Latest news with #Bluefield
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The City of Bluefield plans for a consolidated emergency response facility
BLUEFIELD, WV (WVNS) – The City of Bluefield has taken steps to improve emergency response services across all departments throughout the city. First announced last summer, plans for a consolidated facility for emergency responders are moving forward, with the City of Bluefield having applied for federal funds to make the vision a reality. The centralized facility would bring together EMS, police, and fire departments in the city, and would provide a wider variety of resources for the agencies, many of which are operating out of the Bluefield City Hall location. Bluefield City Manager, Cecil Marson told 59News that city authorities are looking at multiple potential locations for the site, and that the plan is part of a greater effort to provide the best possible service experience for the citizens of Bluefield.'We're working on designs for the building in a couple different locations. Our goal is to give the most responsive service we can to the citizens of Bluefield in our community,' said Marson. 'So, we're looking at it very closely to make sure that we're doing the best absolutely that we can to take care of everyone.' Marson says, along with federal funding from the offices of U.S. Senators Jim Justice and Shelley Moore Capito, the city will be seeking grant funding for the project from multiple other sources as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield hopes to rehabilitate former church
bluefield — Bluefield officials are still hoping to rehabilitate an old church located on Duhring Street. The former church, which is on the state's historic preservation list, has been vacant for a number of years now. It was founded in 1907 as the First Baptist Church. The structure is currently owned by the city of Bluefield, which is seeking to renovate the church as part of a larger vision for the area. That vision also includes new housing construction for first-time home buyers in the neighborhood near the church. 'The city does own the church outside of city hall. The Duhring Street Church,' City Manager Cecil Marson said. 'It's an old, old church. It has stained glass windows. It is a super nice church.' Marson said the city's goal is to rehabilitate the old church and find a new use for it, possibly as a job training site or small business incubator. The vision also includes new housing construction in the Duhring Street area, which also connects to Roger Street near city hall. The city is still searching for funding to complete the work. While the city was approved for an initial grant for the project, the funding agency that would have provided the grant was later terminated. Thus the city didn't receive the funding. The old First Baptist Church on Duhring Street isn't to be confused with the nearby Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is still an active congregation and is located at 103 Duhring Street. Both the old First Baptist Church and the Immanuel Lutheran Church are located adjacent to the municipal hall facilities in Bluefield. Marson said the search for new funding continues — not just for the church renovations but also for the housing project. 'Our focus is around it (the church) and a potential housing area for a first-time home buyer,' Marson said. Housing has been an issue of concern in the city in recent years. The Bluefield Board of Directors launched a study in 2024 on the city's housing needs in cooperation with Virginia Tech. That 2024 study identified a housing shortage in Bluefield and focused on housing needs in the city over the next five to 10 years. The church itself wouldn't be used for housing, but it could be utilized for job training or other purposes. Because of its designation as a historic structure, Marson said the city is limited in what changes can be made to the church itself. 'You can't make major changes to the facade,' Marson said. 'There is restrictions on what you can do. They have to have oversight of it.' For example, the city will have to contract with a professional firm to make repairs to the stain glass windows inside of the old church. 'We would need to bring in a professional to look at those,' Marson said of the stain glass windows. 'They would need to be cleaned and redone. It would have to be kind of a professional stain-glass person who can restore that.' While it may appear unusual for a city to own a former church, Marson said it really isn't — pointing to a similar situation in Northern West Virginia. 'I don't think it is unusual,' he said. 'Cities inherently get a lot of property that is in bad shape. I'm sure there are tons of cities across the country that have churches in their portfolios.' The city has owned the church for a number of years. Marson said the old church went through different owners throughout the years, and was associated with the Baptist denomination. Finding additional funding to renovate the former church, and to launch the new housing project, is the next step for the city. 'We are working on stuff right now, different grants, putting some stuff together,' Marson said. 