In this June 20, 2013 file photo, Vic Bonagofski stands alongside his bicycle which he would typically be seen riding around the Twin Cities pulling a wagon.
Lewis County announced plans this week to clean up a property formerly owned by controversial Centralia recycler and hoarder Vic Bonagofski.
The county’s Environmental Services department and Solid Waste Division plan to begin removing “debris” from the property at 1303 West Reynolds Ave. on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
The property is now owned by the county in trust.
Bonagofski was regularly accused of county code violations at the property, where he collected scrap metal, cardboard and other recyclables.
Bonagofski died in 2015 at 72 years old after being hit by a grain train at a Centralia railroad crossing.
Bonagofski was on a bicycle when he fell on the tracks as the train was approaching, according to authorities at the time.
Hulk vehicles and scrap metals have already been removed from the property.
“We are striving to recycle as much as possible — that’s our goal — and material not recyclable will be disposed of at the Central Transfer Station in Centralia,” Steve Skinner, Lewis County Solid Waste Manager, wrote in a statement.
County officials estimate the cleanup project will take three to four weeks to complete. Lewis County Environmental Services, a division of Public Health and Social Services, Solid Waste and Lewis County Public Works are undertaking the project together.
