ONTRAC leaders: Elkins is unique
By CARRA HIGGINS, Staff WriterArticle Photos
Fact Box
ONTRAC's
next stop
Wednesday and Thursday
Beverly
At 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Beverly will host a public meeting and reception at the Beverly Heritage Center to welcome the ONTRAC team and discuss the Beverly Streetscape plan and the excursion train's stop in the town.
Throughout Wednesday and Thursday, the ONTRAC consultants will tour Beverly, meet with business and building owners, conduct a work session and conclude with a meeting at 11 a.m. Thursday.
Thursday and Friday
Belington
From 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Belington will welcome ONTRAC members and the public to an open house upstairs at Belington City Hall. Representatives from the West Virginia Economic Development Authority will also be available during the open house to discuss ideas and strategies for reviving downtown Belington.
The team will be working with business owners, property owners, government representatives and residents from the community to help identify Belington's assets and challenges. This assessment information will be used to help Belington develop and implement projects.
ONTRAC consultants hear there's potential in downtown Elkins. Today they continue their assessment of the city to prepare a plan of action that could help Elkins become more economically viable while retaining its history.
National Trust Main Street Center Assistant Director for Field Services Lauren Adkins, West Virginia ONTRAC coordinator Delphine Coffey, Coordinator for Main Street West Virginia Monica Miller and Historic Preservation Consultant Michael Gioulis met local ONTRAC leaders Monday afternoon and toured downtown streets observing some of what Elkins has to offer.
Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ellen Spears, Ed Griesel with the Downtown Merchants Association, Seneca Realty broker Richard Holland, Randolph County Development Authority board member Jim Schoonover and former Elkins Mayor Judy Guye led the four visitors.
Strolling through the streets of downtown Elkins, ONTRAC consultants made several positive comments about the downtown area as they took notes and several pictures. Their walk included outdoor stops at the Wilt Building, the Darden House, City Hall and the Iron Horse Statue.
Adkins told The Inter-Mountain the visiting team will help community ONTRAC liaisons and volunteers determine why Elkins has potential, why the downtown area has not "taken off" and what can be done to realize the possibilities.
After the team finishes its assessment today, members will propose two or three projects that will improve the design and/or visual aspects of downtown, Miller explained. ONTRAC volunteers will determine which project they want to implement.
Miller agreed that Elkins has many unique qualities, but volunteers must be active to ensure the program works. The ONTRAC consultants will fill the "how to" role, not implement the plans, she said.
Coffey said she enjoyed Monday's activities and is looking forward to talks with business owners and groups who are not affiliated with government.
Spears said Monday's activities went well and hopes the community becomes involved with the ONTRAC program.
The RCDA is the sponsoring agent of the ONTRAC program and Executive Director Jennifer Giovannitti said she's excited for Elkins to host the team of experts and for them to see a personal side of the community. Giovannitti hopes to receive good advice from the experts.
Merllene Yorkey, president of the ERCCC, said Elkins needs to maintain its "quaintness, uniqueness and friendliness" and hopes the city eventually receives full Main Street designation.
The group's first day ended with a public reception, where performers from The Old Brick Playhouse and the American Mountain Theater shared the guests a sample of the artistic cluster in town.
Also during the public reception Monday, the ONTRAC team heard why members of the community believe in Elkins.
Mark Doak, RCDA president and president and chief executive officer of Davis Health System, told the group the people of Elkins have imagination and creativity thanks to the arts, education and technology. It will be because of innovation that Elkins will be poised for a prosperous future.
Carol Schuler, president of the Elkins Historic Landmarks Commission, explained that she believes in Elkins because of its diversity, creativity, history and heritage.
Davis & Elkins College President G.T "Buck" Smith said Elkins has a future because of its beauty, culture and vitality. Smith thinks the city could become an "All American City" within the next five years.
Missy McCollam, executive director of The Old Brick Playhouse, explained Elkins is moving toward "boomtown" status again and is excited about the development occurring in the area.
The Inter-Mountain General Manager Don Smith said Elkins represents what's best about life in a small town. The downtown area is the heart of the community as it continues to develop and captures the interest of those who visit, he said.
Elkins Mayor Duke Talbott told the crowd the city has magnetism and the community will work together to make it a better place to live.
Those interested in volunteering for ONTRAC may call Spears at 304-636-2717, Giovannitti at 304-637-0803, Griesel or Guye.
C.J. Maggies and Cafe donated the food for the reception as part of their commitment to the project, Spears said.
Today, the ONTRAC team is scheduled to meet with the Downtown Merchants Association, community groups, business owners and finish the day with a work session and wrap-up meeting with local ONTRAC leaders.
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Bowden
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04-15-09 8:57 AM
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Yes Elkins is unique!! There are not many small towns that have a beautiful railroad station located in the downtown area. Using the rail theme as a blueprint for the downtown area it would make Elkins unique and draw thousands of rail fans to town. Rail fans tend to be older and have extra money to spend. They also appreciated anything with history. If Elkins were to take ideas from the downtown area in Fredericksburg Virginia or Lewsiburg West Virginia it could be a mecca for rail buffs from all over the USA. Durango Colorado and Scranton Pa. are two good examples of rail towns that done well. A good example of what could be done was when the train from Cass Railroad came to ELkins and thousands of people came to see the train and many even paid to take a ride. It takes local pride to get things done and if this town can pull off the Forrest Festival it surely can become and "All America City"
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ceteris
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04-14-09 11:23 AM
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Will Judy Guye just go away? Maybe she can retire someplace and leave us alone.
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ceteris
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04-14-09 11:18 AM
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Will Judy Guye just go away? Maybe she can retire someplace and leave us alone.
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