Point Marion plans for Community Design Team’s visit
Located just north of the Mason-Dixon Line, Point Marion is a scenic river town that faces all the common problems of small towns in this part of the country – diminishing population, opportunities, and revenues. Early in 2005, a group of residents formed the Point Marion Area Planning Committee to try to secure a brighter and more prosperous future for the area. The initial mission statement of the group was to apply for and be awarded a Community Design Team (CDT) visit from West Virginia University.
To that end, the committee involved public, service, social and religious organizations, residents and visitors and youth and seniors in the application process and submitted a successful application in July.
The committee was notified in January that the team leaders from the CDT wanted to schedule an initial site visit to begin the organizational work involved in having the team visit the town.
The CDT is a volunteer group of about 20 professional landscape architects, planners, economic developers, engineers, architects and cultural resources specialists who will be touring, asking questions, listening and planning in Point Marion beginning Thursday, March 23, through Saturday, March 25. While in town, the CDT will be staying with host families.
On Friday, the visit is devoted to learning as much as they can about the community’s needs and wants as well as learning what resources are available in the area and becoming familiar with the town. A variety of speakers, tours and interviews will provide the background.
Using the information they derive from this in-depth education on the Point Marion area, they will work all day Saturday brainstorming and creating a design concept plan for the town.
In order to facilitate the CDT’s opportunities to meet with residents and others interested in the Point Marion area, the planning committee is hosting a free community wide dinner on Friday, March 24, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Point Marion United Methodist Church Social Hall, located on the corner of Broadway and Morgantown streets. Anyone with an interest in helping plan the future is encouraged to attend.
The CDT will then present its designs and plans at another town event scheduled for Saturday, March 25, beginning at 7 p.m. This meeting will be held in the same location and is open to the public as well.
Additional information about these events is available from Diane Watson, chairman of the Point Marion Area Planning Committee at 724-725-5457 or diane_watson@verizon.net.