GLEN JEAN, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The future of structures proposed for demolition in New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is still unknown despite reports stating that a decision to lease the buildings has been made.
Officials with the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve have confirmed to LOOTPRESS that no official decision has been made regarding the proposed demolition of 35 “deteriorating and excess structures” within park boundaries.
Of these 35 buildings, 21 hold historical significance and are either listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places.
14 of those proposed structures are located within the Thurmond Historic District, a former railroad town with four residents remaining.
A public meeting was held on January 11th at the Glen Jean Bank regarding the park’s plan.
The next phase of the project, development of a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA), is currently underway. It will consist of two or more alternatives and the NPS will select a preferred alternative.
Park officials say that the DEA has not yet been released for additional public comment, and no decision has been made. The proposal is currently the same.
A second public comment period and meeting will be scheduled once those proposals are made after the completion of the DEA and those comments considered in selection of a final alternative and publication of an EA.
The NPS plans to have this phase completed by the middle of the year.
An article has been published this week stating that the NPS has decided to instead allow the leasing of the 14 buildings in Thurmond proposed for demolition.
Park officials say that this is false and emphasized that no official decision has been made on any of the structures.
New River Gorge National Park & Preserve officials released the following statement to LOOTPRESS on Friday:
“The comments made by Superintendent [Charles] Sellars about entertaining the idea of leasing structures were in reference to the 19 at Thurmond that are not on the proposed demolition list, rather than the 14 that are proposed for demolition due to their advanced state of deterioration. We’re unsure of where the information in this article came from, or if it was just that the Superintendent’s comments were misinterpreted.”
Stick with LOOTPRESS for the latest.
