Fayette County agrees to fund up to 80% of Gatewood trailer demolition, contingent on owner plan

The Fayette County Commission voted to fund up to 80% of the cost to demolish 16 dilapidated trailers at a Gatewood mobile home park, not to exceed $32,000, and conditioned the assistance on a written plan from the property owner and a contractor quote.

The decision followed a public presentation by the property owner, who said he has removed some units himself, collected neighborhood support signatures and intends to keep the site as housing. The commission said public-safety and health concerns at the site and the county’s housing shortage supported limited financial help.

Commissioners asked the owner to submit a short written plan describing intended reuse of the property and to obtain an updated bid from Empire Salvage; the county said it would pay Empire directly and the owner would pay the remainder. The commission directed staff to verify contractor paperwork before issuing funds.

Commission discussion noted the owner provided about 60 local signatures backing the effort and that remaining units posed safety and health risks; commissioners said the county did not consider the site eligible under the REAP program but would use coal-severance funds for the contribution.

No detailed timeline for demolition was set; commissioners said they would verify the low bid and contractor qualifications before releasing money. The commission recorded the motion, second and a voice vote of “Aye.”

The owner said he intends to modernize the park and possibly add newer manufactured homes; commissioners emphasized they need a written plan and updated contractor quote before payment.