Summers County has sharpened its focus on dilapidated structures, supported by funding and a clearly defined process aimed at protecting property values and public safety.
The county was awarded $201,000 in 2024 specifically for the removal of dilapidated structures. As of last week, most of the previous round of demolitions has been completed to expend the remaining funds from that award.
The original funding facilitated the removal of 29 structures, and officials anticipate another round of funding will open in the near future, with plans to apply promptly. There is no overlap between the Summers County Dilapidated Structures Committee and the City of Hinton’s separate Dilapidated Structures Committee.
In 2022, the Region I Planning & Development Council identified 283 dilapidated structures county-wide, including those within city limits; Summers County has since added several others beyond the original report. Of the 283 identified structures, 56 were located within city limits and were not under the Summers County committee’s purview. Among the properties the Summers County committee is actively tracking, 39 structures have been demolished in recent years, with demolitions carried out both by owners and by the county.
Demolished properties do not transfer to the county; they remain associated with the original owner. When grant funding through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Dilapidated Properties Program (DLAP) is used, an encumbrance is placed on the property, typically in the form of a lien equal to the demolition costs. The Commission has implemented a lien-reduction policy: the lien amount can be reduced over time for property owners who cooperated to provide access for demolition and who meet ongoing maintenance requirements after the demolition is completed.
The Dilapidated Structures Committee has identified properties in need of removal and has provided recommendations to the County Commission. For questions about the program, contact Summers County County Administrator, Lisa Eads.
