Slack Street building in Charleston comes down

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Demolition of the Slack Street Recycling Center in Charleston began Tuesday.

Board members of the Kanawha County Solid Waste Authority held a press conference at the site before demolition took place.

Kanawha County Commissioner Dave Hardy said tearing down the old building is the first step towards a new recycling program.

“We have decided to turn our recycling program around here in our county and make it sustainable and bring it into the 21st century,” said Hardy.

Rodney Loftis and Son was chosen as the contractor for the job who bid a low cost of $54,000. SWA board members said Rodney offered a low price because he wanted to give back to the community.

“Rodney’s taking it down for cost. He’s not making a dollar on it,” said Hardy.

The over 100-year-old building will be turned into a new, smaller building. James Young, the authority executive director, said they will give back as much as they can by recycling parts, using what they can, and reselling what they cannot use.

“This is a great piece of property. It’s a great location,” Hardy said.

SWA is hoping to make an announcement about new facility plans within the next three to six months.