Posted Monday, July 25, 2011 ; 05:45 PM
Updated Monday, July 25, 2011; 06:36 PM
| Artists brave heat and unusual working conditions to complete murals. CHARLESTON – The Interstate Pier murals are nearing completion a full month ahead of schedule. Each one depicts an historic aspect of Charleston’s west side.
“People that walk by we tell them the stories of each of our pillars and they love the history and they love the work,” said Jeff Pierson, one of the pier artists. “They think it’s a great addition to their community and so we’re honored to be a part of that to to own a little color out their in the community.”
A good time maybe, but it hasn’t been without it’s challenges. “The circular format seemed like it was going to be quite a challenge,” said artist Charles Hamilton, “At first it was, ‘how do I do that?”
Pierson added, “The greatest challenge the heat and humidity. The humidity has played a huge role in trying to get these murals finished. Obviously we’re out here in the heat everyday and we’re getting used to the interstate noise, though we like it, it’s kinda a nice ambiance after a while.”
Hamilton agreed. “The heat’s been interesting, but I knew it would be hot,” he said.
While the aim of the painted pillars is to give back to the community, the artists themselves said they’ve been enriched by working with each other. “Most of us haven’t worked together,” said Pierson. “And this has been great for us to come out and be together as artists.”
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Institute, WV – Continuing with the Economic Stimulus grant for improving the streetscape along Charleston’s west side, the West Side Main Street (WSMS) program has been awarded $13,500 to continue improving the area between Beatrice Street and Hunt Avenue. WSMS will use the money to “clean up” the area and purchase trash receptacles along with street furniture and benches along this section of the Washington Street corridor.
West Side Main Street (WSMS), which launched on the west side of Charleston in 2005 as a program of West Virginia State University Extension Service, has partnered with the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority on the five-phase streetscape project.
“We are excited to see this project funding continue along with the renovations,” says Pat McGill, Director of West Side Main Street. “We hope that by installing new trash receptacles and benches along the West Washington corridor it will encourage people to keep our neighborhood clean and offer opportunities for a quiet place to sit down and relax.”
The funding is part of the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) that the city of Charleston receives each year from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HUD states the primary objective of the CDBG Program is the development of viable communities, including decent housing, suitable living environments and expanding economic opportunities, principally for low and moderate income residents.
McGill says that streetscape projects haven’t been accomplished along Washington Street West in nearly two decades. WSMS will continue to apply for additional funding as the project moves forward.
Previously Governor Manchin awarded a $525,000 Economic Stimulus grant to the West Side Main Street program’s streetscape project. This launched a multi-phase initiative to renovate streetscapes along the program’s Washington Street West corridor. For more information, contact Pat McGill, WSMS Director, at 304.720.3161.
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Charleston’s West Side is open for business! That is the theme of West Side Main Street’s upcoming Business After Hours, scheduled for May 18. The event will be held at the Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center from 6-8 p.m. and will include a showcase of some of the new and diverse businesses which have opened on the West Side.
Tuesday’s Business After Hours celebrates the strong partnership between West Side Main Street, the city of Charleston and West Side businesses and residents in building a robust and diverse business base. Businesses scheduled to participate are wildly diverse, including Drug Testing Centers of America, Spa Elements salon and spa and Risin Dough bakery. Business owners will be on hand to talk about establishing a business on the West Side and WSMS Director Pat McGill will unveil the slate of promotional activities for the summer.
The Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center is located at 1701 5th Avenue.
To learn more about WSMS, visit www.westsidemainstreet.org.
Contact: Scott Castleman
304/421-2057
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Charleston West Side Main Street (WSMS), in conjunction with West Virginia State University Extension, will unveil a dynamic new marketing and branding campaign for Charleston’s West Side on Tuesday, April 20 on the front lawn of Stonewall Jackson Middle School at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s announcement will culminate almost one year of work conducted by WSMS to develop a re-brand for the West Side. For the first time in the West Side’s history, a professional firm was brought in to talk with local business owners and residents to determine what they feel is important to the area. The marketing campaign and branding materials developed by WSMS hope to bring a new vision and excitement to Charleston.
Despite being the most populated and business-friendly area of Charleston, the West Side has historically been one of the least appreciated. This branding effort will include a new, contemporary logo and color palette that will help give the West Side a new look and welcome a new generation to this historic district.
The events speakers will include Charleston City Councilman Joe Deneault and WSMS Director Pat McGill, who will unveil the new logo to the crowd. Other dignitaries expected to be in attendance include Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, West Virginia 31st District Delegate Meshea Poore, West Virginia 30th District Delegate Doug Skaff Jr., West Virginia 17th District Senator Dr. Dan Foster and West Virginia 8th District Senator Erik Wells.
