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West Virginia University WVU BAD Buildings

FAQ

Who Can Initiate A BAD Buildings Team?
To get started in a community, WVU BAD Buildings is looking for strong, local champions to kick off a team. These local champions can be representatives of a number of entities, including:
  • Unit of local government
  • Non-profit organization
  • Government entity created by State Legislature
  • Community organization
  • Redevelopment agency
Communities that have an existing abandoned/dilapidated buildings program are encouraged to apply. 

Program Definitions

Abandoned: owner has given up responsibility for the property

BAD Building: Brownfield, Abandoned, Dilapidated. BAD Buildings are structures and properties that are vacant, uninhabited and in a state of disrepair, whose owner is taking no active steps to bring the property back into functional use

BAD Buildings Inventory: the compilation of all properties surveyed and parcel data researched

BAD Buildings Survey: a preliminary visual survey of all properties within the target area to identify potential BAD Buildings

BAD Buildings Team: a volunteer team comprised of local citizens, elected officials, and other stakeholders

blight: areas composed of vacant lots, abandoned buildings, and houses in derelict or dangerous shape, as well as environmental contamination

brownfield: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency  (EPA) defines a  brownfield as “real property, the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.” With over 450,000 estimated brownfields in the U.S., the challenge to transform these properties into more attractive, useable sites is being addressed all over the country.

dilapidated: properties with significant aesthetic or structural impairments

vacant: owner does not occupy/cannot find tenants for the property