'We are working to try to get the funding so we can start this project. We are actively working on it right now.' The old church isn't the only historic structure owned by the city, or a city-affiliated commission. Marson said the Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Commission also owns the old Traveler's Hotel, which is located near the Raleigh Street Cinemas. The old hotel was originally a Green Book property offering lodging to Black travelers during the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. In 1950 it was converted into an office building and offered some dining in the 1980s and 1990s. It is currently vacant although BARC is hoping to revitalize it. The Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Commission also owns the Granada Theater, a historic structure that was brought back to life by the commission a number of years ago. The Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, the statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the state's historic places and properties, recently announced the recipients of the 2025 West Virginia Historic Preservation Awards, and the Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Commission, or BARC for short, was one of the recipients. BARC received the Adaptive Reuse Award for its efforts to revitalize the old Granada Theater, along with the adjoining Raleigh Street Cinemas and Education Center. The Granada Theater originally opened in 1927 at its current location on 537 Commerce Street. It was originally used as a Vaudeville and movie theater, and at one time was even a dance club. The venue is currently used for cinema and live performances. The Granada Theater was recently added to the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail. That statewide trail was designed to promote cultural tourism by showcasing the state's diverse theatrical heritage Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Official: GHS stadium development will take time
bluefield, va. — While a conditional use permit for a new football stadium at Graham High School was approved last December, the development of the stadium is a process that will take time, according to school officials. Last December the Bluefield, Va., Town Council approved a conditional use permit allowing the Tazewell County School Board to build a stadium next to Graham High School. As currently proposed, the stadium would be developed at the site of the existing outdoor learning and sports facility at GHS. 'The track is there and the turf is there,' Tazewell County School Superintendent Dr. Chris Stacy said. 'In time we would add bleachers, home bleachers and a press box. It would not be all at once. We would do it in sections.' That process has not yet started, nor has an engineering firm been selected to oversee the development of aspects of the new stadium. 'The only updates is it is still in progress,' Stacy said. 'The next phase would obviously be trying to get some bleachers or lights in. It is still something that is a project and it is something we want to complete.' In the meantime, the G-Men of Graham High School would presumably continue to play their home games at Mitchell Stadium in neighboring Bluefield, which the high school has been doing for years. Stacy said the school system's contract with the city of Bluefield for the use of Mitchell Stadium is back up for consideration, adding that the contract will be presented to the school board next week 'It is our contract year,' Stacy said. 'The city will send me a contract and I'll present it to the school board.' Stacy said it will be up to the school board to decide where the G-Men play, adding that other options for home games include the football stadium at Tazewell High School. The Bluefield Board of Directors are scheduled Tuesday to consider stadium usage contracts for both Tazewell County Schools, Mercer County Schools, Bluefield University and Bluefield State University, according to City Clerk Anthony Heltzel. 'It is multiple counties,' Heltzel said of the stadium agreements scheduled to be considered by the city board Tuesday. 'It's Tazewell County. It's Mercer County Schools. It's the two universities.' Heltzel said Tazewell County Schools has been presented the contract that will be considered by the city board on Tuesday. The G-Men of Graham High School have been playing their home football games at Mitchell Stadium for years. The annual contest between Graham and Bluefield, which kicks off the football season in the region, typically draws a crowd of close to 10,000 at Mitchell Stadium. There is still no final cost estimate for the new stadium project at Graham High School. Stacy said those cost estimates will be determined as the school system moves forward with different aspects of the project. Stacy said the goal is to build the stadium in steps with cost estimates being determined individually for additions such as bleachers, lights, a press box and other necessary parts of the stadium. 'Again we will look for grant money,' Stacy said. 