Published: July 22, 2008 09:00 pm      

Welch project takes aim at damaged, decaying structures

WELCH — City officials are continuing to make progress on a long-term demolition project targeting dilapidated and flood-damaged structures in Welch.

Three large structures, including an old apartment building, were demolished last week, Welch Mayor Martha Moore said.

The city is hoping to demolish 94 structures in all, including many dilapidated structures that represent potential threats to public safety. Moore said others are eyesores, and some are structures that were damaged during the 2001 and 2002 floods.

Moore said the demolition project is another step in the city’s ongoing economic development growth. Several recent projects in the city have included a new theater and a new Department of Motor Vehicles office. A new $232 million federal prison project also is being constructed in the city limits at the Indian Ridge Industrial Park. Construction workers building the prison are currently spending money in restaurants and convenience stores in the city.

“We can’t get better until we get rid of the negatives that are still here,” Moore said. “People don’t want to come to communities that are eyesores.”

Moore said the city is contracting out the demolition projects. The city’s work is in addition to a separate demolition project being completed across the county by the McDowell County Redevelopment Authority and the McDowell County Commission.

“We hope to have them all down within the year,” Moore said of the structures located within the city limits of Welch.

The city has several ideas for the sites of the demolished structures, including a large riverfront park project.

The city was expected to receive more bids Wednesday for additional demolition projects.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com