The town of Star City is looking to sell some prime real estate along Boyers Avenue for commercial development.
The strip of land totals about .66 acres located between University Avenue and Leeway Street, which serves as an access to Sheetz, Jazzy’s Sweet Spot and other properties.
According to a forthcoming request for proposals, the town is looking for private developers or development teams to submit proposals for the purchase and development of the site, which has been appraised at $575,000. The purchase offers must start at that number.
Because the property is located in the town’s Boyers Avenue tax increment finance (TIF) district, it will technically be purchased from the Monongalia County Commission and the proceeds returned to the TIF fund for use within the district.
As a Class IV municipality, Star City must work with the commission on projects within the district.
“Star City, as a Class IV, doesn’t necessarily have the powers under the TIF Act and so that’s why the counties involved. Because of that, the TIF Act would allow property that’s acquired to be sold pursuant to a project plan without going through a public auction,” bond attorney Tom Aman explained.
The property is located within Star City’s Riverfront Overlay Business District and is also covered by the commercial/retail business district use restrictions, which only prohibits a handful of uses, including auto storage or wrecking yards, manufacturing, uses deemed noxious or offensive due to odor, dust, smoke, noise, etc., or storage/sorting yards for junk, scrap metal, paper, etc.
“They would submit a plan as to what they want to do with the property. Then once those are obtained, that would be a decision between the county commission and the town of Star City as to who would be best suited with what they presented,” Mayor Sharon Doyle said.
Aman said he’s finalizing a memorandum of understanding between Star City and the commission. Once both sides approve that MOU, the request for proposals will be made public.
The town acquired the property in 2012 to make room for the Boyers Avenue widening and improvement project.
In 2020, the commission approved an amendment to Star City’s TIF plan allowing for the sale of that property.
In other Star City TIF news, the commission said it’s receptive to Star City using funds generated by the district for sidewalk replacement and improvements along University Avenue.
Doyle said the sidewalks are in “dire need,” and noted there appears to be no money coming in from any other sources.
Despite the town’s central thoroughfare being a state-maintained route, Doyle said the West Virginia Division of Highways has indicated its only involvement would be the placement of ADA-accessible ramps.
“We are wanting to start the 5G process to obtain an engineering firm who will guide us through this process. Once we get all that in order, get prices and estimates on what this is going to cost, we’ll present you guys a proposal and see if you’ll give us some money,” she told the commissioners.
As with the development mentioned above, the use of TIF funds for the sidewalks will require an MOU between the town and county.
Star City Town Council approved the document Tuesday. The commission said it will place the matter on an upcoming agenda.
