Highlawn Revitalization
H-Biz
The Huntington Brownfields Innovation Zone (H-Biz) Plan is one of the components of the Huntington Innovation Project or HIP Plan which won the $3 million grand prize in the America’s Best Communities national competition. The winnings were awarded to the Foundation for the Tri-State Community as steward of the funds which are designated only for the HIP Plan projects. The ABC funds will be used to leverage other dollars to carry out this and the other HIP projects. To date, over $26,000,000 additional dollars have been leveraged for this project.
The H-Biz Plan is designed to acquire, remediate and redevelop over 50 acres of former industrial brownfields land between 5th Avenue and the Ohio River near 23rd Street. The redevelopment will be led by Huntington Municipal Development Authority (HMDA) and in partnership with Marshall University State of West Virginia, Huntington Area Development council (HADCO), Region 2 Planning and Development and private business. It will include research, advanced manufacturing facilities, athletic facilities and other amenities in a campus-like setting.
Key initiatives involve the following:
- Acquisition and clean-up of the ACF and Flint properties with adjacent properties being redeveloped privately. Applying for additional EPA grant funds
- New job creation and job retention for expanding businesses
- A redevelopment of the property to include a baseball stadium, academic facilities, faculty housing, research and advanced manufacturing facilities working symbiotically with Marshall University all in a walkable park/campus setting with connections to the Paul Ambrose Trail for Health (PATH)
- Re-designing streets within the development to create the most seamless movement possible while meshing with Marshall University and the Highlawn neighborhood.
- The development of streetscaping and traffic calming for 3rd Avenue and redeveloped street grids
Most Recent Progress
ACF Industries property
Huntington was awarded $600,000 dollars in EPA grants to do Phase I assessments on the property and to create an area-wide plan for redevelopment. The plan has been completed and assessments finalized. Huntington Municipal Development Authority (HMDA) has acquired the property and is now engaged in the environmental testing and remediation of the property including removing equipment and some structures. EPA has granted another $350,000 in assessment funds in 2020 along with $700,000 of loan/grant funds designated for clean-up.
Results of environmental testing have been better than expected with the five-acre parking lot on the south side of 3rd Avenue found to be environmentally clean. A contract for sale of this property is pending.
- Additional updates include:
- Former BASF/Flint property has been sold to a private individual
- Working on qualifications for state historic preservation tax credits
- Entering into West Virginia volunteer remediation program
- Marshall University is working with the city and WV Department of Highways on connectivity issues related to the closure of 24th Street and has hired AECom to design a new connector.
- In the process of finalizing the Request for Proposal for demolition
- HMDA received a $350,000 EPA grant and a combined $400,000 EPA grant and $350,000 loan
- The City of Huntington received a $250,000 complete street planning grant for Third Avenue from 22nd to 24th streets
- EPA awarded technical assistance from Vita Nuova on developer attraction and leveraging financial packages
HMDA purchases old ACF Industries complex for $3.12 million
The ACF Industrial demo has started and is expected to be completed on or around March of 2022
Marshall University Baseball Stadium – Flint Property
HMDA and Marshall, with support from the ABC Fund of the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, and other financing, completed the acquisition of eight acres of the Flint site where Marshall University will build the baseball stadium. The goal of the MU baseball facility is to provide a home for Marshall Baseball, to enhance the player and fan experience and to meet the NCAA requirements for hosting regional and super-regional events. Plans include 3,500 seats including 500 club seats, locker rooms and a lounge in the team clubhouse, Coaches’ offices with a lounge, team merchandise store and concession stands. Environmental testing and remediation has begun. Construction drawings are complete and value engineering has begun.
Marshall University is working with the City of Huntington and WV Department of Highways on connectivity plans related to the closure of 24th Street. Marshall University signed an agreement to relocate gas and water utilities.
Marshall announces land purchase for baseball stadium
Other Developments
The remaining Flint property on the south side of 5th Avenue has been purchased by a private entity for redevelopment.
The ACF Industries property was formerly a rail car manufacturing and repair complex first launched in 1872 with financing from Collis P. Huntington, which was acquired by HMDA in January 2020 from Icahn Enterprises. Its 42 acres includes 5 acres south of 3rd Avenue (“ACF Parking”) and 37 acres north of 3rd Avenue up to the Ohio River (“ACF Factory”). The site was purchased with support from the state, through a WV EDA direct loan provided in 2019.
