OAK HILL, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The City of Oak Hill is exploring the possibility of acquiring the former Collins Middle School property, which has remained vacant for nearly a decade.
To navigate the legal complexities of the acquisition, the city has retained Charleston-based attorney Michael W. Taylor of the Pence Law Firm.
Taylor has been tasked with determining the current ownership status of the property and identifying potential avenues for the city to obtain it.
The property was previously owned by the Fayette County Board of Education (BOE) while it housed Collins High School and later Collins Middle School.
However, after the middle school was condemned and closed in 2015, ownership reverted to the Collins estate under the terms of a prior agreement.
Taylor informed city officials that the property’s legal status remains uncertain and may need to be resolved in court.
The Fayette County BOE continues to use the property to store county school buses.
During a workshop on Monday evening, Taylor presented information to the Oak Hill City Council outlining a potential path for the city to assume control of the site.
The discussion comes amid growing concerns over the property’s deteriorating condition, with many residents considering it an eyesore.
One possible approach, Taylor explained, is for the city to establish a land reuse agency (LRA) to facilitate the acquisition and redevelopment of the property.
In West Virginia, LRAs are typically responsible for repurposing abandoned or blighted properties, often working to revitalize communities, promote economic development, and improve public safety.
While LRAs offer significant benefits, Taylor noted that they face potential challenges, including the lack of a guaranteed funding source.
Instead, they must secure funding through federal and private grants, as well as possible allocations from city or county governments.
Although Fayette County already has an LRA, Taylor suggested that Oak Hill consider forming its own agency to maintain greater control and accountability over the property’s redevelopment.
However, collaboration with the county remains an option if both parties agree.
Once acquired and cleaned, the property could be redeveloped for various uses, including residential housing, commercial projects, or green spaces, with input from urban planners, developers, and community stakeholders.
No formal decisions were made during the workshop, and discussions are expected to continue.
The next regularly scheduled Oak Hill City Council meeting is set for April 14, 2025.
