Karen Weber, Brownfields Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, gave an informative presentation this evening at the Clifton Forge Community Gathering meeting held at the Masonic Underground.

BAD Buildings Project Surges Ahead in Clifton Forge By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer   Clifton Forge, VA (Apr. 16, 2026)- It was a lively night Thursday at the Historic Masonic Underground. This evening, Karen Weber, Brownfields Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, offered attendees and interesting presentation where she discussed the BAD buildings project and how that project is expected to positively impact the town of Clifton Forge. As a reminder, the West Virginia University (WVU) BAD (Brownfields, Abandoned, Dilapidated) Buildings project "...is a statewide initiative of the WV Brownfields Assistance Center to provide communities with a step-by-step process, technical assistance, and site analysis tools to develop or enhance local abandoned and dilapidated buildings revitalization efforts." Weber, accompanied by Jared Stewart, Community Development Associate for WVU, gave a brief presentation which consisted of giving information to residents about the condition of several local buildings and inviting audience participation to discuss potential solutions. The BAD Buildings project, led by Weber and her team, hopes to assist the town of Clifton Forge in revitalization efforts to restore downtown buildings which can be restored, while simultaneously tearing down those which may pose health hazards if left untouched. One building of particular interest is located at 1101 Church Street which, the Journal learned, was the original Jefferson School building. The Alleghany Journal was on-hand to record the entirety of the event, despite a few snags in tonight's livestream.

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