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November 29, 2007

‘Coaltown’ theme pitched for BIG project

Committee wants input from public before making final decision

By Amelia A. Pridemore

A $24 million downtown Beckley revitalization project could resemble an early 20th century coal camp community, but the project’s steering committee has decided to further study it — not giving the idea a green light just yet.

Dan Bickey, president of Mine Power Systems and chairman of the Beckley Intermodal Gateway steering committee, pitched the Coaltown theme to fellow committee members Thursday night.

Coaltown, Bickey said, would include a streetscape and resemble a 1925-1930 coal town.

“What are people coming to? Outdoor museums,” he said. “When you think about the whole state of West Virginia, it’s about coal.

“People like nostalgia. They like ‘old.’”

The project could be a “double-barrel” attraction to Beckley, now that the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine is undergoing a $3.5 million renovation project, Bickey said. Already, the mine attracts 50,000 visitors per year.

“Coal will be around for several more generations, and I don’t think that will change,” he said. “Even if this is here beyond our lifetimes, this is history.”

Bickey noted buildings at the site could be built to resemble old Beckley landmarks that have been destroyed, further giving the location a feeling of nostalgia. Private businesses could then locate inside them. However, renters would have to abide by covenants — rules stating they cannot deviate from the outside’s retro appearance when setting up their businesses inside.

Conceptual drawings Bickey presented included an ice skating rink and an observation tower on which visitors could ride in a cable car or elevator to a yet-to-be determined height and sightsee.

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While committee members were receptive to the idea, they decided it would be best to further examine Coaltown rather than give it an immediate green light.

Before Bickey could call for a vote to pursue the idea with project engineers and city leaders, Paul Hutchinson, a retired attorney and committee member, said it would be “unfair and perhaps presumptuous” to proceed without further considering the plan — and without input from fellow citizens. Other members and Bickey unanimously agreed.

Some committee members had their concerns about the Coaltown plan.

“I’m not against coal, but when people come to West Virginia, they’re coming for whitewater rafting, train rides — all things natural,” said Tom Sopher, owner of Best Fabric and Foam. “That’s what West Virginia has to sell.”

The exhibition mine may draw 50,000 visitors a year, but Tamarack draws 200,000, Dr. Julian Chipley said. Rick Cornett, chief financial officer for Jan-Care Ambulance, estimated the exhibition mine also brings in only 100 visitors per day, given Bickey’s per year estimate. Bickey noted the mine is not open all year.

However, Dr. C. Richard Daniel, committee member and owner of Daniel Vineyards, recalled his childhood in Raleigh County coal camps and how downtown Beckley was bustling with shoe-shine shops, upscale clothing stores, theaters and activities for young people. He also believes the coal industry is an integral part of Beckley’s history.

“They were thriving businesses. They really were,” he said. “(Downtown Beckley) was not empty like it is now.

“This is the good stuff I grew up with. We’re not about whitewater rafting. That’s Fayetteville. We’re Beckley, and all around Beckley were coal camps. We want what we are.”

— E-mail: apridemore@register-herald.com

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