“We are approaching this as a partnership project with the city so we want to do what is in the best interest of the city,” Clark said.
“We’ve obviously spent a lot of time and money getting to this point. We are going to spend a lot more now on architects and engineers, which we are excited to do,” Clark said.
“Once we get started, we think it will take us about 14 months to complete construction,” Clark said.
By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Executive Director of Woodlands Development Group Dave Clark addressed a series of concerns and issues that have recently been the center of dissension among the City of Parsons Council. The issues surrounding the construction of a mixed use building on two vacant lots next to the Veterans Memorial on Main St. were discussed by Clark at the Council’s regular June 4th meeting.
The Woodlands project, according to Clark, began in 2021 when former Mayor Dorothy Judy and former City Administrator Jason Myers proposed a revitalization project to the organization. The project, according to Clark, would involve acquiring and clearing the lot next to the Veterans Memorial and rebuilding on the site. “We were approached in 2021 by Dorothy Judy and Jason Myers about taking that project on,” Clark said. “Asking if we could acquire the property, demolish the building, that was pretty substandard, that was on it and then redevelop on that site.”
Clark said that the Council at the time requested that the redevelopment structure contain both commercial and residential. Clark further said there was also a request that some of the residential units serve those who were living there prior. In all, according to Clark, the project will contain 8 apartments and one or two commercial spaces. “Council asked that we redevelop something that had both commercial and residential units in it,” Clark said. “And that at least a portion of the residential units be committed to serving the same target population that were living there prior.”
Clark said the funding took between two and two and half years to acquire for the project. Clark supplied the Council with a document which outlined the funding sources for the project, total amount secured, as well as the income limits for the housing units. In all, Woodlands had secured a total of $3,005,545 for the project from HOME – WV Housing Development Fund, WV Affordable Housing Fund, Federal Home Loan Bank – Pittsburgh, Congressionally Designated Spending Award and Woodlands Equity. “We put together a financing package that would meet those needs,” Clark said. “Again its Commercial-Residential that targets at least some folks at a lower income.”
Clark said that the majority of housing units will contain two bedrooms. The income guidelines the units will follow, according to Clark, will be based on 50% and 80% of median income. The 80% annual guideline for a family of four in Tucker County, according to Clark, is $58,650. “For a family of four, about half the units would be dedicated to people making below $58,650,” Clark said. “Rents, most of them are going to be two bedroom units, those are going to be about 550 to 570.”
Clark said his organization vettes all potential residents to ensure that they do not pay more than 30% of their income. Following a question by Council Member Melissa Jones, Clark said that approximately half of the units would target the 50% income bracket and the remainder would target 80% median income. Clark said that Woodlands also accept Section 8. “We never charge people more than 30% of their household income for rent and utilities,” Clark said. “We wouldn’t put anyone in there that is going to be really strapped. We would check their incomes to make sure they aren’t paying more than 30%.”
The current Council has initially approved a design that would encompass both the Woodlands lot and an empty lot next door. The design would have constructed a pair of three story buildings against the hillside and allowed for a parking lot at the front of the buildings. After a concerned neighbor approached the Council about the impact on the property directly behind, the Council voted to return to the initial design that would construct a single building on the whole of the Woodlands lot and a separte parking lot on the City owned property next door. “We discussed those and I understand a decision was made to go back to the original plan,” Clark said. “Which is fine with us. Like I said, we are committed to the eight units of housing, commercial space.”
Clark said that his organization considers the project to be a partnership with the City of Parsons. “We are approaching this as a partnership project with the city so we want to do what is in the best interest of the city,” Clark said.
According to Clark, the next steps in the process will include the finalization of design and a formal lease agreement for the use of the City owned lot for construction of a parking lot. “Our next steps here would be to finish our design,” Clark said. “We need to finalize the lease agreement for the parking lot. The city has already voted to approve that lease.”
Clark said with Mayor Bruce Kolsun’s permission, he spoke with City Attorney Tim Stranko about the lease for the lot. According to Clark, Attorney Stranko said the lease will be of no real problem and that two public hearings on the lease issue would have to be held, but no problems were anticipated. “I did talk to the City Attorney after consulting with the Mayor,” Clark said. “He said lease is no problem. We’ll have to have a public hearing, to go through two hearings.”
Clark said his organization planned to move forward as if the lease were in place, pending formaization of the agreement. Clark did request that should anything change, that he be informed as soon as possible due to the financial commitments already incurred. Clark further said his firm is excited to move forward with architects and engineers on the next phase of the project. “From our perspective, we are moving forward as if the commitment for a lease agreement on the other lot is still in place,” Clark said. “The only thing I would ask, is that looks as if that is going to change at all, that you just let us know. We’ve obviously spent a lot of time and money getting to this point. We are going to spend a lot more now on architects and engineers, which we are excited to do.”
Clark said he hoped to begin site work before winter and that the total construction time for the project was anticipated to take around 14 months. “Once we get started, we think it will take us about 14 months to complete construction,” Clark said.
The next meeting of the City of Parsons Council will be held Tuesday, June 18th at 6 p.m. at the Charles W. “Bill” Rosenau Municipal Building located at 341 Second Street in Parsons.