Amanda Stevens, Executive Director of Downtown PKB, appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to give county officials an update on what the group is doing. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — Downtown PKB is looking at ways to bring development and new business to downtown Parkersburg.

Amanda Stevens, Executive Director of Downtown PKB, appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to give county officials an update on what the group has been doing over the last year.

Downtown PKB continues to focus on economic development, events/promotions, historical preservation and downtown design as part of the work it is doing locally.

Stevens highlighted the “record attendance” for this past weekend’s Winterfest and the Parkersburg Christmas Parade due to good weather and warm temperatures. She also talked about the recent designation of the new Downtown Parkersburg Historic District which was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This was Parkersburg’s fourth historic district.

“I have been proactive in getting information out to the community that there is no downside to this,” she said. “Opportunity-wise this is only positive because, if you want to, you can apply for historic tax credits and apply directly for historic preservation grants.”

Officials talked about how they would like to see more things happening at the Smoot Theater to make it comparable with the activity seen at the Peoples Bank Theater in Marietta.

Stevens said their board has discussed it, is looking for ways to highlight the theater and spur investment there, but said the theater has its own board who will have to consider events and shows they want to put on.

“It is a tough situation,” Stevens said. “(The Smoot) does need to be used more.

“I believe that is something their board of directors will have to make a move on.”

Commissioner Bob Tebay said the Actors Guild of Parkersburg continually brings people downtown and he would like to see the Smoot be utilized more as a destination to bring people downtown.

“Let’s open up the Smoot and get it done,” he said.

One of the current focuses for Downtown PKB is economic development, Stevens said.

“We have a very rich arts and culture district downtown and we felt it was time to focus on something else,” she said. “I chose economic development in downtown.”

Downtown PKB is applying for and received a $75,000 grant to help restore a blighted property in downtown Parkersburg, a building at 820 Market St. near the new Children’s Museum. The money will be used for architectural drawings and more.

“I do believe in the next six months that building will be developed,” Stevens said.

Commission President Blair Coach said the Children’s Museum will be moving in and doing work on the former seniors center next door on the other side.

Wood County Society will also be expanding on Eighth Street in downtown. Stevens said there are people interested in locating businesses or apartment developments in downtown.

Officials talked about the Dils Center. Stevens said the new owner has been looking at doing roof work and other work, but he is currently stuck in Israel as the Israeli-Hamas war continues. There are people interested in putting something there but they did not want to deal with ownership of the building and having to facilitate repairs, she added.

Officials talked about the Sumner School Building on Avery Street and efforts to do something with it. The building remains in the hands of a few people who don’t always have time to devote to maintaining it and developing it into something.

“It is an important building, but it doesn’t really have any caretakers,” Commissioner Jimmy Colombo said.

Commissioners discussed past plans that were considered including a park with a monument.

Officials said the school has three board members and they have a need for more voting members to be able to bring in new ideas on what can be done and make decisions.

“That is a location full of history,” Couch said of the school’s status as the first free Black school in the nation below the Mason Dixon Line.

Stevens talked about there are still a number of restaurants and retail in the downtown area that are bringing people downtown. Some were impacted by the COVID pandemic and a shift from some organizations to work remotely.

She is part of Main Street organizations and associations.

“I feel really good about Parkersburg, especially compared to some other places,” Stevens said. “Our downtown is thriving.

“We have our issues, but everyone does.”

Officials commended Stevens with her interactions with the community in promoting events, downtown development and more.

“It is a challenge, but it is one that I am up to,” she said.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com