Latest news with #Morgantown-based
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Riverfront effort picks up steam, railroad release remains elusive
Jun. 5—WESTOVER — Much like the Little Engine that Could, the city of Westover isn't letting a stubborn obstacle halt progress towards its goal — the vitalization of a portion of its riverfront. In the city's case, however, railroad tracks are the actual obstacle. Technically, the development effort isn't being spearheaded by the city, but by a private concern — Preset 31 LLC — with the city serving as the official sponsor and recipient of any potential grant dollars. Preset 31 lists members Phillip Weser, Kevin Salisbury, James Ridgeway and Matthew Bourne, respectively the CEO, CFO, president and vice president of Morgantown-based contractor March-Westin. Earlier this week, Terri Cutright, president of marketing and management firm Terri Reed Cutright & Associates, told Westover City Council she had been hired by the group to explore potential funding opportunities for the riverfront project. Cutright said she's submitted congressionally directed spending requests to Sens. Shelley Moore-Capito and Jim Justice seeking $2.4 million. Further, she said she's looking at railroad safety grants and is working with the West Virginia Grant Resource Center to track down dollars that could be used to address infrastructure improvements and, potentially, recreational amenities in the riverfront area near the Westover Bridge. The area in question was once home to Cyphert Industries. Now, Preset 31 owns that property, which has attracted businesses like Short Story Brewing, Bunkers, Bailey Glasser and AD1, as well as a Mon EMS substation. But it's not the only property owner in the immediate area. According to the county's online parcel viewer, the West Virginia University Board of Governors owns 5.64 acres directly across the river from Reynolds Hall. Norfolk Southern also owns property along Westover's riverfront. In fact, Long Street, which is currently being used by the West Virginia Division of Highways as the detour around Westover's Holland Avenue project, is partially owned by the railroad company. And therein lies the issue. In order to guarantee access to a newly-revitalized riverfront, representatives from Preset 31 came to the city in March 2022 to inquire about bringing Long Street into the city's street network. The city reached out to Norfolk Southern to request the property be donated. A month later, the company sent a letter indicating it would likely take a year to respond to the request. That's where things stand. It was explained at the time that if Norfolk Southern didn't want to participate, the city could consider condemnation if it could make the case that the property in question isn't part of the active rail system. That option remains, but it's not preferred. "Condemning a railroad — and Norfolk Southern can be particularly unreasonable from time to time — would be a federal court case and a significant amount of money, " Attorney Tim Stranko explained. "We're trying to do this the positive way and get some cooperation and some help from our political leadership." If and when the city does take ownership of the street, there remains the matter of fixing it. Anyone who's traveled the Holland Avenue detour knows how rough it is. In 2022, it was indicated at least $750, 000 would be needed to bring a portion of the street up to the city's standards.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Riverfront effort picks up steam, railroad release remains elusive
Jun. 5—WESTOVER — Much like the Little Engine that Could, the city of Westover isn't letting a stubborn obstacle halt progress towards its goal — the vitalization of a portion of its riverfront. In the city's case, however, railroad tracks are the actual obstacle. Technically, the development effort isn't being spearheaded by the city, but by a private concern — Preset 31 LLC — with the city serving as the official sponsor and recipient of any potential grant dollars. Preset 31 lists members Phillip Weser, Kevin Salisbury, James Ridgeway and Matthew Bourne, respectively the CEO, CFO, president and vice president of Morgantown-based contractor March-Westin. Earlier this week, Terri Cutright, president of marketing and management firm Terri Reed Cutright & Associates, told Westover City Council she had been hired by the group to explore potential funding opportunities for the riverfront project. Cutright said she's submitted congressionally directed spending requests to Sens. Shelley Moore-Capito and Jim Justice seeking $2.4 million. Further, she said she's looking at railroad safety grants and is working with the West Virginia Grant Resource Center to track down dollars that could be used to address infrastructure improvements and, potentially, recreational amenities in the riverfront area near the Westover Bridge. The area in question was once home to Cyphert Industries. Now, Preset 31 owns that property, which has attracted businesses like Short Story Brewing, Bunkers, Bailey Glasser and AD1, as well as a Mon EMS substation. But it's not the only property owner in the immediate area. According to the county's online parcel viewer, the West Virginia University Board of Governors owns 5.64 acres directly across the river from Reynolds Hall. Norfolk Southern also owns property along Westover's riverfront. In fact, Long Street, which is currently being used by the West Virginia Division of Highways as the detour around Westover's Holland Avenue project, is partially owned by the railroad company. And therein lies the issue. In order to guarantee access to a newly-revitalized riverfront, representatives from Preset 31 came to the city in March 2022 to inquire about bringing Long Street into the city's street network. The city reached out to Norfolk Southern to request the property be donated. A month later, the company sent a letter indicating it would likely take a year to respond to the request. That's where things stand. It was explained at the time that if Norfolk Southern didn't want to participate, the city could consider condemnation if it could make the case that the property in question isn't part of the active rail system. That option remains, but it's not preferred. "Condemning a railroad — and Norfolk Southern can be particularly unreasonable from time to time — would be a federal court case and a significant amount of money, " Attorney Tim Stranko explained. "We're trying to do this the positive way and get some cooperation and some help from our political leadership." If and when the city does take ownership of the street, there remains the matter of fixing it. Anyone who's traveled the Holland Avenue detour knows how rough it is. In 2022, it was indicated at least $750, 000 would be needed to bring a portion of the street up to the city's standards.
