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ELKINS -- A Thrasher Group representative made an informational presentation to Randolph County Commissioners about the planned Elkins Veterans Memorial Park during the most recent commission meeting.
Sam Rich, a landscape architect and project manager with Thrasher, told Commissioners Cris Siler, David Kesling and Chris See about the project that will be located behind the Elkins All-Veterans Memorial.
"I have been working on a project at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Railroad Avenue, which is kind of the gateway where you come into Elkins and the existing memorial is," Rich said.
"We got involved with this working with the Rotary and the Williams Foundation, who are doing a Goldstar Memorial Monument, a project they have taken on and will be installing at this particular location."
Rich said he was introduced to Emma Scott Garden Club president Linda Shomo while meeting with the organizations and the two discussed development in the area.
"The Emma Scott Garden Club has been working on fundraising, specifically for a Rosie the Riveter statue," Rich said. "Basically we are here today to present some of the ideas for improvements, and the next steps for the project."
Rich told commissioners the garden club is paying for the cost of the statue, which is $67,000, but is looking for help with some of the improvements to the area around the 8-foot Rosie the Riveter. The renovations would include a parking lot, walkways to various monuments, sidewalks, site prep, and the foundation for the statue.
"Ultimately, this is part of a bigger vision and the City of Elkins has devised a master plan and wants to continue and develop the rest of the property," Rich said. "On the southern end of the site there are opportunities for something like a coverage stage, which can be a hosting place for different events, such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day."
Rich said the ESGC is currently making a push to get everything taken care of as quickly as possible, so they can honor living Rosies who live in the area.
"They have funds that they are raising and are focusing on the statute itself, but are looking for any assistance to help get this project moving forward, and do some of these basic infrastructure improvements," Rich said.
He provided a general budget for the entire proposed complex, with a total estimated cost of around $500,000, including everything he had mentioned plus landscaping, lighting, paving and storm water work.
Kesling told Rich the commission had discussed what he brought before them and was looking to help with the parking area and a concrete sidewalk leading to the statue.
"The southern end is what the City of Elkins is looking to develop. We are just primarily focusing on helping get the Rosie in place, and getting access to her," Kesling said. "We also have volunteers in the community who are looking to do the landscaping for us… We are still working on stuff and will have other meetings about this… We are hoping to get this thing done before fall."
The next Randolph County Commission meeting will be May 16 at 1:30 p.m.