'We will pursue local funding. Any type of external revenues sources we can find.' The conditional use permit approved last December by the Bluefield, Va. Town Council included eight conditions that the school system must meet to operate the new stadium. During events when traffic could obstruct emergency services, the conditional use permit specifies that a traffic plan must be established and coordinated so emergency access to all the dwellings around and on school property will be maintained throughout the event. Other conditions address issues including noise, traffic and the stadium's lights. For example, Tazewell County Public Schools must meet with town officials and coordinate events requiring the town's support and/or any events that could produce noise or light disturbances after 10 pm. and before 6 a.m., according to the conditional use permit. These plans would include traffic control, emergency services cover and access, and reimbursement requests for police. Another condition addresses 'destructive wildlife' such as bears and raccoons that could be attracted by trash left behind by sports fans and people attending events at the stadium. According to the conditional use permit, the town would require Tazewell County Public Schools to clean the stadium immediately after an event and put trash in existing dumpsters. Billboards and scoreboards also would need to be located inside the stadium's grounds, plus they must face only inward and toward the people attending the stadium's events. Any signage facing outward would need to be coordinated with the town of Bluefield's zoning official, the conditional use permit said. Another condition of the permit addresses noise. For events on school property after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m., the school system will be required to end noise disturbances within 30 minutes after the last official event and end light disturbances within 60 minutes after the last official event. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sanitary Board sale still faces hurdles
bluefield — The pending sale of Bluefield's sanitary board system to West Virginia American Water Company still faces two remaining hurdles. Although the Bluefield Board of Directors approved the sale of the Bluefield Sanitary Board system to West Virginia American Water Company earlier this month, the transaction still requires approval from both the Bluefield, Va., Town Council and the West Virginia Public Service Commission. The Virginia-side approval is necessary because the sanitary system also serves customers in Bluefield, Va. If the sale is approved by the Bluefield, Va., Town Council, it must then be approved by the West Virginia Public Service Commission. The Bluefield, Va., Town Council has set a public hearing for Tuesday, April 22, at 7 p.m., at the town hall offices at 112 Huffard Drive to receive public input on the sale of the sanitary system to West Virginia American Water Company. If the sale of the sanitary system also is approved by the Bluefield, Va., Town Council, then the purchaser — West Virginia American Water Company — would need to seek approval for the transaction from the West Virginia Public Service Commission, according to Bluefield City Attorney David Kersey. 'As you know, the Bluefield Sanitary Board sewer system also serves Bluefield, Va., town residents and some county residents as well,' Kersey said. 'So the proposed agreement includes the water company purchasing those Virginia assets. The town has not yet agreed to sell. And as I understand it they are having a meeting on April 22.' According to a legal advertisement in the Daily Telegraph announcing that public hearing, the town of Bluefield, Va., believes the sale will provide benefits to the community, including enhanced service quality, improved infrastructure and long-term sustainability of the wastewater system. If the Bluefield, Va., Town Council does agree to the sale, Kersey said the issue will then go to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia for approval. 'It's my understanding that the application for approval would be filed by the purchaser,' Kersey said. 'The water company would ask for permission and would ask for approval for the purchase.' Since public hearings have already been held by the Bluefield City Board, along with the public hearing planned for next Tuesday in Bluefield, Va., Kersey said he didn't think the Public Service Commission would require additional public hearings on the matter. 'The city did have public hearings and comments and all,' Kersey said. Andrew Gallagher, director of communications for the Public Service Commission of West Virginia, said the PSC has not yet received a petition on the matter from the city or the water company. 'The process, however, would be we get a petition and then act on it,' Gallagher said in an email response to questions by the Daily Telegraph. The motion to approve the sale of the city's wastewater collection treatment system was approved by the city board on April 8. A second motion was also approved allowing for the shareholder approval for the Sanitary Board of Bluefield Inc., which is the entity that previously owned the Westside Treatment Plant. As part of the agreement between the city and West Virginia American Water Company, the company would retain all existing employees of the Bluefield Sanitary Board system and would not raise rates prior to 2029, according to earlier reports from Bluefield City Manager Cecil Marson. The company would instead follow an existing rate schedule already approved by the Bluefield Sanitary Board. Under the agreement, West Virginia American Water Company will purchase the Bluefield Sanitary Board wastewater system for $34.1 million and pay off around $14 million in debt. The anticipated proceeds would amount to $17 million for Bluefield and $3 million for Bluefield, Va. West Virginia American Water would also offer employment to all sanitary board employees under the agreement. For five years, West Virginia American Water would also use rates approved already by the sanitary board. West Virginia American Water Company rates would begin in 2029. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bluefield proposes sale of sanitary board to West Virginia American Water
