| Story and Photos by Drew Moody
A new local housing development went from the drawing board to reality late last week as three homes were set up on the 23-acre site near Glenville. The development is adjacent to Route 5 near the Otterbein Church.
The Rivers View development is the product of meetings between several area businessmen and Glenville State College president Dr. Peter B. Barr. The result has been a partnership and cooperative effort involving the community and college to help make the development a reality.
It is also one of several efforts fulfilling a vision Dr. Barr had even prior to
his first official day as president - and that was for Glenville State College
to play a more active role in the community and give back to the region. Others
include the creation of a 13-county regional educational partnership - which may
be expanding soon, establishing the Hidden Promise Scholars program, and helping
to retain local training of regional jail employees.
Using a 90-ton crane, workers swing the first
of three sections of this home into place. It
takes about 1 day per unit to enclose a home.
A CHORUS CALLS FOR NEW HOUSING
For several years a chorus of voices echoed the belief new and affordable
housing was needed in the area. And while the Hard Rock Land Company led a
project building several homes near the Glenville Golf Course, no proposals for
larger scale projects enticed commercial builders to the area.
Initially about 23-acres of land was donated to the Glenville State College
Foundation by Rockwell Resources, Jones Land Development Company and I.L. Morris.
Next, a group of nine local businessmen agreed to form Gilmer Housing Partners
LLC, contributing $25,000 each, providing initial start-up capital as well as
purchasing the land from the college foundation.
Dr. Barr has told several groups during the past months such cooperative
community efforts are rare - and, in fact, unique in his personal experience.
The roof of this model nears completion.
THE HOMES AND TRACT OF LAND
Situated above the Little Kanawha River the 23-acre property forms a crescent
shape preventing a linear view across the length of the property.
The 19 single family dwellings planned for the development feature over-sized
lots. All city water and sewer services are on site. Electric, telephone, cable
and internet services are underground.
Two lots are being saved for the future construction of two 4-unit townhouses;
while two others are reserved for what is being called "patio homes." These are
single-story houses sharing a common wall.
The homes are being offered by New Horizon Home Sales, Inc., of Summersville,
WV. Owner Jack Jones, a former mortgage banker, intended to return to his roots
to enjoy retirement, but soon found another calling.
Three years and 75 homes later, late last week Jones was overseeing three homes
being placed on their foundations at Rivers View. One of those is a custom
designed model already purchased by the new owners.
Jack Jones (left) is president
and owner of New Horizon
Home Sales of Summersville.
Jones thought Glenville was too far to travel until meeting with the Glenville
State College president. "Dr. Barr's enthusiasm is contagious," Jones said.
These homes are manufactured, but Jones says because of the quality and
affordability can compete with 'stick-built' versions. The typical cost is 28 to
44-percent less than a tradition home, plus there are all-inclusive warranties
covering the product, according to Jones.
In addition, these homes meet or exceed housing codes in all 50-states, Jones added.
The models set up last week range in size from about 1,800 to over 3,000 square
feet. From order date to moving in is expected to take under 90-days.
A public open house is being planned for late October.
CRANE EXPERTS
Steve Whited, owner of Whited Crane Service in White Sulphur Springs, made the trip north to oversee his crew charged with setting three homes on their foundation at the Rivers View complex.
He brought what appeared to be a nearly new 90-ton crane extending to a maximum height of 205-feet.
His workers are no strangers to exacting requirements as they were selected as the contractors who reinforced the tracks on Green Bank's largest radio telescope. According to Whited's workers tolerances on the job were 1/100 of an inch and took months to complete.
While this job wasn't so scientific, Whited's crew made swinging a 38,000 pound home section into place look easy.
Each home was placed and fully enclosed in less than one day.
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