PARKERSBURG - Seeing is believing. And members of the Wood County Commission want to see the Summersville National Guard Arena and Conference Center before they commit to a similar project here.
Commissioners Rick Modesitt and Wayne Dunn said the proposed armory project is a good idea, but they want to see what they are getting into.
"We don't know what Summersville is or what it looks like," Modesitt said. "And that would be helpful."
Keith Burdette, president of the Wood County Economic Development Authority, and Parkersburg Mayor Bob Newell attended Monday's Wood County Commission meeting to update commissioners on the Fort Boreman armory project.
Newell outlined a preliminary plan for local government participation in the project. He told commissioners they would pursue a model similar to the formula used by Summersville and its National Guard facility.
Newell asked commissioners if they wished to participate in the planning and development of the project.
"It would be nice to know what other (similar) facilities bring in," Dunn said.
While Burdette outlined a development plan for the Fort Boreman site, Newell stressed government was interested only in financing its portion for the armory. He explained local government would pay for "amenities" to the proposed armory, such as seating and conference space.
"Our only obligation is the small portion of the armory. We are not developers."
Last week, Newell sent commissioners a letter asking for $2 million. Monday, Newell said the figure was just an estimate. He said that figure couldn't be calculated yet - not until the Guard had secured a site and started design and planning work on the facility.
Newell proposed creating a nine-member committee to decide what amenities local officials want in the facility.
The committee would consist of three appointees by the commission, three by the city and three from the Wood County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Modesitt said the commission didn't have $2 million - or even a million dollars -laying around.
"That's not to say we can't find the funds," he said.
But commissioners want better, firsthand information.
"If we are going to participate - and the current commission is supportive of the project -we need to be part of the information highway," Modesitt said.
Newell repeatedly maintained commissioners had been made aware of the project at each phase. He noted commissioners attended a July 2008 meeting with U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va.. Newell also noted Commissioner Blair Couch was a member of the economic development board and received updates by Burdette at monthly meetings.
"The county commission has always been part of the discussion," he said.
But commissioners countered.
"We have never seen it," Modesitt said.
Burdette said he would be happy to arrange a tour of the facility for the commission.
The commission and Burdette will work on a time to schedule a tour of the site.
In addition to a site visit and the formation of a committee, Modesitt also asked for some discussion with local developers.