Happy Healthy Highlawn
Happy Healthy Highlawn is one of the components of the Huntington Innovation Project or HIP Plan which won the $3 million grand prize in the America’s Best Communities national competition. The winnings were awarded to the Foundation for the Tri-State Community as steward of the funds which are designated only for the HIP Plan projects. The ABC funds will be used to leverage other dollars to carry out this and the other HIP projects. To date, over $82,000 additional dollars have been leveraged for this project.
The Highlawn Alliance was formed to serve as a catalyst for recreating and remarketing the Highlawn neighborhood as Happy Healthy Highlawn by leveraging community resources to help revitalize this distressed neighborhood.
Key Initiatives involve the following:
- Formation of the Highlawn Alliance
- Employ an individual to lead the initiative
- Develop safe routes to schools, bike paths and walkability
- Make fresh fruits and vegetables available for the neighborhood working with The Wild Ramp
- Prayer walks in the neighborhood
- Working in partnership with the City to enhance infrastructure including green stormwater management, pedestrian level lighting, etc.
- Improve education and job training
- Encourage initiatives and activities that lead to economic development
- Celebrate the history of Highlawn through beautification, art, and culture
- Empowering the neighborhood to help navigate and determine the future of their community
- Create a culture of trust and interdependence between residents, businesses, civic entities, non-profits, schools, hospital system, faith communities, and government entities.
- Work with local marketing agency on rebranding plan for the Highlawn community
- The ABC HIP Plan Taskforce welcomes Zane Parsley!
Most Recent Progress
- Plans in place for a strategic planning session for the Highlawn Alliance
- Raised $50,000 and constructed a house for Habitat for Humanity
- Confirmed $30,000 from Park District to construct roof over McClelland park Picnic Shelter
- Progress on raising funds for the new school playground for Highlawn Elementary
- Reviewing Marshall University’s bike plan and working on integrating it into the Highlawn neighborhood
- Hosted Highlawn Thanksgiving worship service with over 200 in attendance and $1,000 raised for backpack ministry at Highlawn Elementary
- Launched the Highlawn Garden Club
- Identified location by the new school for an asphalt art project if grant funding becomes available.
- The Wild Ramp operating in summer months with a food truck in parking lots of neighborhood churches with volunteers
- Mobilized community around art through “street art” in the rise of COVID-19
- Provided a “Walking Holy Week” to promote spiritual and physical health during COVID-19
- Developing a plan for drive in movies to promote community building during social isolation
Board members and Officers have been selected:
- Linda Blough, Secretary/Treasurer
- Cathy Burns, ex officio
- Rory Chapman
- Pastor Charles Cross
- Pastor Trent Eastman
- Christy Faucette
- Melanie Hall
- Robin Harmon
- Pastor Donna Hinkle
- Shelly Kenney
- Pastor Trevor Lanz
- Lisa McComas
- Pastor Doug Pendleton
- Pastor Marc Price, President
- Ryan Saxe , ex officio
- Lisa Riley, ex officio
- Sara Payne Scarboro
- David Sheils, Vice President
- Jana Stoner, ex officio
- Search committee has formed for executive director. The job description is being drafted and plans for advertising and interviewing are in place.
- Project Shine, a home rehabilitation program targeting 100 homes, kicked off and is reviewing applications.
- McClelland Park Shelter upgrades have been approved in the Park Board budget.
MOST RECENT PROGRESS
Happy Healthy Highlawn
The process is underway to create a WV nonprofit with 501c3 status to be called Highlawn Community Alliance, Inc. The Alliance has adopted a vision, mission statement and core values and an initial strategic plan. Board members have been selected and a search committee formed which will begin the process of seeking an executive director.
