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By Kristen Hainkel
Staff Reporter
PARKERSBURG -- The Parkersburg Urban Renewal Authority voted 7-0 to accept an application from Wayne Waldeck and Wal-Bon Inc. to purchase a 12,750-square-foot lot at 19th Street and St. Marys Avenue for $25,600.
Co-owner Bill Waldeck attended the meeting as a representative of Wal-Bon. He said they plan to build a new McHappy's location on the lot.
"We care about Parkersburg. We were born and raised here," he said. "If you so desire us to have this, we will develop it and take care of it."
Wal-Bon owns Napoil's and McHappy's locations around the area.
Councilmember Sharon Kuhl asked Waldeck when they planned to break ground. As soon as the necessary permits are obtained, he replied.
The URA also voted to tear down the structure at 1331 Market St. City Planner Connor LaVelle said the property was obtained by the URA via eminent domain, a process that concluded in February.
Resident Terri Miller, of 1333 Market St., spoke in support of demolition.
"I feel like it needs to come down. It hasn't been inhabited for over 20 years. I call it the derelict house," she said.
The authority unanimously approved the demolition of 1109 13th St. LaVelle said the home was damaged in a structure fire and purchased by the URA for $2,000.
They also approved an application from William Lockhart to purchase 903 E. 12th St.
Another application submitted by Cecila Galluccio to purchase 1627 Park Ave. generated discussion. LaVelle said the applicant's bid is $1,000 and the property is 4,800 square feet. It was acquired by the URA through eminent domain in 2023.
Councilmember Jesse Cottrille said she needed to recuse herself from the vote and temporarily left the room.
Kuhl said she understood the applicant was not the owner of the adjacent property. She wanted to know why that property owner didn't fill out the application and neither party was present at the meeting.
"I don't want to speak for the applicant, but I will say the applicant is, I believe, the daughter of the property owner," LaVelle said. "In her application, they stated that they live at the property and have a younger sibling who would like to play in the yard and have a dog."
The URA voted 5-1, with Kuhl voting against the application.
LaVelle said Development Director Ryan Barber has released a request for proposals on 714 Market St.
An open house will occur Friday at 1 p.m. and proposals are due April 12.
Members Mike Reynolds and Chris Rexroad were absent.
Kristen Hainkel can be contacted at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com