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Huntington, Charleston, Jackson County and Fairmont in WV along with Portsmouth, OH locally all advanced to the Quarter Finals/Top 50. Looks like they'll make another cut in a year and the winner will be chosen in 2017.
In the quarterfinal round, Huntington will receive $50,000 to develop comprehensive strategies to accelerate the revival of it local economy and improve the quality of life. The city’s application focused on the Highlawn brownfield revitalization project; the West End River to Rail initiative; the Hal Greer Boulevard and Fairfield West revitalization project; and tying the bricks-and-mortar projects together with the deployment of high-speed broadband.
Quote:
Huntington now will have six months to complete its revitalization plans and compete for up to an additional $3 million bring its economic development ideas to life.
Hopefully this means that within 6 months time we will see some detailed plans related to these revitalization and development projects. I would assume that we will see detailed plans related to the Harris Riverfront Park Revitalization Project, the ACF/Brownfields project, the Hal Greer Blvd./Fairfield West project, the proposed hotel on the West end, etc.
I hope we do start to see some plans. Hopefully we hear something on the $400,000 Brownfield Grant that the HMDA applied for too. Not sure we'll see anything about the Riverfront as part of this as I don't believe that it was mentioned in the video as part of the application. If they were smart though, they'd try to find a way to tie it together as that would really increase the scope of the redevelopment potential.
Here's a link to the video since it was directly involved in this:
Okay so this is pretty sweet! We finally get some details about the projects that we can expect to see develop over the next 5-6 years. It was also nice to see some artist renderings for the polymer research facility and Hal Greer developments.
This is great to finally see! I really hope these plans come to fruition rather than ending up on a shelf somewhere. Each of those projects would really help to move out city forward. I would guess that the Roverftont development wasn't included for a couple of reasons. One, it wouldn't have the same economic impact that the projects chosen would. It would definitely be a draw but when you are trying to impress in a competition, you have to focus and consider what will make the biggest impact. Two, there's already a developer for the Riverfront currently looking for grant funding. None of the other projects chosen aren't that far off the ground. Hopefully we hear something about the Riverfront soon though.
This is great to finally see! I really hope these plans come to fruition rather than ending up on a shelf somewhere. Each of those projects would really help to move out city forward. I would guess that the Roverftont development wasn't included for a couple of reasons. One, it wouldn't have the same economic impact that the projects chosen would. It would definitely be a draw but when you are trying to impress in a competition, you have to focus and consider what will make the biggest impact. Two, there's already a developer for the Riverfront currently looking for grant funding. None of the other projects chosen aren't that far off the ground. Hopefully we hear something about the Riverfront soon though.
Oh yeah Superior Marine is working with the city on that. However, I'm sure it's economic impact will compare to these projects. It was estimated at $100 million. Must be worth something. Lol
I have no doubt that the economic impact will be there for the Riverfront but the projects listed will encompass/solve many more issues. Revitalization of distressed and brownfield areas, new housing, new jobs, etc. That's what I was referring to with impact. You can make a bigger impression with those types of projects rather than simply doing a massive overhaul of the Riverfront. Plus the other projects bring more community entities together showing the cooperative spirit needed to make the project happen and win the money. They hit all of the buzz words judges are likely looking for.
And it was like they heard us or something:
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The City would enter a 50 year agreement with Huntington Marine for redevelopment of Huntington's riverfront, which in the words of Mayor Williams will create the largest riverfront development between Pittsburgh and Cairo, Illinois. In a February 2015 article, Williams described the reinvention of Harris Riverfront Park (HRFP) into a Harris Riverfront Park that would turn it into a large scale regional tourist attraction, transitioning the blacktopped East End into a "boardwalk" with boutique shops and restaurants running alongside the floodwall. SEE, Reinvented Harris Riverfront Park Envisioned as Destination Tourist Attraction | Huntington News
Architectural designs are in progress with the first construction beginning in the Spring of 2016.
Specific details of the public - private partnership will be released as design proceeds.
Attorney Nord emphasized the long term nature of the plan acknowledges that council may not obligate funds beyond a specific fiscal year and anticipates that the Army Corps. of Engineers renews a lease with the city for the HRFP.
Last edited by tbailey1138; 11-23-2015 at 06:57 AM..
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