The Madison County commissioners held a bid opening Aug. 29 for demolition of the former First Baptist Church on West Fourth Street in London.
(Posted Sept. 5, 2017)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Over a year ago, the Madison County commissioners applied for state funding to tear down the former First Baptist Church on West Fourth Street in London. On Aug. 29, they finally opened bids to have the work done.
The church, the oldest section of which dates back to the early 1880s, has stood vacant since 2006 when the congregation moved to a new location on Toland Street. Since then, the building has fallen into disrepair. A few years ago, the county acquired the property.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds will cover the cost of the building’s demolition. The estimated cost of the project is $65,000.
Mark Finchum Excavating of South Charleston submitted the lowest full bid, $36,826. Engle Excavating and ASC Contracting also submitted full bids of $56,300 and $52,000, respectively. Hina Environmental Solutions submitted a $12,084 bid for the asbestos abatement only. Some of the church’s drywall and window glazing contain asbestos.
Whitaker Wright of CDC of Ohio, the county’s CDBG grant administrator, said he will review the bids with London city leaders and check references before making a recommendation to the commissioners on which company to hire. Wright said the earliest he will make that recommendation is Sept. 5. Otherwise, the selection will come before the commissioners on Sept. 11.
Commissioner David Dhume said the county has no specific plans for the property once the church is torn down. He did say it will be graveled over and that it could end up as a parking lot.
