Dilapidated properties to be torn down  in four towns

PROCTORVILLE — The Lawrence County Land Bank has scheduled a demolition day for June 19 to kick off the tearing down of dilapidated buildings in the county.

County Treasurer Stephen Dale Burcham, who serves as chairman of the land bank’s board, spoke at Thursday’s meeting of Proctorville Village Council and said that, on the demolition date, four structures would be knocked down at locations in Proctorville, Ironton, Chesapeake and Burlington.

“We want to make a significant impact on that day,” Burcham said.

He said the properties selected would be those that have already passed an asbestos test.

In Proctorville, he said the land bank will tear down structures at 22 Front Street and 205 Elizabeth Street in the first round of demolitions.

Four additional properties are currently going through the judicial process for demolition at 203 Chestnut Street, 202 Wilgus Street, 205 Jones Street and 216 Susan Street.

While there are other properties in the village that Mayor Rick Dunfee and members of council have expressed interest in having demolished, Burcham said, at the moment, nothing can be done on these properties as the taxes are paid.

In order to be demolished by the land bank, taxes must be delinquent for at least one year.

“If they’re not delinquent or abandoned, it requires action to be taken by the county commission,” he said.

He said the properties will be brought up to construction grade and put up for bids.

“The program is designed to be self-sufficient,” Burcham said, stating that the sales would pay for the land bank’s operation and allow it to purchase properties that don’t qualify for federal reimbursement, such as commercial structures.

In other business, the council:

-Voted to approve a $5 vehicle license fee.

-Voted to approve the purchase of a police cruiser from a Columbus surplus provider for $1,000.

-Approved a fee for credit card transactions for residents to pay village fines. The cost is to offset the cost of the use of a credit card machine, fiscal officer Darrell Legg said.