Jul 11, 2002 By Steve Ostrosky 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – A new deck could soon be added to the Greene County Airport building and could enhance business at the airport restaurant, the county commissioners said Wednesday. During their agenda meeting, the commissioners voted to place a motion on today’s meeting agenda to authorize Landmark Engineering Services to prepare plans and submit drawings to the state Department of Labor and Industry for the new deck. Commission Chairman Dave Coder said the new deck will be larger than the existing one and will allow more people to eat at the restaurant at one time.

“We think it would be a nice way to draw more people out there,” he said.

Ann Bargerstock, county director of planning and development, said the deck will enhance the restaurant’s customer base during days when weather is suitable for dining outdoors. The deck in place now is very narrow and not acceptable by occupancy standards, she said.

Commissioner Farley Toothman said that an upgrade of the deck is part of the county’s effort to address some inadequacy issues at the airport building, including sewer line problems in the basement. In addition to the restaurant, the building houses the county’s 911 center and a district justice’s office.

“It’s not set up to do all that we’re trying to do very well,” he said. “This is the first step with the restaurant, but the building needs additional changes.”

The commissioners also discussed granting extensions to Widmer Engineering on plans for a number of county bridges slated for replacement over the next three years. Chief clerk Gene Lee said several bridges were placed on the State Transportation Committee’s 12-year plan, but priorities were placed on which bridges would be completed first.

He said the time extensions will push back plans for six bridges until next June, and plans for another two bridges will be delayed until the end of 2003. He said the delays will not affect construction, because the bridge repairs are not funded until 2003, 2004 and 2005.

“These are pretty bold projects, all of them,” Lee said. “In 2006, we will have replaced 20 of the 80 or so bridges in the county, and then the cycle will start all over again.”

The commissioners placed on today’s agenda a resolution to authorize the Greene County Industrial Development Authority to apply for $27,347 in Local Economic Development Assistance funds, on behalf of Greene County.

IDA Executive Director Don Chappel said most of that money is used to help pay salaries, cover office and travel expenses and pay for fees associated with training events or conferences. Greene County receives one of the smallest amounts out of all 67 counties, he said, because the funds are based on population.