St. Albans makes progress with goal of clearing vacant buildings

Dozens of dilapidated structures in St. Albans are being demolished and city officials are now issuing search warrants to expedite the process. Mayor Scott James said more than 40 dilapidated structures have been taken down in the city, with the help from funds from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.Search warrant allow the building inspector to go in and do the search along with the fire marshal. James said the search warrant avoids navigation of the court system, which takes extra time. The building inspector will either determine the property can be saved or if it needs to be condemned. James told Eyewitness News a lien will be put on the property if the building is condemned and the property owner does not pay for the cost of tearing it down.