Dominion Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Dominion Post
Riverfront effort picks up steam, railroad release remains elusive
WESTOVER — Much like the Little Engine that Could, the city of Westover isn't letting a stubborn obstacle halt progress towards its goal – the vitalization of a portion of its riverfront. In the city's case, however, railroad tracks are the actual obstacle. Technically, the development effort isn't being spearheaded by the city, but by a private concern – Preset 31 LLC – with the city serving as the official sponsor and recipient of any potential grant dollars. Preset 31 lists members Phillip Weser, Kevin Salisbury, James Ridgeway and Matthew Bourne, respectively the CEO, CFO, president and vice president of Morgantown-based contractor March-Westin. Earlier this week, Terri Cutright, president of marketing and management firm Terri Reed Cutright & Associates, told Westover City Council she had been hired by the group to explore potential funding opportunities for the riverfront project. Cutright said she's submitted congressionally directed spending requests to Sens. Shelley Moore-Capito and Jim Justice seeking $2.4 million. Further, she said she's looking at railroad safety grants and is working with the West Virginia Grant Resource Center to track down dollars that could be used to address infrastructure improvements and, potentially, recreational amenities in the riverfront area near the Westover Bridge. The area in question was once home to Cyphert Industries. Now, Preset 31 owns that property, which has attracted businesses like Short Story Brewing, Bunkers, Bailey Glasser and AD1, as well as a Mon EMS substation. But it's not the only property owner in the immediate area. According to the county's online parcel viewer, the West Virginia University Board of Governors owns 5.64 acres directly across the river from Reynolds Hall. Norfolk Southern also owns property along Westover's riverfront. In fact, Long Street, which is currently being used by the West Virginia Division of Highways as the detour around Westover's Holland Avenue project, is partially owned by the railroad company. And therein lies the issue. In order to guarantee access to a newly-revitalized riverfront, representatives from Preset 31 came to the city in March 2022 to inquire about bringing Long Street into the city's street network. The city reached out to Norfolk Southern to request the property be donated. A month later, the company sent a letter indicating it would likely take a year to respond to the request. That's where things stand. It was explained at the time that if Norfolk Southern didn't want to participate, the city could consider condemnation if it could make the case that the property in question isn't part of the active rail system. That option remains, but it's not preferred. 'Condemning a railroad – and Norfolk Southern can be particularly unreasonable from time to time – would be a federal court case and a significant amount of money,' Attorney Tim Stranko explained. 'We're trying to do this the positive way and get some cooperation and some help from our political leadership.' If and when the city does take ownership of the street, there remains the matter of fixing it. Anyone who's traveled the Holland Avenue detour knows how rough it is. In 2022, it was indicated at least $750,000 would be needed to bring a portion of the street up to the city's standards.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Ruff Ryders donate Easter Baskets to WVU Medicine Children's
MORGANTOWN, (WBOY) — Giving back to its community, that's how Ruff Ryders roll, as the Morgantown-based organization donated Easter Baskets to WVU Medicine Children's. On Friday, patients of WVU Medicine Children's Hospital received Easter baskets courtesy of Ruff Ryders and the University Town Center Walmart. This is the second year of Easter basket donations, with the organization donating 70 baskets last year. Baskets were filled with different interactive items for children including stuffed animals and coloring books. 12 News spoke with Ruff Ryders' prospect manager, Knight Vision, on why the organization chooses to contribute to the community in this way. Mon Medical Center hosts flag raising ceremony for Donate Life Month 'We love our motorcycles, we love our cars, we love our trucks and recreation, but the biggest thing is the family aspect, and it's not just having a family bond with one another, but our community is part of our family,' Vision said. 'We like to make sure that we step up and we plug in any holes and fill in any gaps that we can…whether it is helping those with special needs, with medical or finances, or hospitals or schools.' Ruff Ryders also volunteers with Stepping Stones, first responders, women and children's shelters, homeless shelters and other in need. The organization also held a fish fry on Friday with proceeds going towards Camp NaCoMe. You can reach out and keep up with the Ruff Ryders through its website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Another movie shot in Marion County to premiere next month
FAIRMONT, (WBOY) — From the studio that brought you 'The Bad Guardian' comes another movie shot in Marion County, West Virginia, this time featuring one of its most notable landmarks. The Morgantown-based studio Allegheny Image Factory is gearing up to premiere its latest movie, 'Killing the Competition,' starring Melissa Joan Hart. Inspired by real events, the story follows a mother and former high school dancer who grows resentful toward the current team members and school administration after her daughter is cut from the team. You can watch the trailer for the movie in the player above. Rare 'light pillars' spotted in Lewis County In the trailer, viewers can catch a glimpse of scenes shot in and around East-West Stadium. The trailer does not say specifically if the movie takes place in West Virginia, but East-West's iconic West Virginia state outline can be seen in multiple shots. The movie is set to premiere on March 1 at 8 p.m. on Lifetime, and will be available to stream the next day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
