State of the City FOLO

Four major city development projects set to unfold in the next decade may strengthen Huntington’s commercial infrastructure, while increasing the traffic to downtown Huntington.

The projects, outlined by Huntington Mayor Steve Williams in his recent State of the City address, are designed to bring commercial, retail and housing developments to underused and inefficiently-used city spaces.

The four major projects being discussed are the Hal Greer Boulevard corridor, the River to Rail area on the west end of Huntington, the industrial area between Marshall University and the Highlawn neighborhood and the creation of high-speed broadband Internet access throughout the city. In his address, Williams said the combination of these projects will provide the greatest economic expansion opportunity our city has seen since the 1940s.

Two projects have moved past the discussion stage. The first phase of demolition of Northcott Court, part of the Hal Greer Boulevard corridor, was completed in September. Efforts to deploy high-speed broadband Internet throughout the city were accelerated after the West Virginia Broadband Deployment Council chose Huntington to participate in a study about the feasibility of high-speed broadband Internet implementation.

According to Williams, the redevelopment of the area between Marshall and Highlawn will provide the longest-lasting impact for the city.

“You transform that part of the city, and then Huntington becomes a totally different player in the Ohio River valley,” Williams said.

A surprise development project Williams announced in his address is the redevelopment of Riverfront Park as an area for commerce. Possible construction projects include a state-of-the-art, 260-slip marina, a boardwalk with retail facilities and restaurants and RV riverside camping facilities. The Riverfront Park project is estimated to take six to 10 years to complete.

Large redevelopment projects mean large financial spending for a city that, in the coming year, is projected to lose revenue. Financing for each of the projects has not been outlined yet, but it is likely that the city will seek both state and national grants to help finance the projects. (More research, interviews)

Funding for the Riverfront Park project has been outlined. The project will be financed by a public-private partnership that will utilize a combination of private capital with public and private grant sources. Superior Marine, a company that was engaged in a lawsuit with the city for many years until it was settled last year, will be working with the city again on this project.

With funding likely to be such an issue for these projects, the eventual effects on the city’s infrastructure are of primary concern to residents, who hope the benefits of the projects will outweigh the costs. (Interviews and research to garner quotes and support for this idea)

These projects are all part of a plan, heavily supported by Williams, to cause a rebirth of Huntington. Even though funding will be a huge issue, as the city is not financially thriving, Williams has reiterated his confidence in the ability of Huntington to rally together and make these projects happen, one way or another. (Interview, to get quotes)