Projects Within the Bluefields

Stadium Lights and Sound

Beaver Graham Week

A battle across state lines, Bluefield vs. Graham has been one of the most heated rivalries in high school football for decades. The series dates back all the way to 1911 and is always a hotly contested battle.

Despite the rivalry, the two communities always come together for events surrounding the game in a show of unity.

East Hardy Park

Objectives:

1.— Providing a much-needed facelift and playground upgrade for the neighborhood. 2.— Provide a community gathering space  3.— Provides an updated basketball court for the area.

Areas of Concentration:

Bathrooms, Shelter, Basketball Court Resurfacing, Mural

MPDG Grant 2023-2024

Restoring their Railroad Roots with an Intermodal Facility

The Project has benefits in the following project outcome criteria that are listed in the NOFO: Safety; State of good repair; Economic Impacts, Freight Movement, and Job Creation; Climate Change, Resiliency, and the Environment; and Equality, Multimodal Options, and Quality of Life.

Sink Hole

Princeton Ave. Sink Hole Repair

Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge

Update to DOH's offer to repair bridge infrastructure.

East River Park

Project Description:

Improvements to East River Park would consist of building multigenerational exercise equipment stations and benches as well as construction of a public restroom. A half soccer field would also be added.

Granada New Theaters

This mixed-use entertainment and education project in the long-vacant space underneath the Granada Theater is on track to open in August of the is year.

Originally used as a Ford dealership, when completed the $1.65 million adaptive reuse project will feature two fifty seat theaters, ticketing and concessions areas including a bar, retail space fronting Raleigh Street, and teaching labs for use by New River Community and Technical College in providing job training. 

Downtown Demolition – 400 Block of Bland Street

Creation of a City Center:

This strategic area of COB’s Downtown is the main focal point for growth and a symbol to the community of the change taking place in Southern West Virginia.

New City Center to provide a mixture of greenspaces, Xmas Tree area, seating, landscaping, walkways, new lighting, and could also include parking.

REAP demolition

Project Description The City of Bluefield Code Enforcement Office has identified over 300 dilapidated structures currently, either Condemned, Unfit for Habitation, or in the process of being evaluated for condemnation (Potentially Condemned.)

With the WV DEP REAP Program, to date the city has demolished over 120 structures. FY23/24 Total funds spent was $1,500,000.00. FY 24/25 Bluefield will execute $750,000 worth of demolition, with the first 25 homes beginning June 2024.

Boarder Monument in Bowen Parking Lot

Objectives:

Border Monument will signify the “The Two Bluefield's” , Bluefield State University, Bluefield University, the two local high schools and the rich tradition and culture of our area. It will be designed in a way to highlight the great community we live in and become a symbol that captures the tradition and spirit of our area.

Paving jobs

Maryland Ave. Intersection Mill and Overlay

Public Works Lot Mill and Overlay

Union Street Mill and Overlay

“Two cities” Sanitary and Water Project College Avenue

Water Company

College Avenue Phase 1 Approximate cost: $510,000 College Avenue Phase 2  Approximate cost: $490,000

Sanitary Board

The main sanitary line along Lower College Ave. serves over 3,176 residential homes and businesses.  This project will replace over 1,855 feet of deteriorated clay sewer pipe with high strength PVC and ductile iron piping for traffic bearing loads.

Oakhurst Area Project (sewer and gas)

Cardinal Gas

The rehabilitation of the gas lines in the area will increase the safety to all residents and citizens. It will replace the main on Oakhurst Ave., Edgewood Rd., Orchard Way, and Sunrise Dr., as well as new submain and residential connections throughout the area.

Signage for BSU on college Ave and Stadium

Showing off our hometown pride!

Dog park “Tail Yard”

B&O Tax Ordinance and New Legislation

Key Dam (H&M Project)

The Tracks Masterplan is a regional tourism masterplan that utilizes ATV tourism to create a destination resort in Bluefield, WV.

Playground & Splash Pad

Revamp Yakety Yak Play area

Introduce new splash pad features

Hotel Thelma Rehabilitation

Bluefield Arts Revitalization Corporation is working on rehabilitating the old Hotel Thelma for use as housing in our city.

Travelers Hotel Rehabilitation

Bluefield Arts Revitalization Corporation is also working on rehabilitating the old Travelers Hotel Downtown to serve as apartment units. There is also a potential for mixed use capabilities.

Christmas Village Huts (at city park/Octoberfest)

Maintaing Bluefield, WV's Christmas City title.

Christmas Village, similar to European versions, allows vendors to sell products and patrons to enjoy the lights as well as other events year round.

Oktober Fest and Farmer's Markets.

City support to UN Days and Juneteenth and Parade

Championship Row

Upgrades to Mitchell Stadium

Dressing Room, Concession Area, Viewing Platform.

Former Mercer Nursing Home

BEDA sourcing Radon testing among others.

Medical Facility

Serve the Hill Campaign

Church group assistance and support.

SS4A Implementation Grant

Operational Strategy & Objectives:

Action Plan Grant that is an 80/20 match that we are working in tandem with WVDOH and AECOM. Provides City of Bluefield funding to develop Master Plan for city infrastructure.

Focus Areas:

1. Cherry Street Gap
2. 52 Roundabout
3. Stadium Drive
4. College Avenue

ATIIP Grant

The ATIIP grant is a grant aimed at creating 'active transportation' networks. These networks include buildouts of infrastructure for walking, biking, scootering, and other forms of active transportation. The grant split is 80/20.

Our application will prioritize Connections to Schools, Workplaces, and Residences. Connections to Transit Services, and Connections to Disadvantaged Communities.

Bluefield and Princeton Avenues are focuses for this project. The submittal date is June 17th 2024.

RCP Grant

Operational Strategy & Objectives:

Upgrade and improve transportation infrastructure to reconnect underserved communities and increase long term job creation

Focus Areas:

a. Curb ramps and crosswalks inventory

b. Street lighting

c. Pedestrian/bicycle access/safety

d. Flooding issues—relating this back to safety

e. Streetscapes and walkway access

Transportation Alternatives

This project will be focused on repairing the function of West Cumberland Road. The project will bring sidewalks back to the area so students can take advantage of them to get to school. The project will also work towards alleviating the current traffic backups that happen as a result of school open and close time.

We're expecting to complete this submission by the end of June.

Union Street Stormwater Management and Sewer Replacement Project

The Union Street Project will add a new stormwater detention pond, rehabilitate and existing detention pond, and replace the stormwater infrastructure, including the primary box culvert that has collapsed at several locations.

The final project would also include new paving, sidewalks, and curbing. The estimated cost of this project is $8.5M.

RFP - Whole City Stormwater Review & Design

The City of Bluefield is looking for a firm to review and update the stormwater utilites.

Scott St. Repair

Engineering / construction of the bank and street.

Athletic Field Study

Over arching study of athletic facilities with-in the two Bluefields and the surrounding area.

Camera System

City wide installation of camera system.

Pickleball Courts

Transforming underutilized tennis courts in to pickleball courts at the City Park.