County moves to advertise demolition after collapsed structure in Shinnston; DEP notice to proceed required

County staff told the Harrison County Commission on July 9 that they had received a scope of work from McKinley (consultant) and had delivered a memorandum of understanding to the city of Shinnston to remove a collapsed structure. The administrator said staff planned to advertise the work and to open bids on-site, then forward award paperwork to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection for a notice to proceed.

The administrator said the county had involved the Department of Health in discussions and intended to advertise in the newspaper and on the county bid schedule; if bids were available on short notice, staff planned to open them on-site and award the work to allow contractors to prepare while the DEP processes the notice to proceed. Commissioners pressed staff to ensure paperwork is complete so the county is not left unable to act once bids are awarded.

The administrator also said staff were checking if the property owner carried insurance and that the county would pursue appropriate cost-sharing, including potential liens or owner contributions where applicable. The commission did not vote to award demolition at the meeting; members instructed staff to proceed with advertising and to return with bid results and DEP paperwork.