Photo by Shelley Hanson Moundsville residents Logan Adkins, Skyler Druschel and John Scandinaro talk on the sidewalk in front of the Jefferson Avenue building lots left empty by a massive fire last year. City leaders say redevelopment of the lots is important to the future of the historic business district.

MOUNDSVILLE – Redevelopment of the Jefferson Avenue building lots left empty by a massive fire last year is important to the downtown historic business district, city leaders say.

Moundsville City Manager Rick Healy said the city has used the now-grassy lots during public downtown events, but that is not their full potential.

“Even though greenspace is nice, a new business will help drive people to Jefferson Avenue,” Healy said. “The existing businesses deserve that. There are needs in that district, a restaurant possibly with outdoor seating, upper level housing, office building or storefront.”

Scott Reager, executive director of the Marshall County Chamber of Commerce, said from the chamber’s perspective, redevelopment of the property is “extremely important.”

“It sits at a key point that essentially begins our business district, so what happens there sets the tone for the entire area,” Reager said. “We lost several storefronts, but this also creates an opportunity to rebuild in a way that strengthens the district, attracts new businesses, and improves both the economic vitality and the overall look of downtown.”

Last March, a massive fire damaged four structures beyond repair on the lots. The city purchased the properties for a total of about $300,000.

The fire began in the back of the former Remke Furniture building and spread to five other structures. The fire dramatically changed the look of that portion of the historic district. Firefighters from 35 different departments from Marshall, Wetzel, Ohio and Belmont counties battled the blaze.The former Remke property was large, housing the Red Dragon Hybrid Tae Kwon Do martial arts school, along with Emily Dougherty Yoga and Toys for Tots West Virginia.

Healy believes that, in terms of environmental remediation of the site, nothing will have to be done.

“There was a basement on one small section of the property,” he said. “The rest was slab on grade, so there should not be any soil issues. To my knowledge, there will be no remediation needed.”

Infrastructure, such as water and sewer, should also be fairly straightforward.

“Sewer and water service lines are capped,” Healy said. “There is nothing needed, other than applying for new service, and having a tap installed. New service lines go to the curb line.”

The city is taking requests for proposals for the “sale and mixed-use commercial development of the properties at 201, 227 and 229 Jefferson Avenue” until March 19. The three lots offer a total of 0.55 acres of space.

The city has no set asking price for purchase of the lots by a developer.

“When the city opted to purchase these lots, the idea was to make the property available to anyone who has a development idea,” Healy said. “When those ideas are presented to the city, we will determine what is best for the Historic Business District.”

Healy said if no RFPs are received this month, the city will continue to reach out to companies about the availability of the property.

“We will continue to market the lots to developers,” he said.

Healy added it is also important for land to be redeveloped because empty lots can result in lost revenue for the city.

“Certain fees and water and sewage charges are absent on empty lots. This can be especially important in the business district,” he said.

“An open lot in this area may be wonderful for Jefferson Friday evenings, and other city events, but it would be non-productive the rest of the year. An empty lot will not drive people to the Historic Business District.”

The redevelopment could have a big positive impact.

“It has been a long time since something new has been constructed on Jefferson Avenue,” he said. “With recent changes in ownership of other properties, there is a new feeling in the district. “This could be a real kick-start to that redevelopment. New businesses drive people to the area, which affects other businesses greatly.”