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Work on Wellsburg Town Square building continues

A WORK IN PROGRESS — Crews with Modex Contracting of Wellsburg have been working to restore a three-story building at the corner of the Wellsburg Town Square and Charles Street. It’s a project pursued by the city’s urban redevelopment authority that involves two adjacent buildings. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — Work to restore a three-story building at the corner of the city’s Town Square and Charles Street has been moving swiftly, with a new roof and windows to come in the near future.

The project was launched last year with $750,000 in federal funds secured by U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., and former Sen. Joe Manchin at the request of the city’s urban redevelopment authority.

Alex Weld, who chairs the volunteer board, said after stabilizing the 290-year-old structure, crews with Modex Contracting of Wellsburg have installed new framework and flooring for the first two floors and rebuilt the third floor, which had sustained heavy damage from a fire years ago.

She said when suitable weather returns, thermoplastic roofing and new windows will be installed.

Weld said she hopes funding for the project will be enough to pursue stabilization of the building beside it and a new roof for that structure.

The urban redevelopment authority bought the two buildings and a third — at 75 and 67th Seventh Street and 701 Charles Street, respectively — for $100, in hopes of preserving the Town Square.

Long vacant, the three stand at the northeast corner of the plaza, which has been a key location for the Wellsburg Applefest and other public events.

But concerns about their age had led some to consider their removal.

Weld said funds awarded for the project up to this time haven’t required the buildings, all part of the city’s Historic District, to be restored to their original appearance.

Plans call for a two-bedroom apartment on each of the top two floors, each unfurnished but with a washer and dryer, while the ground floor will be marketed for use by a business.

Weld said some interest has been expressed in the bottom floor but nothing she can discuss at this time.

She said the intention is for rent received for the first building to help support renovations to the other buildings.

Weld said the group is exploring grants for that purpose, but they are more difficult to find when there’s isn’t a specific public-oriented goal involved, such as the development of a community center.

The urban development authority has held a series of summer block parties at the square and Charles Street to raise funds.

Set to return this year, they have included live music, food trucks and other vendors.

Weld said drawings for gift baskets proved to be popular at last year’s last block party and there are plans to hold them again.

To be held at a time to be announced, this year’s block parties are slated for June 27, July 25 and August 22.

Weld noted the first is expected to be the first event in the city’s weeklong celebration of Independence Day.

She said downtown businesses, including a local art gallery, have extended their hours around the events, and owners of local bed and breakfasts have welcomed the opportunity to share information about their lodgings.

She said aside from their goal of fundraising, “They are just a nice way to get people together and to get people downtown.”

In an effort to revitalize the city’s downtown business district, the group secured a $15,000 grant from the American Association of Retired Persons to level the brick pavers on the town square and add hexagonal picnic tables a few years ago.

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