The old Beckley Newspaper building on Prince Street in Beckley.
BECKLEY, W.Va. — The City of Beckley has proposed the demolition of the old Beckley Newspapers building which sits empty inside the city’s downtown historic district, but is being met with opposition from the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.
“It’s a hazard to the public,” Mayor Bill O’Brien said of the brick building at 345 Prince Street. “It’s in terrible condition and has been unoccupied for many, many years. It’s an eyesore and I feel it’s a detriment to the community.”
The Beckley Newspapers site was once home to The Raleigh Register and Beckley Post-Herald — encompassing two buildings, 343 and 345 Prince Street. Only the latter is being proposed for demolition. The former is occupied by Gorman, Sheatsley and Company law firm.
The building, purchased in June 2011 by Preston Investments LLC of Daniels for $177,000, is now appraised at $55,000 according to the Raleigh County Assessor’s Office. Hugh M. Caperton and Kathy Haynes Caperton are the managers of Preston Investments LLC, but their business license has been revoked…
