WEIRTON, WV -- Weirton Steel Corporation is auctioning several pieces of company property to help pay some of the company's creditors before a buyout by International Steel Group is finalized.

Company spokesman Gregg Warren tells NEWS 9 the company will auction off about a dozen pieces of property. 305 acres next to the Three Springs Industrial Park, 20 acres surrounding Weirton Steel corporate headquarters as well as four properties along Freedom Way will be sold. The corporate lodge which is adjacent to Williams Country Club will also go up for auction, and the company also plans to auction Brown's Island which is the former site of the company's coke plant.

Many Weirton city leaders say they hope to bring development to the vacant properties.

If Weirton Steel doesn't sell its non-operational assets, International Steel Group will assume ownership of them as part of the sale agreement. The sale agreement could take place in April.

-Danielle Frizzi, NEWS 9