Morgantown Dominion Post
31 July 2008
Evolution is commonly regarded as a series of slight changes that happen over long periods of time. Rivers might know this best. But the evolution of the Monongahela River in Monongalia County - since the mid-1990s - leads us to believe that the word "long" might not apply any longer. The communities of Granville, Morgantown, Star City and Westover, appear to be in a hurry to get wherever it is this river is going and it won't be some day, it'll be tomorrow. In a recent enterprise project, our newspaper explored the changes going on along the Monongahela River and couldn't help but conclude that this is a positive development. Quality of life issues, like protecting the environment and enhancing recreation, are given as much due as commercial projects in these communities. City leaders and others are taking pains to avoid duplication and building on what's in place. Even plans to utilize the river for public transportation are being conceived. Granville is not only adding a ramp and parking for boats and their trailers, but has plans to build a 100-space park-and-ride along the river that is linked to both a new bus line and a proposed water bus across the river. Revitalization of the area along the Monongahela in Star City has dramatically changed and improved the landscape there from the river up, with the addition of recreation, streetscape, commercial and residential projects. And no detail has been overlooked. A modern playground for children, public restrooms, picnic tables, a fishing pier and sidewalk improvements all combine with access to the rail trail to make this area a destination. Meanwhile, Westover is in the midst of discussions with developers who have shown an interest in developing the town's riverfront area, too. It's hard to recall the riverfront just a decade or so ago when abandoned rail lines, decrepit warehouses, garages and such were the norm. Until 1994, when the Caperton Trail and Hazel Ruby McQuain Park tapped into $1 million in seed money, this area was by and large ignored by the public and private sectors. Then within a few years, development along Morgantown's riverfront, throughout its Wharf District and beyond flowed like the river itself. Today the historic warehouse district continues to renew itself with restaurants, shops, docks, a visitor's center, a pier, bus depot and more. Other parks, piers and plans by the state to build another boat ramp seem to run almost like a stream now up and down the Monongahela River. Though developments along the Monongahela River have not conformed to too many theories, it's safe to say this area has adapted well to change.