Parkersburg URA agrees to sell property: Council passes final reading of bond issue ordinance | News, Sports, Jobs

Parkersburg City Council President Mike Reynolds, center, calls to order a public hearing on an ordinance authorizing a bond issue of up to $15 million to fund construction of a new recreation center and replacement fire station as Councilwoman Wendy Tuck and Councilman J.R. Carpenter listen. No one spoke at the hearing, and the ordinance passed 7-0. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Members of Parkersburg City Council on Tuesday approved the sale of a coveted property on Seventh Street to the Astorg family of automotive dealerships and also approved the final reading of an ordinance authorizing a bond issue to fund construction of a recreation center and fire station.

Acting as the Urban Renewal Authority, council members voted 6-1, with two members absent, to accept Astorg’s $200,000 offer from among six for 1954 Seventh St., the former site of the Economy Inn.

The company anticipates spending $4 million to build a new Hyundai sales and service facility at the site, along with $200,000 for site preparation and $50,000 for design. Tyler Astorg, with the dealerships, said he believes the project will benefit the city in terms of property and other taxes and noted that when the company makes improvements here or in Charleston they often “gravitate towards Parkersburg” in terms of who does the work.

“I think it will create a lot of local jobs,” he said.

The only other bidder to speak before the authority Tuesday was Aaron Read, a former member of council and co-owner of Strong Tower Construction. He offered $125,000 for the property and proposed spending more than $1 million to develop apartments to address the area’s housing needs, along with a multipurpose space for the community and businesses and retail.

Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce, standing right, answers a question about an ordinance authorizing a bond issue of up to $15 million to fund construction of a new recreation center and replacement fire station as Councilmen J.R. Carpenter, left, and Chris Rexroad listen. The ordinance passed 7-0 on final reading. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“It’s a chance to help breathe new life into Seventh Street in a meaningful way,” he said.

Other bids ranged from $50,000 to $150,000 proposing development including restaurant, retail and residential spaces. The original offer of $75,000 came from Monsters Bent Barbell owner Clayton Workman, who offered $75,000 and wanted to use the site to expand his gym and host activities like cornhole tournaments.

Councilman Chris Rexroad said not only was the Astorg offer for the most money up front but he believed it promised the greatest economic benefit in the long run.

“I’m less concerned with the sale price (than) I am with the potential tax revenue from it,” he said.

URA Chairman J.R. Carpenter cast the dissenting vote, citing the more than $800,000 the city spent to acquire the property and demolish the hotel that once stood there.

Parkersburg City Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl, center, asks a question of bond attorney John Stump, left, about an ordinance authorizing a bond issue of up to $15 million to fund construction of a new recreation center and replacement fire station. The ordinance passed 7-0 on final reading. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“I have no problem waiting until we get a decent offer on this,” he said, describing selling the land for $200,000 as a “gift of $600,000.”

Councilwoman Sharon Kuhl said the property was purchased and the hotel demolished because it was a safety issue, with repeated law enforcement and medical calls there.

“The safety of our citizens is more important than whatever it costs,” she said. “We have the potential here of getting it (the money) back every year, little by little.”

The vote on the bond issue came during the regular council meeting, following a public hearing in which no one spoke on the ordinance.

It would transfer ownership of the properties where the facilities are to be built to the Municipal Building Commission, which would issue up to $15 million in revenue bonds to fund the construction and equipping of the planned 47,000-square foot recreation center and a replacement for Fire Station 3. The city would lease the properties back from the commission, with that money paying off the bonds.

Passed on a 7-0 vote with Councilwoman Jesse Cottrille and Councilman Zach Stanley absent, the ordinance does not specify the locations of the projects. That information, along with the precise amount of the bond issue, is expected to be added in a supplemental resolution in October, bond attorney John Stump said prior to the meeting.

The recreation center has been pitched since March 2023 as a replacement for the nearly 100-year-old pavilion in City Park, a plan that has drawn support and opposition from members of the public. Council recently approved the purchase of a property in the 700 block of Briant Street for $50,000, although Parkersburg resident Cathy Whitlatch questioned that during the public forum portion of Tuesday’s meeting.

Whitlatch suggested the city consider a lot on Seventh Street and Staunton Avenue, which she said might have more room to maneuver a fire truck. Fire Chief Jason Matthews said at a previous meeting he and others had tested the maneuverability of a fire truck at the new site. The location was also chosen because it was east of the existing station 3 at 13th and Liberty streets, improving response times to portions of the city, officials said. Staunton Avenue is to the west.