Media kits with the new logo and branding materials will be available for all media in attendance.
To learn more about WSMS, visit www.westsidemainstreet.org.
Contact: Scott Castleman
304-421-2057
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Charleston West Side Main Street (WSMS), in conjunction with West Virginia State University Extension, will unveil a dynamic new marketing and branding campaign for Charleston’s West Side on Tuesday, April 20 on the front lawn of Stonewall Jackson Middle School at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday’s announcement will culminate almost one year of work conducted by WSMS to develop a re-brand for the West Side. For the first time in the West Side’s history, a professional firm was brought in to talk with local business owners and residents to determine what they feel is important to the area. The marketing campaign and branding materials developed by WSMS hope to bring a new vision and excitement to Charleston.
Despite being the most populated and business-friendly area of Charleston, the West Side has historically been one of the least appreciated. This branding effort will include a new, contemporary logo and color palette that will help give the West Side a new look and welcome a new generation to this historic district.
The events speakers will include Charleston City Councilman Joe Deneault and WSMS Director Pat McGill, who will unveil the new logo to the crowd. Other dignitaries expected to be in attendance include Charleston Mayor Danny Jones, West Virginia 31st District Delegate Meshea Poore, West Virginia 30th District Delegate Doug Skaff Jr., West Virginia 17th District Senator Dr. Dan Foster and West Virginia 8th District Senator Erik Wells.
Media kits with the new logo and branding materials will be available for all media in attendance.
To learn more about WSMS, visit www.westsidemainstreet.org.
Contact: Scott Castleman
304-421-2057
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Institute, WV – West Virginia State University Extension Service’s West Side Main Street (WSMS) program has received a $20,000 Community Participation grant from the West Virginia Legislature for façade renovations along the program’s designated Washington Street West corridor. This latest award is one of multiple ongoing beautification projects designed to enhance Charleston’s West Side.
With the new funding, WSMS will encourage business owners along West Washington Street, as well as those located within one block on either side, to improve the exterior of their buildings by reimbursing up to 50% of their renovation costs. Eligible activities include painting, signage, landscaping, repointing of masonry and brick, and replacement of windows and doors.
“This is our second façade grant,” says Pat McGill, Director of West Side Main Street. “So far we have had six façade renovations that are improving the look of the West Side business district.”
The Community Participation grant award is the latest in a series of beautification projects on the West Side. A recent Economic Stimulus Grant will initiate a streetscape project that will improve looks and accessibility of the corridor’s sidewalks over a multi-phase span.
Also, the first public park on the West Side, located on Barton Street, is in the works thanks to a gift of land from the Craft family and a lot purchased by the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority. Already planted and set for completion in the spring of 2010 with the placement of benches, the park includes perennial beds, an urban tree area and picnic tables. Additional funding for the park project came from the West Side Neighborhood Association and the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation.
West Side Main Street has been organizing community revitalization efforts along Charleston’s Washington Street West corridor since its inception in 2005 through a partnership with West Virginia State University Extension Service and the City of Charleston.
Business owners wishing to participate in the façade renovation program must complete an application process. For information, contact Pat McGill at 304-720-3161 or director@westsidemainstreet.org.
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Institute, WV – Governor Manchin has awarded a $525,000 Economic Stimulus grant to the West Side Main Street program’s streetscape project. The funding will launch a multi-phase initiative with the goal of renovating streetscapes along the program’s Washington Street West corridor.
West Side Main Street (WSMS), which launched on the west side of Charleston in 2005 as a program of West Virginia State University Extension Service, has partnered with the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority on the five-phase streetscape project.
“We are excited to see this project funded and to begin renovations,” says Pat McGill, Director of West Side Main Street. “We’ll begin along Washington Street from Beatrice Avenue, moving toward Maryland Avenue over the next few years.”
Sidewalks and crosswalks will be replaced, utility lines relocated, and street furniture and landscaping will be accomplished. The project’s master plan will complete the streetscape along the corridor over the next five years.
Other components of the first phase of the project include new concrete curbs, ADA accessible ramps, ADA compliant crosswalks and pedestrian scale street lights. Brick pavements, benches, flower pots, seat walls, and additional landscaping and sidewalk enlargements are also part of the long-range plan.
For the most part, added McGill, streetscape projects haven’t been accomplished along Washington Street West in nearly two decades. WSMS will apply for additional funding as the project moves into later phases.
The 20% match for the federal funding is provided by the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority, which will serve as the fiscal agent for the project. For more information, contact Pat McGill, WSMS Director, at 304.720.3161.
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