Huntington Considering "Invisible" Flood Wall
Huntington Considering "Invisible" Flood Wall Save Email Print
Posted: 11:23 PM Aug 11, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:23 PM Aug 11, 2008
 Reporter: Dave Benton
Email Address: dave.benton@wsaz.com
34 comments
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- While the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built it 60 years ago to keep Huntington from flooding, the flood wall has hindered economic development, according to some city leaders.

As a result, they're looking at an "invisible" flood wall that can be assembled when needed. A removable barrier is put in place only when floodwaters reach dangerous levels.

"It blocks (Harris Riverfront Park) from the whole city," Bill Toney of the Municipal Development Authority said of the current flood wall. "The best advertisement is sight. If we have new development down there, people need to see it. Now the floodwall is a barrier."

Dave Duffield, owner of Holderby’s Landing, which is located on the Huntington riverfront, said his business comes almost entirely from downtown.

"This is an asset," Duffield said of the Ohio River. "You can't see it (because of the flood wall). It’s a real benefit to the county and state. We've been talking about this for a long time."

City officials say the biggest obstacles for an “invisible” flood wall are money and approval from CSX. Its train tracks run adjacent to the floodwall through much of downtown.

Toney, Mayor David Felinton and the city’s development director are planning a trip to Louisville, Ky., soon to look at a similar “invisible” flood wall.

