Granville Leases Riverfront Property
30-year lease costs a dollar annually
Morgantown Dominion Post
16 May 2010
GRANVILLE — Town officials recently secured property along the
riverfront through a long-term lease, ensuring it as the future site of
a recreational park.
On Thursday, Mayor Patricia Lewis met with CONSOL Energy
representatives to sign a 30-year lease agreement for a
3,200-squarefoot piece of riverfront property off W.Va. 100. According
to Lewis, the town previously leased the property from CONSOL for $50
on a year-to-year basis. Once used to ship coal along the river, CONSOL
has had no use for the property since the Arkwright mine’s closure.
“We approached them several years ago and asked them if they would be
willing to let us have that property — lease it or purchase it — to
give us access to the river,” she said.
The new agreement allows the town to lease the property at $1 a year
for 30 years, with an option to renew it at the end. The lease also
places no restrictions on town use, Lewis said.
The property is expected to be developed into a recreational area,
featuring fishing docks, restrooms and pavilions, as well as the future
Mountain Line river bus.
Councilwoman Mary Beth Renner later said council supported the lease
agreement as necessary for the development of the property and the
realization of the project. They didn’t feel the town could invest the
time, money and effort into the project with only a short-term lease,
she said.
“We needed a more permanent lease because we couldn’t go through with
the project we wanted without it,” Renner added, “and this was just
perfect.”
Similarly, she said CONSOL has expressed approval of their plans.
Council plans to get the riverside project under way as soon as
possible, Renner said, with the first phase expected to go out to bid
in the near future.
While initial project funding will come from the town budget, Renner
said officials hope to have grants cover most of the costs.