Hur Herald

Hur Herald Archives

Search Hur Herald Contact Hur Herald
Sunny Calhoun Couty West Virginia Calhoun County West Virginia Rural Scene  
Sunny Calhoun Couty West Virginia Sunny Calhoun Couty West Virginia
Calhoun County West Virginia Rural Scene Calhoun County West Virginia Rural Scene
Calhoun County Personal News Calhoun County Obituaries Calhoun County Opinion and Comments People and Humor Calhoun County Ancestry Photo of the Day
We Get Letters Calhoun County Events Columns Calhoun County Weather Submit News Tip About Hur Herald
Calhoun County Links Hur herald Guestbook Calhoun County Sports

Sponsor

OLD CALHOUN HIGH SCHOOL SOLD - Affordable Housing Proposed, Other Grantsville Projects

(09/04/2003)

Developer Richards invites local officials on high school tour

Former Calhouner Hagan Richards (L) and developer son,
Dan Richards (R) have a vision for the old school

By Bob Weaver

The old cut stone Calhoun County High School has been purchased by a California developer, with strong ties to the county.

"We see opportunity here, and besides we don't want to see this building go down," said Dan Richards, President of Corporate Services of Coldwell Banker Commercial Inland Empire.

"We're looking at creating 25-30 senior housing units in the old school building. "It is an ideal structure for such a project," he said.

Local businessman Shirley Fitzwater sold the building to Richards last week.

Richards, who has helped develop over 3,500 housing units in southern California, is the son of former Calhouner Hagan Richards of Fairmont.

"We really don't expect to make money with this project, but dad wants to do this, and so do I," said Richards, who has 26 years in real estate development. "We want to make this happen."

Richards said there is a problem most everywhere finding affordable housing. "We want to compliment the local senior center. He said "Mike Ritchie has done an excellent job for Calhoun seniors. I'm really impressed."

"I really want you to know we need your support," said Richards to the members of the Calhoun Commission, Mayor Neil Blankenship, Del. Bill Stemple and other officials who met at the school yesterday morning.

Richards said it would take time to "put all the pieces together."

Richards asked officials if there were any ideas for the old
shop building and gym, otherwise they might be torn down

Hagan Richards said he and a crew will start on a three week project "cleaning out" the building.

The high school project is one of four proposed improvements on the drawing board for Grantsville.

The CCCOA (Senior Center) is working on the possible construction of an indoor swimming pool and health center on the Minnie Hamilton lot on High Street, owned by Knott's Memorial UM Church.

The disposition of the crumbling town hall could be the site of a $750,000 convenience store, although businessman Steve Satterfield said he is backing away from the project.

The Calhoun Commission is submitting several grants seeking improvements to Wayne Underwood Field, including a paved parking area, bleachers to seat an additional 400 people, and a walking trail, among other improvements.


Hur Herald ®from Sunny Cal
The information on these pages, to the extent the law allows, remains the exclusive property of Bob Weaver and Dianne Weaver The Hur Herald. All information may be freely used but must not be sold or used in any type of commercial endeavor, or used on any web site without the express permission of the owners ©Bob and Dianne Weaver, The Hur Herald, 1999, 2000, 2001