MORGANTOWN — Nonprofit Historic Post Office Building Inc. is asking the Monongalia County Commission to join the city of Morgantown and local Rotarians in supporting plaster restoration efforts in the 109-year-old building at 107 High St.
HPO member Billy Atkins appeared before the commission on Wednesday to request consideration for an $18,362 grant that would allow plaster repairs in the building’s first-floor theater.
Funding from the city ($20,000) and local Rotary groups ($6,000) covered the cost of repairs to the building’s lobby and Benedum Gallery.
Addressing the theater, Atkins explained, would open the entire first floor for use.
“Basically, there’s three areas within the building on the main floor that if we can get the plaster restored, we can use it for events and fundraising in the short term — over the next 12, 18, 24 months — while we’re doing the fundraising for the larger restoration project,” he said.
Atkins went on to say that Commercial Development Company, one of the few plaster restoration crews available, is already set up on site.
“If we can get this done while they’re there, it’s going to save us money,” he said. “Once they leave, we’re not sure when we’ll be able to get plaster workers back in there.”
The building has been home to the Monongalia Arts Center since 1978. It also houses Your Community Foundation and the Morgantown History Museum. YCF is currently operating out of an office at 201 High St. due to the building’s condition.
More information about the project is available at hpomorgantown.com.
Also on Wednesday, the commission received a brief 4-H Camp update from Becca Fint-Clark, WVU Monongalia County 4-H extension agent.
Fint-Clark said nearly 300 campers took part in the three 4-H camps hosted at Camp Muffly.
Ben Martin participated in two of those camps, one as a camper and another as a teen counselor for younger kids.
Martin said he’s been involved in 4-H for a decade and has always looked forward to camp.
“Seeing kids in the shoes I was in, and seeing them have fun, I know I’m giving them the memories that I have. It warms my heart,” he said.
In other news, the commission filled a couple key openings on its roster, hiring Cal Carlson as the county’s new GIS coordinator.
Carlson, who will move out of the county clerk’s office to take the new role starting Aug. 7, fills an opening created in April, when Mike Paugh left after 15 years in the GIS role.
The commission also hired Corwin Hoban to take over as superintendent of Chestnut Ridge Park.
Lastly, Dan Berry has been appointed to serve on the Monongalia County Board of Health in the seat previously held by Toni DiChiacchio.
