FAIRMONT — The city hopes to add a prime piece of real estate to its corporate limits by taking in the former Eldora dragstrip property.
The Marion Regional Development Corp., the economic development arm of Marion County and the City of Fairmont, developed the 70-acre tract of land as a business park. The project has been supported by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, secured by Congressman Alan Mollohan for water and sewer infrastructure, and the Industrial Park Access Fund for a road and curb system to the park.
“We’re actively developing the site and have two prime candidates who are looking seriously at the site, and we are awaiting their decision,” said Mayor Nick Fantasia, also chair of the MRDC.
City council Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution to forward the application to the Marion County Commission, which will ultimately decide whether to approve the 70-acre annexation. Earlier this year, an application to bring in the Hallwood Estates property in the Bellview area, the site of a proposed 600-house development, was approved.
City Manager Bruce McDaniel said that the city will apply for the annexation through a minor boundary application instead of by petition, which would require the permission of all of the people who have mineral rights to the property.
If approved, Fantasia said this annexation would represent about 500 acres brought into the corporate limits of the city by the MRDC and its predecessor, the Fairmont Industrial Credit Corp.
“As the MRDC has done in the past, in its role as the official economic development agency for the City of Fairmont, it has made every effort to locate facilities within the corporate limits or bring the corporate limits to the facilities it develops.”
E-mail Misty Poe at mpoe@timeswv.com.
In Today's TWV
October 25, 2006
City hopes to annex 70-acre business park
Mayor: Two prospects looking seriously at former Eldora dragstrip
- In Today's TWV
-
-
US kills Osama bin Laden decade after 9/11 attacks
Osama bin Laden, the face of global terrorism and architect of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, was killed in a firefight with elite American forces Monday, then quickly buried at sea in a stunning finale to a furtive decade on the run.
-
Construction around FSU
Construction matters were on the minds of the Fairmont State Board of Governors Thursday as they discussed projects to widen Locust Avenue and the continuing renovation of the historic Kennedy Barn.
First, a project to widen Locust Avenue to three lanes has been a priority for the state for several years. -
Goal: Redevelop site of former black Elks
City officials are hoping to solicit a buyer to redevelop the former site of the former black Elks building at the corner of Everest Drive and Cleveland Avenue.
Following the structure’s emergency demolition last weekend, city manager Jim Snider said the city is hoping someone will come forward to develop the site and recoup the city’s $72,000 demolition cost. -
Investigation continues into suspicious container, plastic jug that were blown up
Fairmont police detectives will continue their investigation into a suspicious can and jug that were blown up late Friday night by a State Police bomb squad, police said.
No one was injured, but the incident forced drivers to detour around Fairmont Avenue from Seventh to 10th streets while the area was secured and the containers were safely destroyed. -
Years of planning, work lead to new Baxter fire hall
In 1968, the Baxter Volunteer Fire Department opened its doors for the first time.
The department had its humble beginnings in a small pole building near the ball field. Over the years, the firefighters made do with the small building, adding on as they could, according to Destry Jones, Baxter fire chief. -
AmberView participation rising
Fairview Middle School has a higher percentage of students enrolled in AmberView than any other school in the state, officials said Friday.
AmberView is an innovative program, developed in West Virginia, that assists law enforcement by quickly issuing an up-to-date digital picture of a missing or abducted child. AmberView officials have seen participation rise dramatically in the last year. -
Police investigate, detonate suspected bomb
West Side’s main thoroughfare was blocked for hours while police investigated and then detonated a suspected bomb Friday night.
Fairmont City Police responded to a report of a suspicious package Friday after a 911 call from a passerby. -
Student housing at FSU booming
While enrollment may be down at Fairmont State this year, student housing is booming.
The university’s board of governors received preliminary enrollment numbers at its meeting Thursday. -
Jay to speak at convention
U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, an early supporter of Sen. Barack Obama, will be a speaker at the Democratic National Convention in Denver later this month, a campaign aide said.
Rockefeller, 71, who is seeking a fifth-straight term in the Senate, will speak on Wednesday, Aug. 27, said Jessica Tice, his campaign press secretary. -
A strong ‘heartbeat’
“The chamber is the heartbeat of every community,” Gov. Joe Manchin told a crowd of approximately 375 people during the Marion County Chamber of Commerce’s 55th Annual Dinner.
Members of the business community gathered at Fairmont State University’s Falcon Center Thursday night for the event, which also serves as the chamber’s annual meeting. - More In Today's TWV Headlines
-
US kills Osama bin Laden decade after 9/11 attacks
