Commission initiates planning process for Lockside Road facilities

May 1—MORGANTOWN — If you've ever driven down Lockside Road, off River Road, a couple things are quickly apparent.

One, it's short—about a quarter mile from start to dead end.

Two, Monongalia County has a lot of stuff going on out there.

On a relatively small portion of a mostly wooded, 14.45-acre parcel sits the Monongalia County K-9 Adoption Center, the headquarters and warehouse for the county facilities department, the county maintenance garage, impound lot and motor pool, the county's litter control office and a secure server building for the county's IT department.

During Wednesday's meeting, the Monongalia County Commission approved a request for qualifications seeking an architectural firm to conduct a facilities assessment and master-planning process for the whole county compound.

"We have space issues with a couple of those departments. But rather than just piecemeal and start down the road, we're looking at a comprehensive assessment of the whole site and what would be the best use to improve the facilities over there, " Commission President Sean Sikora said.

According to the county's request, the selected firm will evaluate the current condition, overall spatial and operational needs and uses for each of the above-listed facilities.

"The county desires to maximize the use of the existing facilities and property in a cost-effective manner with an eye towards future growth and space needs, " the RFQ reads. "The commission may also elect to study the possible relocation of some of the departments to other locations."

Firms have until June 5 to respond.

In other county news, the commission approved $19, 000 from its all-county protection fund line item to be distributed to the Monongalia County Volunteer Fire Department Association to assist the Star City Volunteer Fire Department with needed repairs for the 1990 Pierce Lance fire engine donated to the SCVFD by the Terry Farrell Foundation of Long Island, N.Y., earlier this year.

Commissioner Jeff Arnett said this is the first example he can recall of the association seeking a funding allocation for a single department.

"It just goes to show the group is working together toward the common goal of making sure all volunteer fire departments can upgrade their systems, " he said. "Hopefully it leads to more communication and continued working relationships between the departments."

Lastly, the commission preemptively moved its June 19 meeting to June 18 in recognition of Juneteenth, which is a federal holiday, but not yet an official state holiday.

TWEET @DominionPostWV