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County approves $500,000 grant and lease changes to help repair Wards Building elevator and water line
Summary
The Monongalia County Commission approved a $500,000 grant agreement and a restated lease-purchase agreement with the Monongalia County Development Authority to fund elevator and water-line repairs at the Wards Building and restructure purchase and default terms.
The Monongalia County Commission on April 30 approved a $500,000 grant agreement and an amendment and restatement of a lease-purchase agreement with the Monongalia County Development Authority to fund repairs at the Wards Building and revise repayment and default terms.
The county’s award of $500,000 is broken into two parts: $370,000 designated for elevator replacement and water-line repairs, and $130,000 to cover dues to MAP for fiscal year 2026, according to the commission’s description of the documents. The commission also approved a revised lease-purchase schedule that sets a new purchase-price cap of $1,000,000 and requires annual payments of $50,000 for 20 years beginning July 1, 2025.
The change preserves county ownership of the building’s basement and fourth floor for storage “in perpetuity,” and it restates that if the development authority exercises an option to purchase the building, the county will lease the basement and fourth floor to the new owner at an annual rent of $1 for a 50-year period with an option to extend 20 years. The documents also formalize an agreement to collect payments in lieu of taxes from non-government tenants and include an assignment of rents clause so that, if the development authority defaults, tenant rents would be directed to the county to cover obligations.
Commissioners and the development authority said repairs were urgent after the building’s elevator failed and a main water line required a temporary $9,000 fix and a longer-term $30,000 repair. The development authority’s leadership told commissioners the property has been a “huge success,” is fully leased and previously received substantial investment; they said the authority is cash‑strapped and needs the county assistance to complete critical repairs so tenants — including county offices and the public defender’s office — can continue to occupy the building.
County officials said they gave the development authority revised objectives to secure the funds and to formalize tenant-mapping and payment mechanisms that were not fully documented under the original agreement. The commission voted to authorize the county president to sign the grant and the amended lease documents.
The motion to approve the president signing the agreements was seconded and carried by voice vote.
