(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

A 100+ year old building cannot meet the needs of today. A dilapidated pavilion attracts homelessness and drug use. Likewise, a new pavilion is not an economic development vehicle to bolster existing businesses and should not be downtown or in a new location. It is a lifestyle improvement vehicle. It will enhance the use of the park and bring new vitality to it. Imagine trying to cook in a 100-year-old kitchen. Same for the 100-year-old pavilion.

Facts vs. emotions:

* This has been in process for seven years. There have been public meetings … I have attended some … and there has been substantial input from all interested parties. The design has been revamped resulting from these inputs.

* The opposition says they like the pavilion, just not there. If not there, then where? They ignore the fact that every alternative location has been studied and found unacceptable in almost every respect AND would be excessively costly to the citizens and less effective as a pavilion.

* The opposition claims parking issues that are blown out of proportion. The park already has events that flow parking into the neighborhoods and that will be the same. The pavilion is not designed for massive concerts. The pavilion is designed for smaller events, to support the events we already have and to give recreational opportunities we don’t currently have. PLUS, the design adds 30 additional parking spaces.

* The opposition cries for the reduction in green space. There is no reduction in green space.

* The city, with the state Historic Preservation Office, assures the project will not negatively impact the historic buildings that are in the park.

The pavilion, as is, is practically useless. The new pavilion will be another gem for Parkersburg. Don’t let Parkersburg stagnate; keep the progress going. Future generations will thank you! As we thank the city fathers who purchased the existing park, remember they were almost run out of town for purchasing land so far out from the city at that time.

I have been collecting our region’s history for most of my life. I am the president of the Oil, Gas and Industrial Historical Association (owners of Henderson Hall and the Cook House.)

I am especially pleased with the financing, issuing bonds and retiring them with income from existing funds. When completed, the original funds will be available again, for another fantastic city project. All at no cost to the taxpayers!

Paul C. Hoblitzell III

Elizabeth