- Winter construction on the Highlawn Avenue Garden has begun
- The Huntington Foundation donates $15k for Highlawn Connectivity Project
- Thanks to Mike’s Handyman Service for donating $2,500 worth of labor to aid in garden project
- Highlawn receives Pallottine Grant for $14,500
- Winter construction on Highlawn Garden is currently underway
- ACF property demolition is nearing completion
- The CIty of Huntington is working to improve streetscape along 3rd Avenue
- Highlawn launches First Nazarene Community Garden
- Highlawn works to improve pedestrian walkability along 5th Avenue
- PATH extension along Highlawn Riverfront begins preliminary planning
- “Pollinator Gardens” to be built by Marshall University Student-led initiative
- Brownfields project: Highlawn residents have big dreams
- Project Shine will support housing programs that involve rehab, enhancement and demolition
- McClelland Park to get new playground equipment and shelter in spring of 2022
- Job has been posted for the executive director position of the Highlawn Community Alliance.
- Project Shine has involved 250 volunteer workers with 25 houses in need of facade improvements.
- The Park Board received CDBG funding for the roof and electric at the shelter at McClelland Park.
- Park Board received a grant award to purchase new playground equipment at McClelland Park.
H-Biz
HMDA is working with a demolition company to plan for demolition of unusable structures, and potentially the entire complex, depending on market potential and tax credit feasibility for rehabilitation of three to four potentially usable buildings.
HMDA has secured a $400,000 grant + $300,000 loan (0% for 5 years) from the City of Huntington capitalized by an $800,000 EPA Brownfield Cleanup Revolving Loan Fund the city secured in 2018, which will be used on environmental cleanup and asbestos abatement.
KYOVA/WV DOT have dedicated $250,000 in transportation grant funding for design and engineering of a complete street upgrade to both sides of 3rd Avenue between 22nd-24th Streets (i.e. ACF area). Would be used to design entry/access points into both ACF parcels, sidewalks, streetscapes, lighting, landscaping, signage, stormwater management, and other improvements. Potential for KYOVA to fund 80% of construction costs in future grant.
Huntington will seek WV IAC funding to upgrade 24th Street along the Stadium & ACF area to ensure truck freight passage to existing and future industries, and potentially to match KYOVA funding for the road upgrades described in #3.
HMDA is now applying for $300,000 grant to U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) for funding for a comprehensive set of plans, designs, engineering, and cost estimation to upgrade the Administrative Building and the Machine Shop, and the surrounding site (parking, stormwater, access, etc.) for reuse by technology-focused businesses.
- Governor Jim Justice announces contribution of $13.8 million for new Marshall Baseball Stadium
- Water Quality Board working to address stormwater separation issues
- HMDA awarded $8.2 million grant from EDA Build Back Better plan
- Marshall University is now one step closer to a new baseball stadium
- Huntington receives “Build Back Better” grant.
- The City of Huntington collecting memories of ACF Properties
- ACF demolition is expected to be completed in early summer, 2022
- Press conference held in Nov. 2021 to recognize former ACF employees and announce the partnership with Marshall University Library Archival Division to save artifacts from the plant.
- City moving forward with Highlawn Brownfield development
- Huntington Brownfields Innovation Zone
- Huntington receives $800,000 grant to clean up brownfields
a. ACF Parking Lot has been determined to be free of contamination and ready for redevelopment. HMDA is entertaining an option agreement for potential mixed-use retail/residential that would be compatible with baseball/football/basketball/softball sports uses.
b. Initial environmental assessment of the ACF Factory area shows promising results, with very little contamination that would interfere with development. HMDA is preparing to deploy additional EPA Assessment funding in October 2020 to complete environmental investigations, and has entered the site into the WV DEP Voluntary Remediation Program.
c. HMDA has commenced coordination with the WV SHPO regarding potential reuse and rehabilitation of three to four buildings utilizing state/federal Historic Tax Credits, and demolition of non-functional/non-useable structures.
The award money, as well as any funds donated from individuals/businesses/organizations, is given to the Foundation for the Tri-State Community, our region’s community foundation that controls the allocation of the funds to the projects as required by competition parameters.
Donations may also be made by check. Please make payable to The Foundation for the Tri-State Community, Inc. and mail to:
Foundation for the Tri-State Community, Inc.
916 5th Avenue, Suite 403
P.O. Box 7932
Huntington, WV 25779-7932
Please put "ABC Fund" as well as the specific project name in the memo line.