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Updated: 8:08 PM Jul 21, 2009
The Future of Kinetic Park
The City of Huntington is rethinking the future of Kinetic Park
Posted: 8:05 PM Jul 21, 2009Reporter: Bill Murray Email Address: bill.murray@wsaz.com |
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Just off the interstate in Huntington, the brush may be masking the possibilities. The upper level of Kinetic Park for the most part, sits idle.
Tom Bell, the head of Huntington’s Municipal Development Authority says the city is on to plan b, “We are going to take another look at possible uses for Kinetic Park,” Bell said.
Government grants and loans came with restrictions. The vision ten years ago for the park was a high-tech business property.
“The federal government has somewhat relaxed those as we’ve gone along. That’s part of the problem. Ten years ago, when the restrictions were first placed on it, they were pretty strict. I think they’ve recognized times have changed,” Bell said.
Across the river in South Point, Ohio on Tuesday, an announcement was made about the construction of a new 50-thousand-square-foot spec building- the goal, to lure new business.
“We get inquiries almost weekly, opportunities to move to the Tri-state and having a building is priority. They want a building ready to move into,” said Dr. Bill Dingus with the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation.
Back atop Kinetic Park, a decade after the project started, just one office building stands on the upper level.
Dr. Susan Touma runs her Dermatology practice in that building- there is also an accounting firm in the building.
“We had phone lines put in and a lot of different other things that weren’t yet in place. So, I think the next people that come here will not have to go through some of the initial changes that needed to take place,” said Dr. Touma.
By changes she means infrastructure. Some of that infrastructure work is already underway. Tuesday contractors were out laying cable for TV and high speed internet access.
“Everyone wants internet. A lot of people depend on internet now a days and that’s what they’re trying to get up here so we can come into the 21st century so to speak,” said Bill Melvin with M&D Contractors.
Dr. Touma says she would like to see an extension of Marshall University set up at Kinetic Park.
Mr. Bell says Marshall has not directly shown any interest in moving into Kinetic Park but says, “I think Dr. Kopp has seen the opportunities and that’s what we want to talk about.”
Now a committee is being formed and a round table discussion with Marshall’s President, Dr. Kopp is in the works.
The municipal authority could also decide to turn the land over to a marketing firm or outside promoter, to try and turn the empty land into a new vision.
Latest Comments
even though it has taken a while for Kinetic park to get under way, I think that it will be a great place for a lot of promising and up and coming new businesses that may bring alot of jobs back into the area that we greatly need.
I wish someone would build me a bridge like they did for Bob Evans! I just need a small one across my creek so I can get to town and the doctor's office. The rains we have had are about to wash me out.
I am pleased that High speed Internet is being installed at Kinetic Park even if it is ten years too late. The major scandal is that int was not installed before and the city was trying to market that property to the tech sector when high speed internet was not available there. A lot of promotional money has been wasted trying to sell something that was not merchantable for its stated purposes.
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