Steady Growth for a Solid Future

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Huntington, West Virginia: r

Steady Growth For A Solid Future.

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1871-1996: Our 125th Year

Comprehensive Plan • City of Huntington, WV

Comprehensive Plan City of Huntington, West Virginia

Approved by City Council May 13, 1996

A.

Law Enforcement

The City of Huntington and Cabell County are collaborating to construct an integrated law enforcement building. The City-County Building will house the Huntington Police Department, courtrooms for County magistrates and Municipal Court. Other entities might also be located here.

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In 1994, a $30,000 grant was received from the State Justice Institute which was matched with an additional $35,000 from the City ofHuntington and Cabell County. The funds were used to procure a consultant to work with the committee to design a plan for the law enforcement building.

Additionally, the funds were used for architectural services for the site selection, and preliminary design of the building. The site selected is the Stanard Building on the northwest corner of 7th Avenue and 10th Street. Improvements to this site are part of the proposed redevelopment of the 900 and 1000 Blocks of 7th Avenue as recommended by the 7th Avenue Redevelopment Plan.

In 1992, the City of Huntington took steps towards proactive policing by establishing a full-time community police officer in the Fairfieldneighborhood, the highest crime area within the City. The primaryresponsibility for the community police officer was public and community relations. The program proved to be successful and in August, 1994, two officers were added as a foot patrol.

Officers are responsible for improving community relations, patrolling the neighborhood, and making arrests.

Boundaries for the program extend from Eighth Avenue to Charleston Avenue and Hal Greer Boulevard to Twentieth Street. Since the areais within a low- to moderate-income census tract, the community policing program is funded with Community Development Block Grant funds.

Accordingto program leaders, community policing will be expanded within a year into the Peyton neighborhood. If funding becomes available, the program will also be considered for other high crime areas in Huntington.

Besides the foot patrol, the Huntington Police Department has also established bicycle patrols.

Bicycles allow police officersmore mobility and the ability to cover a largerareawhile maintaining the "one on one" relationship with residents of the neighborhood. p^l

B.

Fire Protection

Huntington staffs five fire stations which provide adequate service to the residents and businesses of the City. As rated by the Insurance Service Organization (ISO), Huntington is a Class 3 city .

The ISO rates cities on a scale of one to ten. With only six cities in the country rated one and none rated two, the Class 3 rating indicates an excellence in fire service. Since the last rating by the ISO in 1976, the City has closed two fire stationswhich resulted in the loss of three engine companies.

Furthermore, the authorized force is 116 persons, down from 154 in 1976. Although Huntington's population has decreased sincethe last rating, the service area has substantially increased due to the annexation of Interstate 64 and parts of U.S. Route 60 and State Routes 10 and 152. f$$ÂŁ\

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City ofHuntington Comprehensive Plan

While it is not known how the City would fare if a new ISO rating were to occur, there is a possibility that Huntington could berated aClass 4 or 5 city. While this would have no effectupon residential insurance rates, it would affect commercial and industrial rates. The City should, therefore seekto maintain the existing authorized force. Additionally, the antiquated equipmentstill in use at a number of the stations should be replaced, specifically, the 1963 and 1964 model pumpers, 1969 snorkel aerial, and the 1976rescueunits. pw<

The St. Cloud fire stationat 14th StreetWest andMadison Avenue is inadequate. The building was

originally part of the town hall for Central City and was constructed to house horse drawn fire apparatus. The horse drawn equipment was considerably smaller than modern motorized equipment. The building's small size completely eliminates the possibility of an aerial truck which is needed forthe St. Cloud district. Additionally, traffic patterns and the location of the fire station are not conducive to a safe and expedient response of fire apparatus The estimated cost for replacing the St. Cloud fire station is $757,000.

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The Old Central City RedevelopmentPlan envisions placingthe new St. Cloud fire station on the corner of Jackson Avenue. Additional potential locations include the former service station with the adjoining vacant parcel located across the street from the present station, the Jefferson School property, and the Park Board maintenance facility on James River Road. Using the service station locationwould remove a blighted structure. Regardlessof the final choice, considering the station's historicties to 14th Street West, every effort should be made to construct the new station within the general vicinity ofthe present station. The Old Central City Redevelopment Plan also calls for the conversion of the present station into a museum for exhibiting historic memorabilia from Central City.

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In emergencies involving hazardous materials, the Huntington FireDepartment(HFD) does not have an adequately trained response team for most situations. Instead, the HFD must rely on outside sources to handlethe emergencies. Each year some training is provided by INCO who provides 20 training slots in their safety training program. The HFD does not have suits and equipment for emergencies involving hazardous materials. |Âť3Âť

An additional need of the HFD is for an underwater rescue team. A new rescue boat was recently provided by the Huntington Rotary Club, and several fire fighters are undergoing scuba training.

As Huntington seeks to increase recreational activities along the riverfront, the need for a well trainedunderwater rescue team will increase. The HFD should therefore continue to develop this program and train fire fighters to serve in this capacity.

C.

Education

In 1990, the Cabell County Board ofEducation completed a Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan. An update of the Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan was approved in 1993. The plan recognized that the existing schools in Cabell County are inadequate, with most being constructed before 1940. An additional factor was the continuing decline in student population.

