By Stephen Smoot
The Pendleton County Commission’s endeavor to provide a more secure home for county and state offices took steps forward in April. Renovations and upgrades opened up several office spaces for agencies at the county and the state levels.
Last spring through about June, relentlessly heavy rains created stormwater management issues in Franklin and fears of the possibility of the South Branch River coming out of its banks. Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator, and others feared that flood zone maps no longer represented the reality of when and how often floods from that river would occur.
The rise in elevation of the river bed could make zones previously declared safe to now be in danger of flooding. Nearby, the Pendleton Senior and Family Services facility last year saw staff hurriedly bailing water from their facility as rains soaked the region.
Earlier this year, the Pendleton County Commission purchased the former Franklin Elementary School. Originally constructed in 1953, additions were constructed during the years, including the gymnasium in 1975 and a large section at the south end in 1997. Its location on the hillside perched above Franklin’s Town Hall gives it security in major weather events.
Gillespie described the building as “something for Pendleton County to work toward the future . . . the right decision for today and also the long-range.” In recent years, the Redeeming Grace Church had used the school as a religious academy.
One of the contractors whose work has been lauded thus far is Nick Rexrode Construction LLC. Last week he was on a ladder focusing on a hallway ceiling. Gillespie stated that “he and his sub contractors have done a great job.”
Renovations of spaces expected to host agencies almost completely transformed the interior of the structure. Improvements include new flooring, new HVAC, new lighting, removal of lockers, and much more. The large and spacious classrooms with massive glass panel windows designed in a time when such buildings lacked air conditioning changed considerably. New walls, smaller energy-efficient windows, and the dividing of spaces into smaller offices and functional rooms also have changed the look and feel of the building.
“If we could blindfold a person, they would think they were in a brand new building,” he said.
With larger spaces with which to work, some agencies will have the potential to do much more.
Pendleton County’s West Virginia University Extension Office has moved from the community building to the new General Services Building. It will have more room to serve its missions of supporting local agriculture, but also operating 4-H youth programs. Newly created classroom space will provide more flexibility for staff and programs.
The West Virginia Division of Forestry and Department of Natural Resources police will also soon have new homes at the GSB.
The Pendleton County Office of Emergency Management has established its presence with offices, both a large and a small conference room, as well as including a command center for emergencies. A radio room will connect operational communications with HAM radio devices set up around the county. Eddie Caplinger with the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department has worked painstakingly during the years to expand area HAM capabilities for both recreational and emergency communications.
Gillespie explained that during the Flood of ’85, emergency management officials had to relocate from their offices to a Chevrolet dealership storefront. “It was nowhere near ideal,” he said, adding “our job is to be prepared.” OEM space will include not only needed space, but also the advanced technology needed in digital-age emergency response.
The office of emergency management will also include a backup facility for Pendleton 911. Currently in case of emergency, Grant and Pendleton have mutual aid agreements, but a back up center could handle Pendleton alone for short periods of time when needed.
Towards the end of May or the start of June, the Pendleton County Public Service District will also relocate its offices to the GSB. That agency will inhabit the school’s administrative offices and have a built-in drop box for customers to leave payments.
Gillespie noted that “this building has so much potential.” Large banks of space on the main floor facing the parking area, he explained, could be transformed into a “store front” façade. Some community service and state agencies prefer this more welcoming aspect to complement their missions and operations. Plans already include improving the driving and parking areas to expand access.
Future plans include adding public bathrooms near the area that served as a gymnasium for Franklin Elementary School and a sanctuary for Redeeming Grace. That, plus the kitchen already in place, could make the space a future events center.
County officials have worked to bring in aid to help with the cost of renovations. “We’ve asked everybody from the governor’s office on down,” stated Gillespie. He added that State Senators Bill Hamilton and Robbie Morris, who both represent Pendleton County, got the project $65,000.
