Chip Pickering, left, CEO of Pickering and Associates, looks over an artist’s rendering of the Heron’s Nest condominium project with Mark Mondo, developer. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

Mark Mondo, owner of the complex, said the development called Heron’s Nest covers almost 100 acres of land between the highway and the Ohio River.

“It will have an inner harbor marina with slips for 80 boats,” he said. “We are also planning for 48 condos to be built on the river bank, each with three or two bedrooms.”

Closer to the highway, Mondo said, will be a commercial park, almost directly across W.Va. 14 from Henderson Wilds.

Mondo said several lots have been sold. He said a local developer made the purchase and he expects ground to be broken in two to three months.

Mark Mondo, developer of Heron’s Nest, introduces the project during the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley’s Business After Hours event. (Photo by Jeffrey Saulton)

Mondo said work on the project began about seven years ago.

“This is a great location because it is just south of Williamstown,” he said. “We are going to be annexed as a part of Williamstown.”

With almost a half-mile along the river there is room for more condos at a later time.

Mondo said the harbor portion of the development is completed, the product of seven years of dredging the creek. The bridge connecting the northwest section with the southwest section is also complete. He said Heron’s Nest will include walking, hiking and biking trails.

Mondo said Heron’s Nest is named for the five pairs of nesting blue heron in the sycamores on the property.

The Heron's Nest Development.

“They nest up at the very top,” he said.

Mondo said the location between Williamstown and Vienna makes it the place to locate, relocate or expand a business.

“Our first of four condo buildings will begin in late summer and should be complete by spring of 2018,” he said. “When the second building will begin will depend on how many of the first building are sold.”

Mondo said commercial lots are available along the highway and construction can start almost immediately after a plot is sold.

Mondo said he has enjoyed boating from a young age and that motivated him to create a community like Heron’s Nest.

“I’ve always been around boats. I have sailed all my life,” he said. “I always liked being around marinas and wanted to have my own. When I was able to acquire this property I knew I could build a marina here.”

Mondo said the permitting process for a project like Heron’s Nest takes a long time and that is why it has taken so long.

“We’ve had a lot of support from the City of Williamstown, Mayor Jean Ford and the city council,” he said.

Mondo said Ford is excited about the project.

“We want to be annexed,” he said. “The reason is we want to be a good neighbor and help the City of Williamstown. Most don’t want to be annexed but we did to help the school system. That tax base will help the school system.”

Excitement has been building in Williamstown for some time, said Mayor Ford.

“It’s going to be tremendous for Williamstown, and the annexation should be coming in the next two weeks,” she said. “He came to us a long time ago and really wanted to know what we had to offer.”

Ford said Mondo told her and the council he was looking for a place for what he wanted to do and he looked everywhere.

“He asked if we could supply water and sewer and it came down to yes, yes and yes,” she said.

Ford said they are looking forward to the project growing.

“He’s as excited as we are,” she said. “We couldn’t go any further in any way except to the south, we have no room to grow.”

In the next two weeks Ford said the city will annex Henderson Wilds, to annex Heron’s Nest.

“Their lines (Henderson Wilds) line up and meet ours,” she said. “So we will annex that and then go across the road and annex Heron’s Nest.”

Marietta Mayor Joe Matthews said while Heron’s Nest will be in West Virginia it will help Marietta and Washington County.

“I support the entire Mid-Ohio Valley which I always have,” he said. “I say first of all if we can have it in Marietta, secondly if we can have it in Washington County, but then the Mid-Ohio Valley which is fantastic.”

Matthews said Marietta will benefit.

“When they want to spend money they’ll come to Marietta and we’re looking forward to that,” he said. “They might go to Vienna, but they might come to Marietta since it’s closer.”

Jill Parsons, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, said the development will open a lot of opportunities.

“There are a lot of opportunities for existing businesses to expand,” she said. “New housing is always exciting and to have something that utilizes the river views is nice.”

David McClure, president and CEO of Camden Clark Medical Center and chairman of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley, said the Heron’s Nest project is a boost to the valley.

“We know Mark and his team have been working on this for many years and now it is starting to come to fruition,” he said. “The designs here tonight are beautiful designs.”

Mark Lewis, president and CEO of the Greater Parkersburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the project is a great thing for the area.

“This is mainly a residential thing but anything that brings a positive to the area is welcome,” he said.