By Stephen Smoot
In the nearly 40 years after the Flood of 1985, the riverbed of the South Branch River has risen from accumulations of debris. Rocks, trees, logs, and other detritus continues to build up in the riverbed, but a phalanx of federal and other regulations block county and conservation district officials from restoring the riverbed to its proper level.
Last week after Pendleton County Commissioners closed on the purchase of the former Franklin Elementary School, officials revealed initial plans for how to use the structure. Rick Gillespie, Pendleton County Emergency Services coordinator, after the regular meeting of the county commission, gave a tour and update on plans to Shelley Murray of the West Virginia Courthouse Facilities Improvement Authority and Jennifer Peasey, economic development director for the office of United States Senator Shelley Moore Capito.
Murray’s office provides grant assistance to counties seeking help with courthouses and related government buildings. Gillespie explained the move in terms of removing county and state offices from the community building. When he shared the rising threat of flooding to the current structure, Murray stated, “Include the part where the current offices are in the flood plain.”
He explained that many of the agencies and offices needed for disaster response, including major floods, are located in the community building and in the path of any flood that would strike the area.
The county engaged Thrasher to come up with proposed plans for the use of the new building. Gillespie said that it shows “we’re not flying by the seat of our pants here,” then showed where about two thirds of the top floor will be designated a restricted area. That area will house the office of emergency management, an emergency operations command center (based on the design of the same facility in Randolph County), the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources Police and Wildlife offices, the West Virginia Department of Forestry, and the Pendleton County Sheriff’s office.
One part of the facility’s top floor will be set aside for coordination with HAM radio operators. Eddie Caplinger with the Franklin Volunteer Fire Department coordinates regularly with local enthusiasts to maintain a network that will be available to supplement emergency communications if needed.
Outside of the restricted zone will be a large room for press use during emergencies.
On the main floor near the main entrance will be the Pendleton County Public Service District, which will receive office space and a conference room. Nearby the former cafeteria, converted into a sanctuary complete with an ample catty-cornered stage, has been envisioned as a space that can be used for community meetings or rented out for events. Gillespie stated that it offers much more space than the current community building for such events. Three large mounted screens allow for the display of video or visual aids.
The main floor will also feature the West Virginia University Extension Service. That agency will receive space for three offices and a full classroom for activities. Remaining space not allocated to offices will be left vacant in case the county needs the space in the future.
Murray and Gillespie discussed a major project that her office could assist with, replacing large banks of single pane windows with walls and smaller windows for security and savings on climate control. Counties can apply for up to $100,000 per year from her program, but must match 20 percent of the total grant award for an 80 to 20 split.
Gillespie also described the need to repair the roof on the north end of the building.
“Parking will obviously not be as convenient as at the community building,” noted Gillespie. He shared that current capacity is at about 50 in the school’s lots with more on side streets. The county will also likely pave over the basketball court to create more parking in the short term.
He subsequently stated that the community building, constructed in 1979, has started showing its age and will have increasing maintenance needs.
