Youll hear different accounts of why and how, but almost everyone will agree: Morgantowns Sunnyside neighborhoods on the fringes of West VirginiaUniversitys Downtown Campus need developed and revitalized. And thats what a new non profit corporation, the Campus Neighborhood Revitalization Corp. (CNRC), has in mind.
Armed with a mission statement, incorporation papers, a formal board of directors and a budget, the seven-member panel introduced themselves Monday (Sept. 30) at a news briefing at WVU s ultramodern Life Sciences Building which stands as a centerpiece of progress overlooking the nearby neighborhoods.
“The rebuilding of the neighborhoods around our University is something weve talked about as a City and as a University for years,”said CNRC President Reed Tanner.”This partnership, funded through City and University funds, will allow us to realize those dreams.”
Sunnyside UpCampus Neighborhood Reviatalization CorporationTanner, a certified public accountant and active member of the community, introduced the boards slogan,”Sunnyside Up,”and its new executive director �€a familiar face, Terry Jones, recently retired Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce president.
Jones said he will immediately seek to hire a consultant to help develop a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization implementation strategy for the area. He will also be establishing six local advisory boards �€for environment/recreation; government; business and developer interest; faculty and staff; students; and housing �€and will seek input through neighborhood meetings and workshops.
As the project progresses, Jones noted, one of the primary missions of the board will be to identify and create opportunities for investors and investment partnerships to help rejuvenate the area.
“We want to obviously improve rental housing in the Sunnyside area and also create more housing options for students, faculty, staff and community members,”Jones said.”Wed also like to see other mixed-use ventures spring up in this neighborhood such as retail establishments, offices, bike and walking paths, parking and green space.”
Jones said the goal is”to create a culturally and socio economically diverse neighborhood that is also architecturally pleasing and has character.”
Board member Scott Kelley, WVU vice president for finance, administration and human resources, said the University and City came up with the $200,000 in capital to jump-start the project.
“For WVU , the redevelopment of this area fits perfectly with our campus master plan that has resulted in over $250 million in investments to build four new academic, administrative and recreational facilities on our campus. Its time to branch out, and now through this urban partnership, the entire community will benefit.”
Local attorney Bill Byrne, who serves on City Council and as chairman of the Chambers Vision 2020 Committee, said the urban partnership is much like one established at OhioStateUniversity �€also a land-grant school that is situated in the midst of town.
“What theyre doing in Columbus is remarkable,”Byrne said.”Its all about smart growth, and Morgantown can get there too.”
He said the Citys investment match is equal to WVU s, $100,000
The City can also help, he added, by looking into rezoning options and code enforcement, improving garbage and solid waste collection and addressing public safety issues.
Scott Rotruck, president of the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce, said the concept for the Campus Neighborhoods Revitalization Corp. came out of the Chambers Vision 2020 project, specifically the Committee on Affordable Housing.
“Vision 2020 continues to be a driving force in this community, whether its riverfront development or urban land-use plans in Sunnyside,”he said.”The Chamber is proud to be a central player in this innovative revitalization concept.”