It’s about puzzle pieces, and it’s about logical growth for Rick Healy when he reports to work each morning as Moundsville’s City Manager.
Healy, who was raised in Glen Dale and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1979, has a long history in the business world. Not only did he own his own hardware store in Moundsville, but his resume includes 84 Lumber and the Belomar Regional Council, a local organization that provides management assistance to Marshall, Ohio, and Wetzel counties in the Mountain State, and Belmont County in Ohio.
He’s been Moundsville’s chief executive since early 2019, and ever since the county seat city of Marshall County has seen change. Infrastructure, recreation, quality of life.
And now the City of Moundsville is participating in On Trac, a program that focuses on revitalization, vitality, and even the design of downtown districts, and thanks to Council approval, the City owns a large lot along Moundsville busy-with-business Jefferson Avenue following a fire that took place back in March.
Oh, the possibilities, and yes, oh what potential there is for “Moundtown” to continue its transforming renaissance.
Why is constructing an indoor sports complex a good idea for the future of Moundsville?
An indoor sports complex has been on the “Want List” of Councilwoman (Ginger) DeWitt, Parks & Recreation Director John White, and I for a long time.
When the former Sanford School was demolished, it became the perfect site for such a facility. It is close to the geographical center of town, is walkable, bikeable, and we already own the site.
The Highlands Sports Complex is a great facility, but it is way too big for Moundsville. Our proposed indoor center will be sized for Moundsville and Marshall County. This is the next logical step to grow the recreation opportunities in this area.
What is the status of the new Municipality Building and what lessons have you learned during the process?
The building is progressing, although not as quickly as I would like. The projected move-in date of late August/early September is not going to happen, so again – we wait. I expect we are looking at an early 2026 opening now.
As for lessons that I learned? Hard to say. We did everything by the book. We followed all procurement procedures and the winning bidder had all of the necessary documentation. The initial contractor filing bankruptcy was entirely out of our control.
Working with the bonding (insurance) company has been difficult, as they work to complete the project. In the end, it will be worth it, but it is a shame that we are almost three years from the contract signing.
Would you be open to a new discussion concerning an OVRTA agreement for public transportation?
As (people) know, I have no vote on City Council. That was a very contentious issue that really divided the Council. The low ridership on buses in general swayed some at the end, in addition to the increased taxes to the citizens.
Anything can be brought up again, and we have an election in 2026, so I would not be surprised to see that.
How do you explain the City’s current plans for the new property on Jefferson Avenue?
The purchase gives the city more involvement in the development of that property, (and) everyone has ideas for that land.
One we have heard a lot is that it would be a great place to move Jefferson Fridays! While that may be true, it does not make it productive the other 362 days of the year. Our business district is unique in that we do not currently have an eating establishment.
Visions of a restaurant with outside seating, business or retail storefronts, and second floor apartments – that’s what dances through MY head for this space.
We are working with (the Regional Economic Development Partnership) RED to market this property, and plan to have a Request for Proposals (RFP) advertised soon.
Do you consider the current “era” in Moundsville its renaissance?
Yes, I absolutely do.
I think the positive changes that have been made by City Council and the administration and employees point directly to that. Some of the bigger steps taken that contribute to that renaissance is the development and implementation of a Land Reuse Agency, the recent property purchase on Jefferson Avenue, and the implementation of the On Trac Program.
The LRA will allow us to turn unproductive properties (lots that are vacant, have dilapidated structures on them, or properties in which the city has liens), can all be rehabilitated, demolished, sold, and hopefully turned into productive lots with new houses/businesses. As for Jefferson Avenue, it was a very proactive move for City Council to approve the purchase of three parcels that were recently cleared due to the devastating fire.
This purchase allows the city to be more involved in what development occurs on that property. We want to make sure that it is in the best interest of the city, its citizens, but maybe most important – the current businesses.
After a few years of delay due to COVID, Moundsville was awarded On Trac status, the predecessor to Main Street. The On Trac District is Jefferson Avenue from Second to Fifth streets and includes the Strand Theatre. This volunteer-driven program focuses on the Main Street Four-Point Approach. They include Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Vitality. This focuses on the businesses and will lend a much-needed hand to them.
Also, there has been more property changing hands on Jefferson Avenue over the last six months than ever before, so, I truly believe that we are “right there” on the cusp of a renaissance.