It could cost nearly $2 million to tear down the existing flood wall, and the city would need federal funding to help with the project.
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Posted by: Ron on Aug 14, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Ah yes, an invisibile floodwall so we can see the Clorox bottles floating downstream; so we can gaze lovingly on the cops handing out speeding tickets in Chesapeake. Why not invisible potholes? I think they just made the Inferno club invisible. I go there and dance on the softball field every Friday and Saturday night.
Posted by: John on Aug 13, 2008 at 06:58 PM
as i remember it they cant find the rails to block the entrances of the existing wall if there is a flood (either lost or stolen).As to the Fourth Avenue debacle, no store with a large enough customer base to pay enough in taxes to pay for the "improvments" will ever open there... Once again we will pay for it and our neighborhood streets will remain unpaved and our sidewalks in disrepair... Crime? oh don't even go there.
Posted by: Heather on Aug 13, 2008 at 04:04 PM
And J- in case you didn't know, the mayor's name is David...hmph..skimmers and uninformed
Posted by: Heather on Aug 13, 2008 at 03:58 PM
To Dave- I like the sound of your idead, but I think the whole city's motive is that they want people to see Pullman from the bridge (and somehow the flood wall prevents that?) But yes, if they just wanted to sorta "update" the floodwall, I think having local artists (including Marshall, OUSC and surrounding universities' art students) come and paint the wall. Maybe have a section that would be devoted to what the "old Huntington" use to look like? I think it would be a good idea and you might even be able to get local businesses to donate the funds and/or paint to do it and have a plaque with the names of the people and/or companies that contributed on it. Good idea-much better than tearing it down.
Posted by: Think Anon-1 talkin 'bout me! on Aug 13, 2008 at 02:53 PM
Ok Im the one who posted about whats to see if a transparent ones put up. (Stupid Idea 8/12 bums? dirty brown water? trash? Is Anon-1 who suggest WSAZ put up an abuse report button referring to MY post? Well if so then yep Im bein sarcastic BUT its true friend! As far as immature nope, I'm as mature as you. Just realistic & Ive lived probably longer than you Anon & have lived in H'ton a LOT longer probably too I've seen a LOT of these cutesy little projects that cost an arm & leg come & go along with tax $$$$ spent on them foolishly The 9th St Plaza with that expensive piece of sculpture that was only used by bums & kids trashing it. THEN we had to pay to REMOVE all that AND re-open the Plaza. Thats just one of these fashionable projects that later had to be removed @ OUR expense. Just more whims of some "leaders" We cant even use the R'park for bums & pervs now so why look @ them thru a wall? When the river floods it brings trash up high on the bank Sarcastic?
Posted by: Hey I'm sarcastic & immature! on Aug 13, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Excuse me, but since when is being "sarcastic" and/or "immature" seen as "abuse" that should be REPORTED? I'm referring to the post by "Anon-1" here that suggests you establish a REPORT ABUSE button! Geesh. What next? It's "ABUSE" to be funny, irreverant, oh and of COURSE to be (gasp) NON-PC???? Last time I checked it isn't against any public message board OR public law in any genre to be sarcastic or even "immature"! Come on folks. Lighten up. I will refrain from adding an "LOL" to my comments from now on too in case I'm offending anyone AND since I may be "reported" to WSAZ'S PC police! Nah - WSAZ's pretty cool about such things & I'm sure they're all for freedom of speech here too as long as we don't use profanity, pornography, threats or things that ARE truly "abuse" of their boards so I doubt that WSAZ's going to allow us to be "reported as abusers" for simply being our sarcastic, pessimistic, childish, immature selves.
Posted by: To Anon-1 8/12/08 1:13 p.m. on Aug 13, 2008 at 09:51 AM
A "report abuse section"??? I don't see ANYTHING posted here on this thread that constitutes "ABUSE"! Come on! People are allowed to post their comments & opinions whether you like them or not. Free country yet - well for the most part. A LOT of people like you want EVERYONE'S voice silenced but thankfully WSAZ is one place who still allows & VALUES the freedom of speech/opinion/expression right! Just because YOU don't agree with something doesn't mean it's "ABUSE" and that you can "report" the rest of us & our opinions! How dare you! YOU don't speak for me or anyone else here. YOUR post was highly "abusive" to the rest of us IMHO So we're "immature" and "sarcastic"! So what? Is that hurting you? Oh let me guess, YOU'RE one of the PC police so if someone doesn't think or respond the way YOU think they should, it's ABUSE! Give us all a HUGE break & YOU go away. Don't like what we say? Don't read it! THANKS WSAZ for allowing us our right to express OUR thoughts!
Posted by: Dave on Aug 13, 2008 at 09:24 AM
I agree the crime and streets in Huntington need more attention than the floodwall but consider the art work like Portsmouth and Cattlettsburg Ky. has put on their floodwalls they are wonderfull to look at and I don't think they would cost 2 million to do ?
Posted by: J on Aug 13, 2008 at 08:34 AM
Why are some of you idiots blaming Dave, the reporter, for the idea of replacing the floodwall? You realize this is not his idea, he's merely doing his job by reporting a story based on someone else's idea. I do agree it is a waste of money. The town tends to flood from the inside more often than from the river. Money needs to go to fixing the sewage system so we don't have sewage flooding our streets when we a strong rain.
Posted by: Heather on Aug 12, 2008 at 11:31 PM
And Bluebird- I praise you for thinking there is good still left in some people, but that's not a reality. If our judicial system would actually put away thieves and hardened drug lords in jail for 30 years and bring back the death penalty and put to death the murderers and child molestors/rapists- EVENTUALLY people will get the message and crime would go down. Granted there won't be ZERO crime, but it won't be on a bi-weekly (or sometimes daily) basis that people are getting robbed and/or killed.
Posted by: Heather on Aug 12, 2008 at 10:05 PM
The fact that our city officials feel that a flood well is hindering the economic development tells you how much our officials know about economic development in general-none. The fact of the matter is, no one wants to build corporations in towns with as low of populations as ours. Furthermore, people don't want to live here because someone is getting killed or robbed bi-weekly here due to the drug problem. We need more cops, houses torn down, and streets paved. You can't just pave one street in each part of town and call it a day. (I.e. 14th St. W. and Pullman Square) WE (as a city) need to put all new officials in office. THEY are wasting our money by helping out buddies. $2 mil could be put to MUCH better use than tearing down a floodwall. Plus, who wants to hang on the riverfront, when you have to worry about the homeless and crack heads? PLEASE Huntington residents, realize your money is being thrown away and vote for new officials this year! Felinton loves KY more than WV-MOVE!
Posted by: bluebird on Aug 12, 2008 at 09:53 PM
All the cops in the world can't stop the drugs and the shootings. Change comes from the heart, the heart of mankind, and until mankind changes his heart...then there will never be peace within your cities. I would say to "pray" for peace, but by todays standards I would be a minority trying to push my beliefs upon others. I realize that I have gone off topic and I appologize.
