The Kanawha County Commission is moving forward with its plan to demolish more than 100 dilapidated structures in unincorporated parts of the county.
Commissioners were to close Thursday on a $500,000, no-interest loan from the state Housing Development Fund's Property Rescue Initiative, according to a news release.
The county will match the $500,000 with $500,000 in building permit fees to raze 114 abandoned and unsafe buildings throughout the county.
"While some might question why this is so costly, there are safety and environmental codes that need to be followed," Commission President Kent Carper said in the release.
Commissioners approved the $1 million demolition program at a regular meeting in March.
The county has a demolition contract through Rodney Loftis and Son for $4.99 per square foot. Demolitions cost on average $8,800 per structure for required title searches, asbestos testing and removal and razing.
The county has spent $765,761 to demolish 87 structures in the past your years, according to the release. With the $1 million, the county plans to tear down 114 or more structures.
The first building will be demolished Monday morning in the Cross Lanes area.