Beckley Council open bids for motel demo, approves several leases

Jan. 25—The Beckley Common Council is one step closer to ordering the demolition of the Pagoda Motel on Harper Road, which has become a public safety issue since its closure in 2021.

During their meeting Tuesday, the council opened bids from five companies looking to take on the project.

The bids ranged drastically in price, with the lowest bid coming in at $68,863 and the highest bid at nearly $250,000.

The two at-large council members, {span}Cody Reedy and Sherrie Hunter, {/span}will review the bids with city employees from relevant departments over the next few weeks and decide which company to recommend at council's next meeting in February.

Although it does not own the property, the city has been pursuing the demolition of the motel for several years due to the public safety risk the boarded-up and dilapidated motel poses.

Since its closure in 2021 due to mechanical issues, the motel has fallen even more into disrepair and is frequently sought out by vandals and squatters.

Beckley's chief code enforcement officer, Donald Morgan, said the building is no longer structurally sound and has had at least two structure fires.

"It's just a hazard to the public," Morgan said.

According to the tax map on the Raleigh County assessor's website, Singh Real Estate LLC owns the property and several surrounding parcels.

The property is now up for sale.

To recoup the funds expended on demolition, the city will place a lien on the property, which will have to be paid by any future purchaser.

Beckley Raleigh County

Convention Center contribution

In other business, council approved a $25,000 increase to its annual contribution to the Beckley Raleigh County Convention Center.

Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold said those managing the convention center requested an increase in the city's contribution due to inflation.

"Like everybody else, their costs have gone up, and if you look at the work they provide the community during the year, everything from ball games and rodeos to the Spirit of Beckley dinners — everything they do and all their costs have gone up," Rappold said.

Rappold said the city, the Raleigh County Commission and the Raleigh County Board of Education all contribute to funds to the convention center.

For the past several years, Rappold said they have each contributed $50,000 and are now all being asked to increase their contributions to $75,000.

The Raleigh County Commission approved the increase to its annual contribution to the convention center at its meeting Tuesday.

The school board has yet to take up the measure for a vote.

New River Transit Authority lease

Council approved the extension and renewal of the city's lease with the New River Transit Authority, which allows the organization to operate out of the bottom floor of the Beckley Intermodal Gateway on Neville Street in Beckley.

Beckley City Attorney Bill File said the lease is the same as in past years and has been extended for two years (Jan 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2025) for $49,062 each year.

File went on to explain that the New River Transit Authority does not actually pay the amount stated in the lease but that the lease is in place so that the New River Transit Authority can apply for and receive certain federal grants.

"What it is, is the city doesn't actually receive cash. It's an in-kind payment the city makes by letting them use that property," File said. "The city does not technically receive it, but the in-kind is valued at that amount that I stated. That way, they can apply for certain federal grants that require a lease and require in-kind contributions from the city."

The city contributes $77,000 to the New River Transit Authority each year.

WVVA lease

Council approved the extension and renewal of a lease with Gray Media, which owns WVVA and operates out of the WJLS building at 101 Main St. in Beckley.

For the 12-month lease, Gray Media would pay $2,510 per month to rent the space from the city as well as $120 per month to rent three parking spaces outside of the building.

The city came into possession of the WJLS building in 2022 after a local family donated it.

Sale of Robert C. Byrd Drive property

Council approved the sale of a property at 3082 Robert C. Byrd Drive in Beckley.

File said the property was bought by a company called 3082 RCB LLC for $27,500.

The property was sold during a public auction on Dec. 14.

Email: jmoore@register-herald.com