Bring Them Down, Clean Them Up

Wolfe indicated that Wednesday’s activity will co-ordinate use of excavators and trucks in the same neighborhood  which had been crippled by  widespread drug dealing and drug abuse. Prior to innovating grants such as the Weed and Seed program, residents feared coming out of their houses, walking after dark, and living near a vacant house that might be torched in a series of arson fires that plagued Huntington from November 2011 to about May 2012.

 The total now moves to 14 structures demolished since the initiative stated Thursday, September 13. The city has a list of about 50 structures which with the combined help of agencies such as the  National Guard and equipment from the WV Department of Highways will be leveled. Also, participating in the near city-wide demolition clean up, the U.S. Attorneys Office, WV Governor Earl Ray Tomblin's office , and City of Huntington leaders and entities, like HURA.

 “We were well prepared and ready,” Wolfe said using Gov. Tomlin’s words. Prior to the arrival of men and excavators, HURA designated money to help with environmental issues and the city contracted out the hauling away of debris.

US Attorney Booth Goodwin said Thursday that the people that caused problems have been removed and now the structures that housed the problems will be removed.

Some of the newly vacated lots could be acquired by the Huntington Housing Authority to replace about 100 public housing units on Hal Greer Blvd. The authority hopes to build two senior citizen townhouse complexes as part of a Fairfield West redevelopment.