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New firm set to handle cleanup from BOP demolition in Weirton

WEIRTON — A new company is being tasked with the cleanup efforts along Weir Avenue following the March 9 demolition of the basic oxygen plant site in the city.

According to a statement released Wednesday by Robert Zuchlewski, chief operating officer of the Frontier Group of Companies, Panhandle Cleaning & Restoration, which had been contracted to address cleanup, was ordered demobilized from Weir Avenue at 5 p.m. Tuesday.

“This was a difficult decision but we believe it was the appropriate decision based on our experience with Panhandle C & R to date and the feedback we have received from some of the affected residents regarding Panhandle’s lack of responsiveness,” the statement reads.

Personnel from the Frontier Group of Companies have been working to inform affected residents of this change, the statement reads.

“We have hired a local company to help us with the remainder of the cleanup, window repairs and related exterior repairs,” the statement reads. “We believe this decision will expedite the completion of the Weir Avenue cleanup and get all residents back in their homes soon.”

According to the Frontier Group, the company has yet to receive any daily work sheets, unit prices or rate sheets from Panhandle Cleaning, despite numerous requests.

This is counter to media reports which stated Panhandle Cleaning had asked for a guarantee payment or insurance would be provided to cover the costs of cleanup of the Weir Avenue site.

“For Panhandle C & R to portray themselves as a victim in this situation is deplorable,” the statement from Frontier reads. “The people who need and deserve attention and help are the residents that they failed to service properly.”

Following the BOP demolition, several homes and vehicles on Weir Avenue were covered with particulate.

In addition, the force of the blast shattered windows throughout the neighborhood, allowing ash and materials to enter some of the homes.

Cleanup began the shortly after the demolition occurred, according to company officials.

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