Preservation Alliance hopes to save New River Gorge historic buildings from demolition

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. (WBOY) — The National Park Service (NPS) has proposed the demolition of 19 historic buildings in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, including 11 that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Among the buildings are several in Thurmond, a tiny historic railroad town that is 80% owned by the National Park Service . Although many residents are against the demolition , the NPS has moved forward with the proposition and released a new Environmental Assessment (EA) this month recommending demolishing all of them.

According to a release from the NPS , the 19 structures are considered “potentially excess” and “appropriate for demolition” using funds from the Great American Outdoors Act
Legacy Restoration Fund, which is meant to rehabilitate historic structures and invest in park infrastructure. The EA cites water damage, storm damage and mold as reasons that certain buildings should be demolished instead of renovated, saying “For many of these structures, extensive structural damage and deteriorated condition has resulted in any repair and reuse to be infeasible.”

However, the West Virginia Preservation Alliance (WVPA) told 12 News that it has been communicating with the NPS to try to find alternatives to save the register-listed properties.

Ten of the buildings are listed as contributing to Thurmond as a listing on the National Register of Historic Places , and the Prince Brothers General Store in Prince is listed on its own.

WVPA Executive Director Danielle Parker told 12 News that the alliance is particularly concerned about losing the houses in Thurmond, which are part of the cultural landscape and can be viewed from the Rend Trail , and the Glen Dun Building/Ranger Station, which is considered a pivotal structure in the Thurmond Historic District.

“Although the Dun Glen Building was identified by the NPS as 1 of 16 ‘pivotal’ structures in the district, the Park Service now proposes it should be demolished,” the WVPA said in a social media post calling for community members to voice their opinions on the project.

According to Parker, the WVPA originally advocated for a leasing program which would have allowed community members and other investors a chance to lease and renovate the buildings. However, the EA released this month did not include a leasing program as an alternative solution, so Parker said the WVPA is looking for other ideas.

Alternatives listed on the EA include taking no action and keeping “structures with high potential for reuse,” which would include three of the 19 buildings.

The NPS is taking comments from the public on the demolitions, and the WVPA encourages people from across the state to submit them. Comments can be submitted online here until Nov. 8. One public meeting has already been held, but a second is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. at the New River Convention Center in Oak Hill.

Additional information and photos of all the structures proposed for demolition are available in the Environmental Assessment here . Any who would like to discuss the issue with officials from the WVPA can call 304-345-6005 or email info@pawv.org .

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