By Ben Fields
The Herald-Dispatch
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A plan for improving the face of Huntington and the quality of life for its residents that has been on the shelf for the better part of the past two years has finally gotten a green light.
Mayor Steve Williams announced that funds have been approved for the demolition of Northcott Court, one of the oldest housing units under the care of the Huntington Housing Authority.
Williams made the announcement during a Huntington City Council meeting Monday.
The Housing Authority plans to demolish the aging public housing complex along Hal Greer Boulevard, replacing it with two, 40-unit senior townhouse complexes and 50 individual units, most of which are scattered throughout the Fairfield West area of the city.
“The Housing Authority is going to, as this plan is put in place, relocate those individuals living in Northcott while the demolition takes place,” Williams said. “Then, if they want to come back — and I suspect they will, because there are a lot of families over there — they can come back.”
Williams said other plans for the area include a grocery store and other commercial development.
“I think it’s important that we get started on the demolition, so we can show people that progress is being made,” Williams said.
A timeline isn’t yet certain. Williams estimated the Housing Authority, headed up by Bill Dotson, would begin to relocate residents by the spring or early summer…
