Hotel Plans Get a Boost

Marion approves property transfer

Morgantown Dominion Post
18 November 2010
By Nicole Lemal

Waterfront property along the Monongahela River in Fairmont could undergo some major changes in the next few years.

The Marion County Commission approved a property transfer agreement, giving two acres to the Marion County Regional Development Corporation (MRDC), a nonprofit group. Two area developers, who wish to remain anonymous at this time, plan to purchase the waterfront property from the MRDC. The property is on Water Street under the Third Street Bridge.

“They need the waterfront property as well to develop the way they want to,” commissioner Burley Tennant Jr. said.

The developers own the property adjoining the waterfront. They plan to build a hotel, a waterfront restaurant and boat docks.

As part of the deal, whoever takes the property will also need to relocate and rebuild the skate park.

According to Commission Administrator Chris Cinnalli, there shouldn’t be any interruptions regarding the park’s use.

“If they secure a developer soon, we are hoping to do as little disruption as we can,” he said. “A week would be the biggest disruption.”

Details about where the skate park will be moved are being discussed. Cinnalli said it will remain within county property.

“If they don’t develop the property within two years, then it comes back to the County Commission,” Tennant said.