By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The Tucker County Development Authority is seeking a new future for the site of what had long been the County’s “Industrial Park” following the completion of a comprehensive review of the property on Route 48 in Davis. The multi-agency process provided a clear understanding of the site’s characteristics and potential for future development, but it was not the news the Development Authority wanted to hear.
“It’s not exactly what we had hoped for, but this process finally gives us clarity about what the site can and can’t support,” said Steven Leyh, Executive Director of the Tucker County Development Authority. “The property still holds potential for projects that create jobs, benefit the community, and strengthen the local economy, albeit on a much smaller scale. This review process marks the beginning of reimagining the site to maximize its value for Tucker County.”
The result came from two years of work with the West Virginia Division of Economic Development’s Site Ready Program and its consultants. Through the program, factors such as size, configuration, wetlands and limited excess utility capacity were deemed to make traditional industrial development impractical. It was recommended, the Authority reports, that a focus on alternative uses that better align with the property’s characteristics would be a more in line with the results of the findings. It was also suggested the term “industrial park” could present the wrong impression to modern industrial users who need requirements that the property simply does not have.
“The consultants concluded that the property is not suited for traditional industrial use, despite being labeled an “industrial park,” the Tucker County Development Authority said in their statement.
The characteristics of the property were vastly different than they are today, the Authority reports. Factors such as floodplain and highway expansion led to altering the area’s developable areas. There was also a second entrance that was eliminated, the Authority reports, that further altered access to the site’s developable areas.
“Over time, natural features such as wetlands and the Beaver Creek floodplain have expanded, encroaching on developable land, and part of the property was lost to the highway right-of-way,” the Authority said in their statement.
After the review, the area was left with three accessable, vacant lots with direct road access that measure approximately five, eight and 10 acres. The sites are too small and irregularly shaped for large-scale industrial projects, the Authority reports, but would suit commercial operations, niche manufacturing or other development opportunities.
There are also 34 acres that are currently inaccessible, the Authority reports. Development of the land would require extending an access road, crossing wetlands and investing in utilities at significant cost and regulatory approvals, the Authority reports.
“With a clear understanding of the site’s characteristics and limitations, the Tucker County Development Authority can now focus on attracting projects that are well-suited to the property and provide lasting value to the community,” the Authority said in their statement.
The Tucker County Authority Board and Executive Director Steven Leyh worked with engineers, site selection experts, utility providers, environmental consultants, State and Federal partners and others to conduct a detailed evaluation of the site. The evaluation included an updated boundary survey, property title search, environmental and cultural assessments, wetland and floodplain studies, as well as a comprehensive evaluation of utilities and infrastructure. The Authority also continues to coordinate with the Town of Davis on the Town’s ongoing stormwater separation project to further enhance wastewater capacity thereby improving the property’s readiness for future projects.
The Authority calls the review a “critical step” and credits the Development Authority’s Board’s proactive role throughout the process with reaching its conclusion. The Authority also credits the Tucker County Commission for its role in helping throughout the process.
“The board actively sought answers, provided strategic guidance, and offered diligent oversight to ensure the evaluation was thorough and focused on long-term community benefits. The Tucker County Commission also supported efforts to clarify the property’s potential, helping ensure the process was collaborative and forward-looking,” the Authority said in their statement.
“With the review complete, the Tucker County Development Authority is positioned to pursue development projects that best fit the property’s characteristics and limitations, ensuring the site becomes a true, long-term asset for Tucker County,” the Authority said in their statement.
