If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. — African proverb

In 2015, downtown Elkins looked very different than it does today. We had many vacant storefronts, crime was up, and few downtown businesses stayed open after 5 p.m.

The Tygart Hotel was at the center, having fallen into disrepair and providing substandard housing. At the time, I was told that the Tygart often accounted for the majority of daily calls to the Elkins Police.

After a couple of community meetings that same year, and encouragement from local businesses and the City of Elkins, Woodlands Development Group agreed to purchase the building, and at least explore the option of converting it back to a hotel.

Davis Trust Company immediately stepped up, followed shortly by Freedom Bank and Pendleton Community Bank, and committed financing to the proposed project.

Many, many local partners helped craft a plan with Woodlands. Market studies were conducted, hospitality specialists and architects were engaged, and outreach began to potential investors.

It took until early 2022, but in May of that year, Woodlands started construction on what would be an $18 million redevelopment effort.

Just as importantly, other building and business owners jumped in, and renovations began on multiple downtown structures.

The City created a TIF district to support public improvements, and the Development Authority secured funding for a new Event Center in our Railyard.

It is our hope that the Tygart restoration celebrates our past — the people and the communities that came before us, that helped create a place we all want to live. The completed project will celebrate our present as well, by serving as a demonstration of what a community full of smart and creative people can accomplish when working together.

We are excited to highlight the work of many local artists in the Hotel, telling the story of the lost towns of the region — places like Wildell, Osceola, and Spruce. It is our goal that this will encourage visitors to go out and explore these places, in addition to frequenting the businesses in our downtown.

We committed to paying all employees a living wage, and were overwhelmed with over 625 applications, almost all from area residents.

The Hotel will ultimately employ 57 people.

With proceeds from the Hotel and donations solicited from guests, Woodlands has additionally committed to building workforce housing in the surrounding neighborhoods, giving local workers the opportunity to purchase a new home, contribute to community stability and growth, and build real family wealth.

We are grateful to the many, many people and organizations who have helped make this happen, and thankful to live in a community that makes a project like this possible.

We hope that you come visit the Tygart Hotel, and I look forward to the journey ahead.

Dave Clark is the executive director of Woodlands Development Group.