Posted by: Paul on Aug 12, 2008 at 08:54 PM
How about finishing the invesible Drug Wall first Dave.Hire More officers with this 2 Mil. Use the cash and property we collect from these thugs to build your flood wall. First things First. In order for any reputable buisness to set up shop you better take care off the CRIME first Dave.Have You Not been tuning into WSAZ or are you turning a deaf ear.Whos going to move into a Small town with the crime rates like ours.
Posted by: What? on Aug 12, 2008 at 08:51 PM
They honestly think the floodwall is a big enough problem to spend that much money on, just because it's "blocking a view" or "ugly"?? Give me a break!!! Pave your roads and put the crackheads away, then worry about the wall!!
Posted by: Jamie on Aug 12, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I think it would be incredibly irresponsible for Huntington City Counsel to approve this "invisible wall." There are several more important things that Huntington needs to address first. If they are able to get it funded 100% by federal money then ok but until then focus on the employees and residents first. The residents and workers in Huntington pay the bills, let them decide.
Posted by: anon-1 on Aug 12, 2008 at 01:13 PM
This comments section needs a "report abuse" button. It is fine to comment against. However, some of the comments are just immature or sarcastic.
Posted by: DC on Aug 12, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Let's work on getting streets paved and all the necessities first.
Posted by: Westmoreland Resident on Aug 12, 2008 at 12:27 PM
If it isn't broke then don't fix it! Before tearing down the floodwall let's look at fixing up what we have to encourage economic development. Let's fix the sewer system and the road system and make it a place people want to live and do business in. We also pay more taxes and fees than any other town that I know of.
Posted by: Chris on Aug 12, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Huntington talks about there so broke but they will spend money to tear down a wall! Give me a break, hire more officers to help with all the drugs and shootings!
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 12, 2008 at 11:28 AM
This would be great!! It will match perfectly with our invisible local economy, the invisible businesses all over downtown, and our invisible law enforcement.
Posted by: Mike on Aug 12, 2008 at 10:50 AM
$2,000,000 to have tis done. I would just like to see the streets in Huntington get a fresh cost of pavement. Or, cameras on streets where I can watch drug deals go down at 2:00 in the afternoon. Or, a better sewer system. Or, . . . really . . .sounds like a trip to Lexington on tax payers backs. Just remember that election time is VERY NEAR>
Posted by: carebear on Aug 12, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Why don't they use some of the empowerment money the federal government gave them?
Posted by: gene on Aug 12, 2008 at 09:59 AM
huntington cannot afford to fix the roads now. the city has other major problems instead of wasting money on camera on every street light and a new flood wall. not to mention the cost to put up the wall 4-5 times a year. just another waste of taxpayers money.
Posted by: al on Aug 12, 2008 at 09:47 AM
if it isn't broke don't fix it
Posted by: Furious on Aug 12, 2008 at 09:12 AM
I am not giving you $2 a week of my hard earned money to replace the floodwall! FIX THE ROADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Greg on Aug 12, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Nice and peaceful park, but it's all covered up by this outdated flood wall. Hope the deal gets passed!
Posted by: theresa on Aug 12, 2008 at 08:32 AM
it seems to me that all big citys care about is busniess.our flood wall is falling our lives will be effected.all we recieved was used stone placed infront of it.i even ask mr strickland to veiw the problm or send an agent of his office i love where i live and the pepole it was a job done by the army corp over 60 years ago.i have heard that ironton needs a new floodwall that hungington needs one well what about crabtree hollow? we seriously need one now.or could be that our community just isnt as important as the nice houses in those areas?we are pepole with lives and familys who work live and pay bills just as every one eles our homes are not as nice as most but they are our homes.we just want our flood wall fixed.
Posted by: Joker on Aug 12, 2008 at 07:49 AM
Instead of tearing down the whole flood wall. Why not just remove the section in front of the park and install the "invisible wall" there. Then everybody can see the park and our town is still protected. Huntington does not have the manpower to put up a temporary in the event of a flood. Shortcuts will arise and the town will be destroyed. Like my father told me... If it aint broke-don't fix it.
Posted by: Cob on Aug 12, 2008 at 06:39 AM
Weel,I see a lawsuit for CSX coming on when someone gets hit by coal off a train. And secondly, do we really want to depend on Huntinton to get a wall up in time to save hundreds of people and homes. Lets just start with paving a pothole and see where it goes from there.
Posted by: STUPID IDEA on Aug 12, 2008 at 06:21 AM
This is one of THE dumbest ideas they've had in quite awhile. There's a REASON that "ugly" old floodwall was erected and a REASON why it's still there and SHOULD be there. The floodwall isn't the "ugly" problem of Huntington folks. THAT would be the crime, the drugs...ALL the HUMAN trash as well as literal trash on the streets. THAT would be all the empty bldgs; the empty houses falling down; the potholes/sinkholes; the FLOODING due to the antiquated SEWER system; LACK of adequate police protection & on and on. You can't make a silk purse out of a pigs ear as the old folks used to say so it's gonna take a LOT more than a transparent floodwall people! Just one more MORONIC "idea" some of our "leaders" have to use up more $$$$$ when they supposidly dont have enough of that to even hire one more police officer or pay the pensions/benefits of the ones they have OR of the city workers! Besides, what's to "look" at & SEE along the River? BUMS? TRASH? Brown Water? PULEEZE
Posted by: seaweed2626 on Aug 12, 2008 at 03:54 AM
why tear summin good down its protected us ever since the thing was built.plus it has very few problems. and they want to replacce it? why spend the money on a stupid removable flood wall when the city could finish pavin 4th ave from 29th street to 31st (which it needs) or rebuild the 5th ave bridge goin into guyandotte
Posted by: John on Aug 12, 2008 at 02:56 AM
Atta Boy, Dave! Something else to waste money on in Huntington. We need more police officers, streets paved, crack houses tore down, etc. and all you can worry about is an invisible flood wall. What a way to show enthusiasm for rebuilding Huntington. I think we need some new leaders with some fresh ideas for the city.
Posted by: bonn on Aug 12, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Oh, by all means!! Money always comes before safety. Leave the wall alone. It works.
Posted by: bob on Aug 12, 2008 at 12:06 AM
just tear down the whole town so we can clean all the killers and dope dealers out of town they have already took the town away from us
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  • Posted By: ann: I agree with ladyA its CHRISTMAS
  • Posted By: LadyA: WSAZ- Could you please change the word Holiday to Christmas on your question? The word Holiday offends me.
  • Posted By: mad: To the doofus deer hunter who knocked my mailbox over on gritt rd if you cant drive any better than that you shouldnt have a GUN and thanks for letting us know you smashed the mailbox. MERRY CHRISTMAS DOOFUS
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