MEADOW RIVER RAIL TRAIL

MEADOW RIVER RAIL TRAIL

Nicholas, Fayette and Greenbrier Rail Line CSX Abandonment 2008 Greenbrier and Fayette County Partnership 2009 16.7 mile Purchased in July 2011.

Trail Development Begins: Obama Stimulus Grant Six Mile Section Completed Fall 2014 Design and Planning for Completion of Trail

Dedication of Trail Fall of 2014 CSX Announces Abandonment of Final 6.2 Miles 2015

Commissions Agree To Purchase from CSX Purchase Agreement Completed Fall 2015 Flood of June 2016

Trail Surface Damage Russellville Trestle Destroyed

Coordination of DOH, FEMA, Commissions Plans for Total Reconstruction and Expansion CSX Issues: Environmental Assessment Abandonment Issue New Ownership Process Now Moving Forward Construction to Begin This Year!!!

Meadow River Trail Project

QUESTIONS?

Nicholas, Fayette and Greenbrier Rail Lines

Matt Ford, LRS CORE Environmental Services, Inc. 292 Oak Carriage Drive, Lewisburg, WV 24901 mford@core-env.com

History of Industrial Use

Site-Specific Challenges Former and Current Land Use Current Site Conditions Property access Off-site contamination Multiple responsible parties Regulatory requirements

Environmental Liability Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Remediation / Risk Evaluation

Redevelopment Resources Brownfields Assessment Funding WVDEP Assessment Grant Northern and Southern Brownfields Assistance Centers Brownfields Utilization, Investment, and Local Development (BUILD) Act Prioritizes waterfront redevelopment projects

Redevelopment Resources

Redevelopment Resources

Group Discussion / Questions Anna Withrow Northern WV Brownfields Assistance Center Paul Brake City of Morgantown Fritz Boettner Downstream Strategies Doug Hylton Meadow River Rail Trail Matt Ford CORE Environmental Services

Reimaging Your Waterfront Urban Riverfront & Brownfield Development West Virginia Brownfields Conference September 6, 2018

Objectives 1. Understanding the history what brought us to where we are today. 2. Leveraging resources bring stakeholders and partners together. 3. Secure financial resources to carry out the improvements. 4. What is the appropriate design for the community.

Historical Background Morgantown early settlement in the late 1700 s. Growth of the community export of lumber, food, iron and pottery transported via the Monongahela River. First steamboat reached Morgantown in 1826. Monongahela River drops some 90 feet between Morgantown and Pittsburgh.

Historical Background (continued) Without dams, much of the river consisted of scenic stretches and exposed rocks. Early locks were construction in 1910. Modernizations started in the 1940 s. Locks and dams were completed shortly after the 1950 s.

Early River Use - Industrial Aerial View of the river in 1908 and Wharf coal unloading area in 1941. Source West Virginia University Regional History Center

Early Use - Transportation Source West Virginia University Regional History Center

Riverfront Resource Guide Excellent example of a resource guide from Riverlife. A non-profit organization in Pittsburgh, PA. 1. Partnership Building 2. Fundraising 3. Design and Construction

Riverfront Resource Guide #1 Partnership Building What are the objectives and time frame of the project? Why is this project important? Where is this project located? Who are the key stakeholders? Source Riverlifepgh.org

Riverfront Resource Guide #2 Fundraising Sources of Public Funding Federal Resources (regional offices) State Resources (regional offices) County/City Resources Sources of Private Funding Individuals Foundations Corporations Source Riverlifepgh.org

Riverfront Resource Guide #3 Design + Construction Convene a small group of community members and leaders to brainstorm ideas and gather feedback. Follow local procurement requirements to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to landscape architects or civil engineers. Develop a concept design, cost estimate, and construction document. Source Riverlifepgh.org

Study Current Conditions Site Assessment & Recommended Improvements Study done by Brailsford & Dunlavey on the guiding principles of preserving site characteristics, retaining current amphitheater and improving park experience. Site challenges identified: Size/Site limits opportunity for amphitheater stage. Access to water landing area is difficult for large trucks. Needed ADA requirements. As dynamic multi-purpose center, the design needs a fully integrated pedestrian and bike friendly access.

Current Condition

Current Condition (Continued)

Schematic Design

Questions?

Brownfields and Waterways By: Anna Withrow, NBAC Programs Manager

Brownfields and Waterways Many Brownfield Sites are on Waterways- Glass and Pottery Factories, Steel Mills, Coal Processing Facilities, and Power Plants, connected by railroads, transformed waterways into industrial spaces. Weirton Steel Weirton, WV

Brownfields and Waterways All Brownfields are impacting waterways- Quality Glass Van Voorhis, WV Weirton Steel Weirton, WV

Redevelopment Case Study Quality Glass Van Voorhis, WV

Brown to Blue, in Concept - Recognizing impaired waterways as brownfields How can site redevelopment throughout a watershed improve the perception and quality of local waterways? Stormwater management Waterfront development Community education

The River Towns Program