KINGWOOD — Kingwood City Council will seek grant funding to study the economic impact and viability of constructing a sidewalk on the east side of the city.
According to Preston County Economic and Development Association (PCEDA) Director Robbie Baylor, the goal of the project is to provide a safe avenue for walkers and people with mobility issues between downtown Kingwood and the Kingwood shopping plaza.
“What we’re looking at is a study to determine if a sidewalk from the (W.Va.) Route 7 and 26 intersection to the plaza is feasible before we apply for a grant,” Baylor said during a recent Kingwood Council meeting.
Dr. Lynn Housner, a member of the audience, said he could go from the Kingwood Pharmacy to the plaza, but the sidewalks on East Main Street need to be brought into compliance.
“Maybe it would be better to have the Buckwheat Express make a few extra stops and take people to and from the plaza,” he said.
Mayor Jean Guillot said the city was not responsible for the upkeep of the sidewalks. He said the local residents are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their homes.
“There is no law that I know of that requires landowners to make their sidewalks accessible,” he said.
“What we’re looking at is connecting the east and west. The first step is a study. If it’s not feasible, it will not be addressed again. This is a way to connect both sides of our city,” councilwoman Kathy Mace said.
Housner suggested taking a survey of people walking. He said to be compliant there could be no more that a 2% incline for individuals in wheelchairs.
Anyone with comments and/or suggestions about the project can contact the PCEDA at 304-329-2299 or email pceda@prestonwva.com; or the City of Kingwood at 304-329-1225 or email City Clerk Rhonda Ridenour at rridenour@kingwoodwv.gov.
In other business, council voted to provide $729,026 in ARPA funds for Preston County Parks and Recreations’ budgeted projects. The projects included the repair of a sewer line at the pool, office renovation and resealing the tennis court.
Council also discussed the possibility of selling West Point Park. Guillot said some residents are using the park as part of their backyard. He said the city’s attorney indicated it would be OK if council sold the property.
Mace said before selling the property could be considered it would have to be surveyed. She believes the property would have to be auctioned because it is public land. It was also suggested the property would have a title search and be partitioned off.
Council accepted the resignation of Supervisor Bruce Pyles as code enforcer and appointed William McNear to the position.
Council approved closing the office for an hour in October so employees could attend the funeral of World War II veteran James Manown. Council also approved the purchase of a banner with Manown’s picture to be hung at the entrance of Maplewood Cemetery during the burial. The banner will then be presented to his family.
The next meeting of the Kingwood City Council will be 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10.
