WHEELING, W.Va. –

The city of Wheeling is planning to allow Edgeco, Inc. of Lansing to begin asbestos removal on the former Imperial Pools building at the corner of 14th and McColloch streets in east Wheeling.

"There were talks for a long time from our preservation group about saving the building, but those stopped. It was just not possible to revitalize the building," said City Manager Robert Herron.

The building, which has sat vacant for close to 20 years, is falling apart.

"The outside walls are intact, but the roof is partially collapsed, the floors are not safe to walk on, and quite frankly it is a mess inside and out, as well as an eyesore," said Herron.

Formerly the Jefferson School, the last known business to occupy the structure was Imperial Pools.

Meanwhile, Herron said that American Electric Power will be in the process of removing all electrical poles and lines from the proposed J.B. Chambers recreational complex.

"They have a substantial amount of work to do. They not only have to remove all the lines on the property, but take out all the times that would go under the field, not to mention re-routing all the power," said Herron.

As for when a general contracting bid would be placed on the table, Herron said that the city is still in the works of acquiring donations for the million-dollar complex. He said that the announcement of donors will come at the discretion of city council.