A long-awaited revival of the Waldo Hotel could be in the works, but officials are keeping the details under wraps.
At its upcoming meeting on Thursday, Clarksburg City Council will consider an economic development agreement related to the “Waldo Complex,” according to the published agenda. However, beyond that, little information has been made available to the public.
When asked about the agreement, Mayor Jim Malfregeot and Councilman Marc Jackson declined to provide specifics and instead directed questions to City Manager Tiffany Fell, who has yet to respond to requests for comment.
City officials have previously acknowledged interest in rehabilitating the Waldo Hotel, and earlier this year, efforts were made to acquire the property from Vandalia Heritage Foundation to facilitate environmental site testing. That initiative is being supported through grant funding from the West Virginia Brownfields Assistance Program.
The site, which has been largely inactive for decades, has lacked modern environmental assessments, including asbestos testing, raising questions about potential challenges in redevelopment. More recently, survey crews have been observed at the property, suggesting that preparatory work may already be underway.
A formal statement regarding the Waldo Hotel project was expected, though no official announcement had been issued as of this writing.
Other Items on the Council Agenda
In addition to discussions on the Waldo Hotel, City Council will hold second and final readings for several proposed ordinances.
🔹 Expanded Authority for Business Tax Collections
A proposed amendment to the business and taxation code would allow additional city officials to pursue unpaid business fees and taxes. Currently, only the director of finance has the authority to take action. If passed, the chief of police, city manager, and designated officials could also initiate collections. Failure to resolve outstanding payments could ultimately lead to foreclosure proceedings.
🔹 Increased Fees for Vacant Properties
Another ordinance would update the vacant building registration program, increasing fees for properties that remain empty for extended periods.
The current system charges property owners $200 in the first year, escalating to $1,600 after five years. Under the proposed changes, initial charges would range from $250 to $750, depending on whether a property is categorized as vacant, abandoned, or open.
New penalties under consideration include:
🔸 $1,000 fines for open properties that remain on the registry for six months or more.
🔸 $1,000 fines for vacant or abandoned properties listed for 12 consecutive months.
🔸 After 12 months, property owners would incur a daily fine of $20.
City leaders argue that these adjustments would create a stronger incentive for property owners to restore, repurpose, or sell underutilized buildings rather than allowing them to sit vacant.
What’s Next?
The council meeting on Thursday may shed more light on the future of the Waldo Hotel and the broader efforts to enforce tax compliance and reduce vacant properties. Until then, questions remain about what’s next for one of Clarksburg’s most iconic landmarks.
The city broadcasts the meetings live on Youtube if you want to watch it, they are also available to view later on their Youtube page. https://www.youtube.com/@cityofclarksburgwv
