(Photo by Shelley Hanson) The future new Moundsville Municipal Building is shown on Tuesday. Work still remains at a standstill following the contractor filing for bankruptcy. But officials are taking steps to secure a new general contractor so the $12.5 million project can be completed.

MOUNDSVILLE – Construction work on the new Moundsville Municipal Building remains at a standstill, but steps are being taken to secure a new contractor for the job.

Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy gave City Council an update on the building this week. Work stopped on the building after the general contractor, &build, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Since the project was bonded, the bonding company must find another general contractor for the job.

He said a meeting was held last Wednesday to get the process going that included the architect, engineer, the city’s attorney, construction attorney and the bonding company.

Work on a takeover agreement is underway.

“The takeover agreement will allow the bonding company to assign a new general contractor to take over,” Healy said. “The attorneys are working on the verbiage in that agreement and then that will allow the steps to move forward.”

He noted a full building inspection is also being scheduled.

“The architect is going to be doing one on Friday and then they’re scheduling a full inspection once we have the general contractor on board to go through the building so we can determine the actual phase of the building as well as any quality control issues,” Healy said.

He noted the money draws and payments for the project are being reviewed, too.

“We’re continuing to work with all parties to ensure the work is restarted as quickly as possible while still maintaining the best interests of the city,” he said.

Construction of the $12.5 million Moundsville Municipal Building began in September 2022. The building will house city offices and the fire and police departments. It will also feature a drive-through for paying utility bills.