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Residents, preservationists urge Charlestown and county to protect historic 100 block buildings
Summary
Local business owners and the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia urged the Charlestown City Council to collaborate with Jefferson County and Charlestown Now to pursue preservation and a redevelopment study for county‑owned buildings on the 100 block of East Washington Street.
Longtime downtown business owner Missy Grove told the Charlestown City Council on June 16 she wants the city, county and local Main Street group to "exhaust all options" to preserve the historic buildings on the 100 block of East Washington Street.
"I am here today to support and request that the city council, mayor and Charlestown Now work together to exhaust all options to do what is best for these buildings," Grove said, and told the council she would submit a written statement for the record.
Greg Coble, a Jefferson County resident and board member of the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, said his statewide preservation group placed the town on its most‑endangered list because they are concerned county‑owned properties downtown lack a coordinated stewardship plan. "We're very, very concerned," Coble said, and offered the alliance's assistance.
Multiple other business owners — including a letter from Mark Lintonzi of Mitchell Park Companies and comments from Levi Sellers — urged the council to commission a redevelopment study so developers and the city can plan for reuse of the county properties while preserving the Charlestown Historic District and remaining eligible for federal and state historic incentives.
Council members listened as owners said that what happens on the 100 block will affect property values and the long‑term vitality of downtown. The mayor read additional emailed comments into the record and staff confirmed those emails will be entered into the official minutes.
Why it matters: the properties in question are county‑owned and speakers said coordinated engagement between the city, county and local Main Street organization is needed to avoid piecemeal dispositions that might undercut preservation and eligibility for historic rehabilitation incentives.
What happens next: community members urged continued advocacy and asked the council to keep Charlestown Now at the negotiating table with Jefferson County; councilors and staff did not announce a formal next step for city action during the meeting.
