by Alice Walkup

The West Virginia Municipal League recognized the winners of its All-Star City Awards during its 37th Annual Conference in Chester, W.Va., Aug. 10-12.

The awards program encourages innovation in local government and shares the best public service ideas in the state. It also illustrates the commitment and competence of local government public servants.

Under the enrichment category, this year?s All-Star City Awards were given to five West Virginia municipalities: Clarksburg, Fayetteville, Point Pleasant, Morgantown and Lewisburg.

The City of Clarksburg partnered with the Urban Renewal Authority in 2003 to create the Downtown Fa?ade Improvement Grant Program to repair and revitalize the fa?ades of many of the buildings in the city?s central business district. Over the past three years, 50 grants have been awarded for more than $94,000. With the additional 14 pending projects for more than $19,000, the total amount of money awarded is nearly $114,000.

The Town of Fayetteville developed the Fayette Town Center Project to maintain economic vitality in the community while also preserving the historic parts of the town. The project complex houses a Wal-Mart Supercenter and a Lowe?s as anchor stores, with 12 smaller shops and restaurants. The project cost was more than $34 million, and 493 jobs have been created from the anchor stores alone, and estimates of total jobs that will be created are between 600 and 700.

The City of Point Pleasant worked with a committee of veterans to create a park on unused city land to honor residents who are recipients of the Medal of Honor. The project cost was $26,000. The Local Economic Development Assistance Grant Program provided $10,000 and the rest came from the city. Local businesses and 4-H groups also contributed to the project.

In response to business development in its Wharf District, the City of Morgantown improved infrastructure by replacing sanitary and storm sewers along the water line. The city applied for streetscape grants and has used Riverfront Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district funds to further update the area.

Morgantown has replaced sidewalks, moved overhead wires underground and installed vintage street lamps and pedestrian furniture. To date, $700,000 has been spent on the updates, with another $20 million anticipated for a River Center/Public Theater event center, and more through Riverfront TIF proceeds.

The City of Lewisburg felt that written guidelines were needed for renovation within its historic district to avoid confrontations with residents and businesses and to preserve the city?s historic area. With assistance from the State Historic Preservation Office, a grant provided the money for this project, and the Greenbrier County Convention and Visitors Bureau assisted in the publication of the guidelines, saving the city more than $8,000.

Also during the conference, Charleston, W.Va., Mayor Danny Jones was honored as the Mayor of the Year.