City presents land-use agency plan to repurpose vacant school buildings with Harrison County Schools

A city presenter described plans to use a land‑use agency to acquire vacant and abandoned properties — including former school buildings — and convert them into community assets, saying the agency is a “specialized government entity under article 181” of state law and is authorized under the West Virginia Code.

The presenter told the council and the board of education that the agency could acquire properties through tax sales, post‑sale purchases of unsold parcels, donations and other transfers, and that it would have legal tools ‘‘to clear titles and file liens,’’ borrow funds, issue bonds and form partnerships with municipalities, developers and nonprofits. “We want to create partnerships with our stakeholders,” the presenter said, adding that some properties may be demolished, remediated or rehabilitated depending on condition.

Why it matters: Officials said abandoned school buildings can create safety and fiscal burdens for the community. The presenter cited neighborhood effects often described as the “broken‑window theory,” saying neighboring property values can decline by roughly 15–20% near visibly abandoned buildings. The presentation said emergency response and environmental remediation costs can be significant — “typically range between $500,000 for large buildings,” the presenter said — and noted funding sources that might reduce redevelopment costs, including brownfield grants, historic‑preservation tax credits and economic development incentives.

Scope and legal limits: The presenter and board members discussed how properties owned by the school board could be handled. City staff said properties conveyed from the board of education would not be subject to some of the same waiting procedures as tax‑sale acquisitions but emphasized that any transfer would be governed by the transfer agreement and by council action. The presenter said transfer agreements can include conditions and restrictions — for example, a 36‑month period with a requirement to reach about 50% rehabilitation progress; if conditions are not met the property could revert under the terms of the agreement.

Developer interest and constraints: Councilors and board representatives said renovation costs for older school buildings can exceed replacement costs and that the city and school board cannot simply award a property to a preferred developer. Prior transfer agreements may include revenue‑sharing clauses or reversion language; the board said auction and agreement terms differ by case and that legal counsel would need to review specific transfers.

Community uses and phasing: The presenter proposed repurposing some sites for community and recreational uses, naming Washington Middle School and a listed elementary school as properties of interest. A sketch plan discussed phased development — starting with a primary athletic field and parking, then adding amenities such as a pump track and additional fields — and suggested the parks department or another operating entity could run completed facilities under a shared‑use arrangement with the schools.

Funding and ownership questions: Officials discussed options including dedicating sales‑tax funds, applying for grants, using 30‑year bond financing and involving the county. Councilors noted the city cannot carry certain debts directly, meaning ownership and bond structures would need bond‑counsel review and possibly involvement by a building commission or similar vehicle.

Public comments and local priorities: Residents and councilors emphasized youth programming and economic development as central goals; speakers urged using redeveloped sites to provide activities that may keep younger people in the community.

Next steps: Officials agreed to draft a proposed agreement for review and reconvene — a regular meeting was suggested for the 31st to continue the discussion and to include council and board members. No formal motion or vote on property transfers or agency formation was recorded in the provided transcript.

Funding, legal and operational limits would need further clarification in the draft agreement and by the city and school board's legal counsel before any transfer or sale occurs.