The state sold the hospital Wednesday afternoon. But it took the state years to decide what to do with the property.

It's been empty and deteriorating since it closed in the 1990s. In 1999, more than a dozen people, including several police officers, played paintball in the main building, causing thousands of dollars in damage.

In 2004, there was a major push to turn the site into a casino. Lewis County voters approved the proposal but the state rejected the idea.

Eventually, the State Fire Marshal closed the building.

And it's been empty ever since.

The State Division of Health and Human Resources decided to auction the property off and held on open house last month so potential bidders could see it for themselves.

On Wednesday it took about eight minutes to finally sell the property. When the auction was over, it was sold for $1.5 million.

Who put in the highest bid? Joe Jordan, an asbestos abatement contractor from Morgantown.

After winning, Jordan took a light hearted approach to the auction. He may joke about his bid, but Jordan knows exactly what he wants to do.

Jordan said he will not tear down the main hospital building. The bid will now go back to the state for its approval.

DHHR reps at the auction said they are just happy that something can finally be done with the site.

The next highest bidder was a Pittsburgh resident. Her bid was $1.4 million.

It seemed the whole city of Weston came out to see the auction. The steps in front of the courthouse were lined with residents, media and folks who just stopped by out of curiosity.

Weston's newly-elected mayor said she is relieved to be done with the auction and was happy to see that people came out to bid on the property.

Jordan said he wants to rent out parts of the site to the state for storage. He also says he is looking for groups interested in the project.