Posted Wednesday, April 6, 2022.

HUNTINGTON – Demolition of a building in downtown Huntington that has been deemed unsafe will begin the week of Monday, April 11.

Following a competitive bid process, the Huntington Board of Public Works & Safety voted unanimously during its April 4 meeting to award the demolition contract to Kreager Group Inc. for the structure at 201 W. State St. The building is located across from The LaFontaine Center and has been vacant for several years.

“Given its years of neglect, the property was deemed to be beyond saving with its roof, first and second floors all partially collapsed in the rear, making demolition the only viable option,” City of Huntington Building Commissioner Shad Paul said.

The property has been subject to numerous Orders of Enforcement issued by the Board of Public Works & Safety dating back to 2008. It fell into further disrepair after the property owner’s death in 2018.

As part of a subsequent Order of Enforcement issued in 2019, the City of Huntington obtained a structural analysis of the property from contracted engineering and architectural firms, who concluded the building was beyond repair and recommended demolition. The City took control of the property in February 2022 to resolve the ownership situation.

On-street parking will be restricted after work begins, and the sidewalk on the south side of West State Street will be closed to ensure the safety of workers and pedestrians. Demolition and cleanup at the site is expected to be completed within about two weeks.

No future uses have been determined at this time for the site. The City of Huntington has worked with adjacent building owners to identify solutions and stabilize their properties during their demolition.

Separately, a private project in the 400 block of North Jefferson Street will restrict parking and intermittently alter traffic for the demolition of 441 N. Jefferson St. to make way for new construction. Preparatory work for this project is already under way.