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Vienna City Council votes to table Spencer’s Landing project proposal

By Clara Noelle 4 min read

VIENNA -- Vienna City Council tabled the vote on the Thrasher group's proposal for the Spencer's Landing project for their next meeting on July 11 during Thursday night's meeting after serious public backlash.

Thursday night's meeting started with the public forum where the public was given the opportunity to address issues with the council. Eleven community members signed up, 10 of which spoke about the proposed Spencer's Landing project.

Terry Hickle, a Vienna resident, stated that he appreciates what the city has done to encourage fitness, but he is offended that the city is using taxpayer money to build a space at Spencer's Landing and making it pay to use.

Tony Morrison, a council candidate, also spoke out against the proposed plan. Morrison stated that he has worked with the development group before, the Thrasher group, and said they are a "top notch company." He stated the proposal will illustrate a community vision.

"I haven't seen the community vision," said Morrison. "I'm excited about this but let's cool our jets."

Morrison encouraged the council to vote down the proposal.

Tami Rhodes,another council candidate, also spoke out against the proposal, going as far as to question the legality of council withholding such information without getting public input.

Chad Emrick, Vienna mayoral candidate, said during his time in public forum that the community was disappointed and tired, Emrick also said he spoke for Vienna residents by saying they do not want the "mega amphitheater" that was proposed by Thrasher.

Councilman Jim Leach also spoke during public forum. Leach spoke in favor of the plan, explained the council's side of the proposal and tried to disway public unrest.

Sam Rich of the Thrasher group spoke up in favor of the company during their presentation.

"We don't want to be the bad guys," he said.

Rich said the city's relationship should have been more cooperative with the public, especially with this project. He explained that a big part of the company's job, as most of their projects are government funded projects, is to work with the public and best gauge what they want.

Rich's colleague Craig Baker suggested they start from ground zero. Baker suggested they come back with a new plan, a plan that the public is happier with.

"Nothing has been decided," said Baker.

Before discussion with the Thrasher group could begin, there was a vote to table the proposal until the next meeting. Councilwoman Kim Williams said she would like to talk to the Thrasher group before moving forward with a vote.

Mayor Randy Rapp said tabling the vote then would stop any further discussion of the matter.

"There are things in government that you just can't talk about," said Rapp.

The movement failed with a 3-3 tie. City Recorder Melissa Elam, Williams and Councilman Chris Mancuso voted no, while Rapp, Councilman Tom Azinger and Leach voted yes.

After the vote, Elam said she would also like to ask the Thrasher group a few questions before taking a vote. Elam also stated that she felt the council could move forward.

After a lengthy discussion with the Thrasher group, the council and the group decided that the Thrasher group would draw up a new plan for the project and present it for a vote at the next meeting. That motion passed unanimously.

West Virginia University at Parkersburg President Torie Jackson gave an update to their plans on the old Ohio Valley University property at the meeting. She said they are planning on making the property into an Innovation Tech Center. They hope to have a portion of the campus up and running by 2025, and their goal is to get 300 students in the first three years of its opening. Jackson also noted they plan on having a local daycare center relocate to the campus. Jackson explained this daycare needed to relocate and the new location at the former OVU campus would double their space. Jackson also said they plan on bringing in local businesses that the students can work with while they get their education.

Council also got an update on the Freedom Festival. It was noted that they planned on having rock climbing, aerial acrobats, craft and food vendors, car and motorcycle shows, aerial drone show and fireworks at the mall location. They also noted there would be a rodeo, carnival and hot air balloons at Spencer's Landing.

Clara Noelle can be reached at intern@newsandsentinel.com.

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