Residents of Northcott Look Forward to New Housing

A 70-year-old public housing complex in Huntington is being torn down. The city has decided to demolish the facility that’s long been considered an eye-sore.

As visitors to Huntington enter the city from Hal Greer Boulevard they’re greeted by a set of unattractive square brick buildings. The apartments, known as Northcott Court, were named in honor of GustavaisAdolhusNorthcott, a civic leader, president of the State Senate during 1905-1906 and early director of the First Huntington National Bank.

Credit Clark Davis

/

The units were completed and ready for occupancy on August 30^th, 1940. Before demolition began, there were 59 one-bedroom units, 52 two-bedroom units and 15 three-bedroom units.

Late last year the Huntington, West Virginia Housing Authority began moving some of the residents out and the first demolitions began in September.  Cleanup is underway now.

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said Northcott has rarely been updated since it was built in the 1940’s.

Residents are being moved into other single family or duplex homes within the same neighborhood. The Housing Authority also plans to build two new, 40-unit townhouse complexes in the area.

The city hopes to attract businesses and create a commercial space that might include a grocery store or restaurants.

Credit Clark Davis

/

Plans for the demolition of Northcott have been in the works for years, but Huntington City Council only officially approved it in June 2013. The entire demolition project could take up to three years.