Residents meet to hear, see presentation of ways to improve Point Marion
POINT MARION – Twenty-four interested citizens met Tuesday at the Point Marion United Methodist Church to hear and see a presentation of first impressions and suggestions to improve the town. Alison Hanham from the West Virginia University (WVU) Extension Service presented information, photos and opinions gathered by five anonymous visitors who had never been to Point Marion prior to this first visit.
Each visitor came equipped with a disposable camera and an agenda to help provide feedback to Hanham in a consistent version so she could compile the report.
Specific well-received suggestions were:
– Work to create a unique “identity” for the town – a sense of place that is special just to our community. This perceived unique characteristic could help revitalize the town economically by creating an attractive, memorable destination for tourists, could increase traffic and hence strengthen the business base, as well as attract potential new businesses.
– Restore older brick buildings downtown, which are not only a part of the history of the town but have interesting architectural details. This will help rejuvenate the downtown and improve the overall appearance.
– Capitalize more on the cultural and historical heritage of the area as a strategy for economic development.
– Decorate street level vacant storefronts (until they are occupied) with interesting displays, to decrease the feel of “emptiness” that now pervades some sections of the business district.
– Provide additional streetscape enhancements, like planters, benches and more.
– Improve the parking lots and identify walkways between the parking lots and businesses. Improve sidewalks and provide crosswalks to make the area safer for pedestrians.
– Improve signage directing traffic to cultural and recreational areas in town and to areas near town. Encourage business owners to evaluate and update their signs. Develop a unified theme that could be used for signs throughout downtown to make it more cohesive and attractive-both for directional signs and as a recommendation to businesses in town.
– Consider developing several promotional brochures for the community based on its history, fairs and festivals and other special events and have these materials readily available at local businesses.
– Develop the rail trail as a central feature and focal point downtown.
– Build on the river theme.
Diane Watson of the Point Marion Area Planning Committee said the suggestions are doable, but it is a matter of time, money and commitment. Meanwhile, some things are already in the works. For example, groups are working on the Rail Trail and improving the Point Marion Park.
The planning committee will be meeting soon to plan follow-up meetings to inform the public about the presentation. Action planning sessions will be scheduled to prioritize projects, goals, timeline, action teams and responsibilities.
Point Marion Borough Councilman and planning committee member Joe Murphy will inform the borough council of the presentation. The full presentation will be presented to any groups who are interested, Watson said.
First Impressions program objectives are to provide a fresh, unbiased perspective of a community’s strengths and weaknesses, raise local awareness and provide impetus for community action.
The PowerPoint presentation included the immediate first impression that each visitor experienced – both positive and negative. Town entrances, downtown business district, industrial areas, residential areas, educational facilities, recreation and tourism assets and public and civic infrastructure were all examined and evaluated.
The presentation used photos taken by visitors that they felt depicted “positive” or “negative” aspects of each of the areas evaluated.
While in town, the visitors talked to people on the streets and evaluated the friendliness and helpfulness of those with whom they spoke. They listed lasting impressions – those that were positive, those that would present the biggest challenges, those that were “keepers” and those that will be remembered six months from their visit.
The Community Civic Organization on behalf of the Point Marion Area Planning Committee sponsored the program.
This was the second workshop given by WVU representatives concerning the town. The first workshop was the Walkable Communities Workshop held in April. The planning committee is preparing an application using input from the two workshops as well as information gathered through public opinion surveys to have a Community Design Team (CDT) also from WVU visit the town in the near future.
The CDT brings 18 to 20 professionals to towns for an intense three-day workshop that results in a concept design for the community developed out of the groups’ expertise and community involvement from a variety of local residents.
The presentation is a prelude to the planned Community Design Team Visit.
Watson said the overarching goal is to build consensus among the population, including borough council, service organizations, churches, schools, seniors and youth. The effort is a grass roots movement to improve the quality of life for everyone in town. It will be an ongoing process to develop priorities and then work with interested, energized folks to get the ball rolling, he said.