bluefield — An ordinance authorizing the sale of Bluefield's wastewater collection and treatment system to West Virginia American Water company had its first reading Tuesday before the Bluefield Board of Directors. Mayor Ron Martin said during Tuesday's board meeting that West Virginia American Water had approached the city about purchasing its wastewater collection and treatment system. The board unanimously approved this first reading. 'West Virginia American Water approached the city of Bluefield and the Sanitary Board and made a proposal to talk about potentially selling it, and we've been in discussions for the last year and a half to get us to this point,' City Manager Cecil Marson said after the meeting. Marson said the city had a long way to go before any sale could be finalized. Before the board of directors can vote about accepting the proposal, there must be a public hearing, a second reading for the ordinance and approval from the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. 'We're still a long way before it's finally sold,' he said. 'It will probably be anywhere from eight to 12 months if we go that far, but there's still a long ways to go.' A public hearing about the West Virginia American Water sale is scheduled for Monday, April 7 at the Bluefield Arts Center in downtown Bluefield. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m. 'That's a good forum for all the folks to come and we encourage everyone to ask questions so they can fully understand why we're going down this path and what we've got set up to work on,' Marson said. Under the proposal, the city's current sewer rates will stay in place until Jan. 1, 2029. 'Well, I think it's the stable fees because the rates won't change for the next five years,' Marson said about the city's reasons for considering the water company's proposal. 'But really what the board's weighing is to keep up with our infrastructure. An example I would give you is the Midway Project that the Sanitary Board's done a phenomenal job with. That project's taken us eight years to get to the starting point right now. We have to bond, go through grants to get funding and right now with what West Virginia American Water's proposing we've got five major projects that are on our radar for them to get done in the next five years.' The Bluefield Sanitary Board has done 'phenomenal' work, but the city still has big infrastructure challenges which need to be addressed, Marson said. 'That actually factored into it, but I would say the sanitary board is a great organization that's done a really good job and I think it's strengthened our position really to have this discussion and do what we can for what's best for the citizens.' The Bluefield Sanitary Board is a joint board with representatives from both Bluefield, Va., and Bluefield, as well as an organization called the Bluefield Sanitary Board, Inc. that also involves representatives from Tazewell County, Va., Marson said. There have been discussions with these representatives as well as the water company. 'We've had numerous meetings,' Marson said. 'The shareholders are the city of Bluefield; but yes, we've had numerous discussions to get to this point.' 'It has to go through PSC first,' Marson said. 'Once that's been done, there will be a huge announcement that it's been sold.' Under the proposal, West Virginia American Water would finish the following capital projects which the Bluefield Board of Directors passed on July 9, 2024 at a project cost of $35 million with completion occurring no later than five years from the date of closing: • Midway Sewer Replacement Project • Nichols Road/Thompson Pump Station Project • Wintercreek Sewer Replacement Project conducted in tandem with the Town of Bluefield stormwater replacement project • Union Street Replacement Project conducted in tandem with the City of Bluefield stormwater replacement project • Completion of College Avenue Phase III Sewer Replacement Project connecting Phase I and Phase II capital line projects. The city would receive a payment through the agreement. 'And yes, if the deal does go through, it will be close to $19 million to $20 million for the city,' Marson said. Another part of the proposal calls for the water company to establish a regional wastewater operations center within Bluefield, city limits in a newly constructed or remodeled building with a new facade and at a location agreed upon by both parties. This new or remodeled building would need to be big enough for allow for 25 water company employees. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
