(rshsdepot) Mannington, WV

["Jim Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

=46rom the WV Times...

Mannington developing =91Depot Park=92
MANNINGTON
By Marc G. Auber

Goals: Preserving history, promoting business and recreation

Though deafening whistles, billowing puffs of black smoke and the rumble =
of
the rail are but fading memories, the city=92s old train depot stands.
And it=92s completely functional.
Leisha Elliott, Mannington Main Street=92s program director, said the bui=
lding
houses Arrowhead Resources LLC, a =93newly formed liability company in th=
e
energy industry.=94
The structure has been well-maintained and is conveniently located at 104
West Railroad St. near outfits like North Marion IGA, First Exchange Bank
and Rite Aid Pharmacy in the Downtown District.
That considered, MMS members, who serve to preserve history and work to
promote business and recreation in their community, decided some time ago
that it would be a good idea to develop a 100-foot strip of land beside t=
he
depot.
MMS and city officials have been devising a plan to build a rail trail he=
re,
which would ease right by the depot=92s tract.
=93We have been referring to it as the Depot Park,=94 Elliott said.
She said David Brown, a Fairmont native who=92s in Florida, owns the prop=
erty
and Lenny Stafford and Brad Hibbs lease it for Arrowhead.
Elliott has received their support and the city has also backed the proje=
ct,
she said.
She said street department workers recently dug up a segment of an existi=
ng
sidewalk to make way for conduit that will be laid to light a couple of l=
amp
posts.
Officials said they have tied loose ends to close the project, and with a
$6,300 grant from the George W. Bowers Family Charitable Trust, which was
awarded in October, the project is closer to reality.
=93We=92re all legal,=94 Elliott said.
In the end, the park will feature picnic tables and benches similar to th=
ose
at Citizen=92s Square on Market Street, a bicycle rack, a new walkway and
fresh landscaping to include trees, shrubs and flowers.
=93It=92s something we have worked on throughout the entire year ... just=
 coming
up with the work plan,=94 Elliott said.
With money in hand and plan in place, she said it=92s possible that the p=
ark
will be complete in the spring.
=93It will just enhance that part of town,=94 Elliott said. Story created
Friday, December 21, 2001.

------------------------------