New River Gorge National Park Service to hold meeting on proposed demolition of structures

OAK HILL, West Virginia. — The proposed demolition of nearly 20 historic structures within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is back on the table.

The New River Gorge National Park Service will hold a meeting Tuesday evening in Oak Hill to provide the public with more information about the proposed demolition and to receive comments.

The NPS is proposing a series of investments to upgrade water and sewer infrastructure, renovate visitor facilities in the park, restore several historic structures, and remove other historic and non-historic structures that have become a hazard to visitors. This is part of an overall project funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Heritage Restoration Fund to improve the visitor experience and reduce the environmental impact of the New River Watershed.

New River Gorge National Park Interpretation Chief Eve West said the environmental assessment of the project to demolish up to 19 historic structures in the park, as well as one modern addition to a historic structure, is part of the overall project and complies with requirements set by the National Environmental Policy Act. .

West said people attending Tuesday’s meeting can expect a full agenda outlining the project.

“We’re going to be providing information to the public first, we’re going to be talking about the project and some of its elements, as well as alternatives to environmental assessment,” she said.

West said most of the structures proposed for demolition are in the Thurmond Historic District in the northern part of the park, but a couple are in other areas. They include:

. Charles Ashley Garage
. Charles Ashley Outhouse
. Mae Bagoski’s House
. Harold Smith House
. Young House of Wedzel
. Tom Kelly House
. Thurmond Ice House
. McGuffin Garage
. Erskine Pugh House Rent
. Philip A. McClung / Meadows House
. Sidney Allen Ward House
. James Humphrey Sr. House
. Marilyn Brown House
. Dun Glen Building
. Dun Glen Ark
. Mini Ark Dun Glen
. Dun Glen Boat Storage Rack
. Prince Brothers General Store
. Brookside Pool Chemical Cleaning Building
. Extension to Vallandingham House

The EA determines that many of these structures came into the ownership of the National Park Service as a result of land acquisition within established park boundaries and were not intended for reuse by the NPS.

West said during Tuesday’s meeting they will present three alternatives to what the NPS could do with the structures.

“One is no action, two is to demolish all proposed redundant historic structures, and three is to preserve proposed redundant historic structures that have high potential for reuse,” she said.

West said the main goal of the proposed plan is to address the park’s deferred maintenance needs and eliminate annual maintenance.

Removing these unnecessary structures will allow them to focus more of their resources on accomplishments that actually better serve their overall purpose, she said.

“We try to focus on those buildings and structures that are the most important, the most visible and tell the story best,” West said. “This way, instead of spreading our resources so thin, we can focus our resources on the most important historical and cultural elements of the park.”

She said most of these structures they want to demolish have also become overgrown safety hazards that have been the target of trespasses and vandalism.

West said many of them are just outbuilding-like structures anyway that don’t have that much historical or cultural significance.

“You know, there are some houses, there are some buildings, but many of them are also outbuildings and garages, and most of these buildings are in dilapidated condition, many of them were not originally designed to last long. said West.

The proposed project is currently in the planning and design stages and is potentially subject to change.

A meeting on the proposed demolition will be held at the New River Convention Center in Oak Hill on Tuesday at 6 p.m. West said people can also visit their website to learn more about the project and leave comments there if they are unable to make it to the meeting.