If the city’s lowest demolition bidder stays on budget to the numbers revealed in its bid Friday afternoon, Chester Mayor Ed Wedgewood told councilmembers that the city should have no out-of-pocket associated with its 15-building demolition project.

All members were present when council met in special session Friday to open the bids.

Juszcak Development was the low bidder with $110,800 for the abatement and demolition of the structures, which Wedgewood explained breaks down to around down to just under $8,000 per building.

The addresses on Chester’s list included:

— 233 Ferry St.

— 144 Montana Ave.

–1120 Collins Memorial Drive

— 135 and 184 Alley G.

— 201 and 204 Indiana Ave.

— 272 Louisiana Ave.

–164 and 190 Martins Ave.

— 63 Phaeton Ave.

–166,174, 200 and 228 Fairview Ave.

Wedgewood said the majority of properties required very minor asbestos abatement, although two were considered “hot” once testing was completed.

Two of the firms who had done work for the testing city, Aster Oilfield Services of Bellaire ($127,000) and Reclaim Co. of Fairmont, W.Va., ($154,100), had submitted bids. Aster had submitted the second lowest bid.

Other bidders were Six Enterprises of Chester, who also has previous done work for the city with a $140,000 bid; HJF Demolition, which provided no proof a WV license with a $168,000; Pusateri Excavating in East Liverpool, $196,050;

The high bid was Pulice Demolition of Weirton at $293,503.

In other action at the special meeting, council voted to approve both the resolution to extend its BAN ordinance for the Chester Water Department water system improvement project and the second amendment to the city’s combined waterworks and sewerage system bond anticipation notes.

Wedgewood told council that they only received one late bid for the ir project and it was over budget, so it was rejected.

The bond note currently is set to expire Dec. 1, meaning the city would owe $800,000 if not extended.

Council next meets at 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 5, 2025, as there is no regular December meeting.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com