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Petitions circulating to ask voters about Parkersburg community building site

By Evan Bevins 4 min read

PARKERSBURG -- Petitions are being circulated to put the question of whether to build a proposed $13 million activity and recreation center in City Park on the November ballot.

"We're getting signatures," said Sherry Dugan, who is also expected to appear on that ballot as the presumptive Democratic nominee for mayor. "Give the people a choice as to where they want it to go. ... We're not saying we don't want a community center; we just don't like the location."

City Park, specifically the site of the nearly 100-year-old pavilion, has been the proposed location for the project since renderings were unveiled by Pickering Associates in March 2023. Some residents continue to object to placing the building there, saying it could negatively impact the character of the park and cause problems with traffic and parking.

A feasibility study by Pickering identified the park as the best of five sites considered, and there is support from the mayor and some members of Parkersburg City Council. However, Councilman Chris Rexroad said during a recent budget hearing he was opposed because of feedback from his constituents and Councilman J.R. Carpenter said Monday he's in favor of the petition effort.

"I have been in favor of putting money (toward) this facility. The only question is location," Carpenter said. "Personally, the City Park is owned by the people, tax money going into this facility, and I think the people should determine if it goes in the park or not."

Councilman Zach Stanley said the park is the most logical choice.

"To me, it's very simple. It's a pavilion replacement. ... for the 21st century," he said. "For us to put it in another location to me doesn't make sense."

Mayor Tom Joyce, the only Republican running for mayor, said he felt elected officials should do their jobs and make the decision, not "slough it off" on the voters.

"This is not something I think should be a ballot initiative," he said, adding there's a referendum on his and council's job performance every four years.

A copy of the petition provided by Felice Jorgeson, who lives near City Park, says the park "is not an acceptable location and should be determined by the citizens. ... Therefore, it is requested the issue be placed on the November ballot for consideration."

"We want to put it out there for people, for the citizens to say, yeah we like that idea or no, we don't like the idea," Jorgeson said. "I personally think it's a great idea, but not in City Park. ... I know what goes on. I see the cars that don't have a place to park in the City Park now."

City Attorney Blaine Myers said that since no ordinance has been passed designating the location of the facility, the petition would likely take the form of a ballot initiative, asking council to approve legislation saying it would not be in the park. If council did not, the question would be placed before voters.

To be placed on the ballot, the measure would require the signatures of 15% of the city's registered voters, according to a representative of the Wood County Clerk's office. That target number would be 3,836.

Dugan said organizers are shooting for 4,000 "just in case something gets kicked out."

The deadline for such an initiative to be placed on the Nov. 5 ballot is Aug. 1, according to the clerk's office. The petitions would have to be turned in earlier to the city, so that action could be taken to officially submit it.

Dugan said she has copies of the petition available at her restaurant, Das Rookhaus, and people wanting to acquire them can also call her at 304-482-4866.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com

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