “But we’re finally making progress, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of this area.”
Since then, Mayor Scott James, along with St. Albans Building & Zoning official Marshall Chaney, has secured further funding for the project through an EPA Region 3 Brownsfield Assessment Grant. The grant will go towards proper asbestos testing and provide assistance with design and revitalization plans once the property has been properly demolished and cleared of debris.
Within a few weeks, the City of St. Albans will begin removing some 5000 tires that have been stored inside the building by the former tenant, an essential step in ensuring that all safety standards and measures are met before demolition can begin.
Once the interior has been cleared of the tires, the asbestos testing will begin, conducted by the Thrasher Group, who will then provide testing results, clearing the way for the abatement process to begin.
After the proper abatement of harmful asbestos has been completed and the interior of the building is clear of all hazards, the project will then be scheduled for demolition with the contractor.
The EPA Region 3 Brownsfield Assessment Grant will also assist with the design and revitalization of the property once demolition has been completed. Although no definitive plans have been made for the property, the City of St. Albans will let the community know its plans.
“With this help from this EPA Grant and other city funding sources, the city is continuing to move forward with its plans while not creating an extra financial burden for the city or its taxpayers,” says Chaney.
Although the most recently awarded $540,000 from the WV DEP Grant, Ready. Set. Demo. Program. cannot be used towards the Junior High Project at this time; the City is excited for the Junior High building to be included in the overall progress in cleaning up blight and moving St. Albans forward.
RELATED: WV DEP Gives Green Light to St. Albans Dilapidated Structures Initiative
Sadly, the demolition will end what was once an integral part of St. Albans’ history but has since become an eyesore for residents who have had enough of its blighted state over recent years. There is now renewed hope that this project’s final stages will finally come to fruition as it begins its long-awaited journey toward completion.
For press inquiries and more information, please contact the City of St. Albans Mayor’s Office at (304) 722-3391 or the St. Albans Building & Zoning Department at (304) 727-2962.
