People gather downtown this summer for a “Jefferson Friday” event in Moundsville. City leaders are asking residents and visitors to take a survey and provide input about the future of the downtown. (Photo Provided)

Moundville leaders are seeking ideas on how to improve the downtown business district including a section left empty by a massive fire early last spring.

The city has partnered with On-Trac via the West Virginia Office of Economic Development for the endeavor.

“On-Trac is a downtown revitalization program and community development model that focuses on enhancing and supporting the unique character of the downtown business district,” according to city information.

Residents and visitors to the city are being asked to participate in the online survey regarding the downtown. The survey questions ask for input about the area, what types of businesses and improvements people would like to see there and what they do not want to see downtown.

The survey can be found at docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSddaZZ 086To0i…/viewform. The survey link can also be found on the “City of Moundsville, Moundsville, WV” Facebook page.

Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy said Friday that one of the survey’s main goals is to get ideas for a large section of the downtown left vacant by a massive fire that destroyed five buildings in March.

“When City Council started the discussion to purchase the property left vacant by the devastating fire, the goal was to work to bring something to that property that would be beneficial not only to the other businesses in the Historic Business District, but also to the citizens and visitors,” he said.

“This happened, coincidentally, with the On-Trac program’s beginning. This property is in the On-Trac District, which makes up a portion of the Historic Business District. We felt it is important to hear from the citizens as to what they would like to see fill this property.

“Obviously, the city will not be developing this, rather searching for a developer or company who wants to build in this location. As those proposals come in, it is great to know what the citizens would like to see on Jefferson Avenue in Moundsville.”

The survey’s main page also notes, “Responses will be anonymous unless contact information is provided. Information collected will be used to assist the Moundsville On-Trac program in its goal of promoting and redeveloping the Moundsville historic downtown On-Trac district.”