Morgantown Dominion Post
13 December 2006
By Judith Ballangee
With its 100th anniversary celebration set for May 4-6, Star City is making improvements designed to bolster the small community well into its second century.
A major step in that direction is the city's streetscape project along Leeway and Frontier streets and University Avenue. The project is complete except for the addition of lights along University where 17 townhomes are under construction. The lights will be added early next spring, when the townhomes are completed.
Next on the agenda is the expansion of the city's 50-foot boat dock at Edith B. Barill Riverfront Park and Trail. The expanded dock, which will be built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is designed specifically for boats too large to be towed on a trailer.
"The construction will expand our current dock to 100 feet and include a pump station where pleasure boats can pump out their sewage," Mayor Allen Sharp explained.
Sharp is enthusiastic about Star City's waterfront and sees a time when pleasure boats - perhaps even a ferry to Westover and downtown Morgantown - will keep the waterfront busy.
"There was a ferry to Westover and our old-timers, in particular, would love to see it come back," said Sharp, who sees the possibility of Star City residents one day being able to take a ferry to Morgantown for shopping and other activities.
Also in the planning for the waterfront's recreation area are a new picnic area and pavilion near the Tugboat Depot.
Other developments along Star City's waterfront include the purchase of the Gentile Glass building by Rotruck-Lobb funeral directors, who plan to turn the building into a funeral home.
Also on Sharp's wish list are improvements that would someday turn Chipp's Hollow into a park-like enclave, complete with walking trails.
Another priority is mitigation of the odor from MUB's wastewater treatment plant.
"We've been meeting with Morgantown city, officials and we're making progress. It won't happen overnight but we're hopeful," Sharp said.
In a recent report to city council, the mayor indicated that the odor problem likely will be addressed in MUB expansions planned for 2008-'10.
Among the more significant results of city council's campaign to court and manage growth was its unanimous approval last month of a Tax Increment Financing proposal prepared by the Star City Visioning and Development Task Force.
Task Force Co-Chairman James Gaston said a study is under way to assess the value of the property in the designated TIF area. The total value will determine how much money the city would be able to seek via the bonding process made possible under a TIF or tax-increment financing.
After the study, the TIF proposal will go to the county commission. If the commission approves the plan, the TIF will go to the state for its OK.
Gaston is hopeful that, by the time of the centennial celebration, the TIF will be "close to a reality."
Spurred by the TIF proposal, council also undertook a zoning update project this past fall. Headed by Anthony Sellaro, it is the first comprehensive update of Star City zoning laws in more than 30 years.
"The updated version has gone to the city attorney who will check it against state law," Sellaro said.
After the review, which Sellaro expects will be completed in six to eight weeks, the revised code will go the city council, which will hold public hearings before taking a vote.
With the centennial less than six months away, Sharp looks forward to a celebration marked by new growth. "Star City is a great little community, and we see a great future ahead," he said.
In the meantime, Star City is busy planning its 100th anniversary, which is expected to include a carnival, homecoming dinner, glassware exhibits, time capsule, city flag designing contest and more.
People interested in volunteering to help with the planning are encouraged to call city hall at 599-3407. The city is seeking food vendors as well; contact city hall.