New Charleston Bills Move to Remove Abandoned Building

The mayor of West Virginia’s capital city wants to try out new ways to deal with vacant and abandoned properties that have drawn the ire of residents. 

Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin on Monday announced the introduction of two bills will help clean up abandoned buildings in the city. She says residents complain to her office every day about the vacant properties.

The Mayor delivered two bills to City Council yesterday – one increasing fines on vacant properties and one establishing a Land Reuse Agency (LRA). The LRA would help manage blighted properties throughout Charleston. While demolitions will continue, the LRA would also encourage the rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings.

City Council referred the bills to committees in the meeting.