MORGANTOWN – James Giuliani is asking the city of Morgantown and the Monongalia County Commission to look into why and how a parcel at 142 Richwood Ave. was apparently sold out of the ongoing East End Village project in a deal between the project’s developer, Dave Biafora, and another private interest, August Realty.
Giuliani sold the parcel to the Monongalia County Development Authority in 2020. It was one of a number of properties that made up the approximately 10 acres purchased by MCDA from Giuliani for $11.8 million.
A short time later, MCDA was joined by the city of Morgantown, Monongalia County and West Virginia University in announcing a redevelopment project using the newly acquired land. That project would come to be known as East End Village.
According to Giuliani, MCDA still owes him money on the 2020 purchase, and, as such, stipulations in the deed of trust between the parties require MCDA to get a signed release from him if the public corporation wishes to sell any of the parcels.
The parcel in question, 142 Richwood, is listed as 0.04 acres. Unlike the rest of the development area, which is situated on the hillside overlooking Richwood Avenue, this parcel is located within the Richwood Avenue loop at the base of the hill.
Because of its location, Giuliani calls it “the most key and valuable piece of property in the development.”
According to deed documents, 142 Richwood has changed hands twice since MCDA purchased it from Giuliani.
In May 2024, MCDA essentially traded the parcel to CMC Company LLC, which lists Biafora as manager, in exchange for 600 Allen Ave., another parcel in the East End redevelopment area.
Giuliani said he was never notified of that transaction.
“So, at that point in time, June of 2024, the deal goes bad. Everything that happens at that point in time forward is illegal and can be voided. Because then, 18 months later … in December of 2025, they come to me asking me for a release of this property for Mr. Biafora of CMC,” Giuliani said. “Well, I’m wondering why, but what they tell me is it’s for the benefit of the development. I said, ‘OK’.”
In December 2025, CMC Company sold 142 Richwood to August Realty, which lists Samuel Chico III as manager and organizer, for $295,000 according to records available through the Monongalia County Clerk’s Office.
Chico Enterprises Inc., which lists Samuel Chico III as its president and treasurer, already owned the rest of the property within the Richwood Avenue loop.
“Certain things went down. A private developer gets $295,000 for this property. Why? For what? … Somebody was enriched here,” Giuliani said, and later adding, “I’m asking for this one parcel to be looked at as a foreclosure, as a breach. Everything else stays in place. I’m not putting the development at all in jeopardy. What I’m saying to you, this was sold out to the detriment of the development and to the benefit of these private individuals, CMC, Dave Biafora, and August Realty, Sam Chico.”
Both 142 Richwood and 600 Allen were among the properties demoed and cleared by Reclaim Company through a $548,500 contract awarded by the city of Morgantown in July 2024. The city utilized TIF funds for that work.
Asked for comment on Giuliani’s claims, the MCDA provided the following: “We have no comment on the recent public statements made by individuals. We are confident the project is moving forward, and it will be a great benefit to the community.”
Giuliani, who presented his concerns before Morgantown City Council Tuesday evening, said he would like both the city and county to explore exactly where the project stands.
“You, the public, you, the commissioners who appoint and select the board (MCDA), has to be concerned … we’re six years into this. Six years into this, OK? And where are we at?” he asked.
Commissioner Sean Sikora, who represents the commission on the MCDA, said the East End Village project “is a very complicated project with a lot of intense personalities.”
“As the saying goes, there’s always two sides of the story, but we’ll get to the bottom of it, and we’ll make sure that, at the end of the day, that you’re made whole and your concerns are addressed,” he told Giuliani.
