Preservation Alliance hopes to save New River Gorge historic buildings from demolition
By Sam Kirk,
3 days ago
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.
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 Nexstar’s WBOY that it has been communicating with the NPS to try to find alternatives to save the register-listed properties.
WVPA Executive Director Danielle Parker told WBOY 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.
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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