Long-Standing Area Eyesore Scheduled for Demolition Monday as Officials Set to Gather to See its Demise

Last month, the City of Fairmont announced it had secured a grant for $450,000 to be used for the demolition of the former box factory, which was recently acquired by the City.  Earlier this week, Fairmont officials announced the demolition has been scheduled.

The grant that put the final places in piece was awarded through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and its Dilapidated Properties Program (DLAP).

“The demolition of the Fairmont Box Factory is a major step toward revitalization in the Beltline District, and we’re proud to support the City of Fairmont in this effort,” said WVDEP Secretary Harold Ward said in March. “While this project is an exception to the hundreds of traditional demolitions funded through DLAP, it exemplifies our program’s mission of turning liabilities into opportunities—one dilapidated property at a time. With $918,000 in total DLAP funding, Fairmont continues to make significant progress in reclaiming and repurposing blighted properties to strengthen its community. We are grateful for Governor Morrisey’s support of this program, as it continues making a positive impact across West Virginia.”

The City has already scheduled demolition through its existing demolition contract with Reclaim Company. The total cost of the demolition has been established to be $750,000. Reclaim and the City have agreed to this price. The $450,000 grant will go directly to this cost.

“The City is committed to removing blighted structures, big and small. We’re also committed to removing these structures without increasing the cost burden on Fairmont residents,” City Manager Travis Blosser said last month. “We appreciate WVDEP for approving this increase in our allocation and Gov. Patrick Morrisey for his continuation of this program.”

This $450,000 is in addition to the $468,000 that the City of Fairmont was already awarded through WVDEP’s DLAP program that funds the demolition of derelict structures around the city. This new allotment will not hamper the City’s existing demolition program nor inhibit the demolition of blighted structures Fairmont has already identified.