The declining student population was projected to continue through the 1990's before leveling off

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City ofHuntington Comprehensive Plan

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Guyandotte Altizer

Southeast Hills Peyton Highlawn University

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3) 4) 5) 6)

Fairfield Southside

9) Central Business District 10) Central City 11) Westmoreland

7) 8)

Planning Units

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Huntington Neighborhoods

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Appendix Aofthe City ofHuntington Comprehensive Plan provides a description of each ofthe neighborhoods. Each neighborhood is described and analyzed interms ofits land use, housing stock including type and quality of the housing stock, traffic and circulation concerns, and community services located within the neighborhood. Information that is included in Appendix A was derived by field observation completed by the City's Department ofPlanning from January to March 1994, U.S. Census information, and most importantly, from meetings held in the neighborhoods during February 1994 and supplemented with data collected as part of a Residents' Survey also completed during February 1994. The collected information is used to derive goals and objectives for the neighborhood and derive planning policy in agreement with the goals and objectives. â&#x20AC;˘$$)

A series of maps complementing the narrative was prepared for each neighborhood documenting its landuse, the structural conditions of its housing, and the neighborhood's assets and constraints.

A final mapwas prepared for each neighborhood identifying the land use plan for the neighborhood as proposed by the City ofHuntington Comprehensive Plan.

1.

Guyandotte Neighborhood - Census Tract 2,1990

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Population Age 65 and over (%) Age 18 and under (%) Housing Units - Total One unit, detached or attached

In buildings with 2 to 4 units In buildings with 5 or more units Mobile homes and other

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Completed prior to 1940 Completed after April 1,1980 Occupied Housing Units Owner-occupied (%) Median value

Median gross rent IjfflRl

Median Household Income

Persons Below Poverty (%)

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2,961 21.1 24.1

1,492 1,065 172 175 80

607

146

1,308 59.6

32,300 239

12,083 34.2

Chartered as a town in 1810 and annexed by the City of Huntington in 1911, the Guyandotte neighborhood is one ofHuntington's oldest and historically significant neighborhoods. Located in the northeast portionofHuntington, Guyandotte is bound on the north by the Ohio River and on the west by the Guyandotte River. To the south, the neighborhood is bordered by the CSX railroad tracks. Rugged terrain comprises the southeast boundarywith steep slopes limiting development to the Ohio River plain.

Originally, Guyandotte prospered as a junction and transfer point on the Ohio River. The Civil War, however, brought turmoil to the town with split allegiances among the town's residents. In 1861, two-thirds of the town was burned by Union volunteers during a confederate raid on Guyandotte.

Some structures were saved and are being renovated and restored. Structures being renovated include the Madie Carroll House, which is on Guyandotte Street. The Madie Carroll House, built in the early 1800's, is the oldest structure in the City of Huntington and is the only house in Guyandotte that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A historic district has been identified in the older portion of Guyandotte. The historic district is roughly bounded by the Ohio

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City ofHuntington Comprehensive Plan

1. Housing and Human Services

Habitat for Humanity, Huntington Area, Inc. PO Box 2526

Huntington, WV 25726-2526 Telephone 523-4822 Build simple, energy efficient, easily maintained homes provide for resale to low- and moderate-income households.

Fairfield East Community Center 2711 8th Avenue

Huntington, WV 25703 Telephone 696-4467 Nutrition program for elderly, variety of sports, recreational, vocational programs, and some health services.

Fairfield West Community Service Center 1682 11th Avenue

Huntington, WV 25701 Telephone 523-2351 Varied recreational, community services and classes, mostly for elderly.

Community Service Roundtable 455 Ninth Street

Huntington, WV 25701 Telephone 522-4721 Voluntary association of human service agencies and individuals interested in services.

Cabell-Huntington Coalition for the Homeless, Inc. 627 4th Avenue

Huntington, WV 25701 Telephone 523-2764 Develop long- and short-range housing options and coordinate and enhance coalitions and service between and among social service and healthorganizations.

Huntington City Mission PO Box 3

Huntington, WV 25706

Telephone 523-0293

Food and lodging for transients and families. Employment assistance, counseling, support services.

Huntington Housing Authority PO Box 2183

Huntington, WV 25722

Telephone 526-4400

Low-income housing assistance.

Information and Referral Service, Inc. 455 Ninth Street

Huntington, WV 25701 Telephone 529-2600 Crisis intervention under contract with West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. Clearinghouse for emergency assistance programs.

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CityofHuntington Comprehensive Plan

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Prestera Center for Mental Health Services, Inc. PO Box 8069

Huntington, WV 25705 _

Telephone 525-7851

Provides varied health and human services.

2. Economic Development

Chamber of Commerce, Huntington Regional PO Box 1509

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Huntington, WV 25716 Telephone 525-5131 Represents business and professional individuals. Ensures representation on state and federal legislation. Promotes business and prospective residents and businesses. Publishes community

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profile, economic profile, club and organization presidents list, local manufacturers directory.

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Marshall University Research and Economic Development Center 1050 Fourth Avenue

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Huntington, WV 25755-2120

Telephone 696-6797

Provides technical assistance, technology transfer, procurement basic and applied research.

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Includes institute for Regional Development that provides education and training services

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utilizing existing resources, small business development, research such as marketing studies, feasibihty plans and analysis. Also the Robert C. Byrd Institute that assists area manufacturers learn and implement flexible computer integrated technologies through classes, machinery

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timeshare and use of CAD and CAM software.

3. Historic Resources

Huntington Historic Preservation Commission City Hall

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P.O. Box 1659

Huntington, WV 25717

Telephone 696-4438

Huntington Main Street $$*

404 9th Street

Suite 202

Huntington, WV 25701

4. Planning Agencies

City of Huntington Planning Commission City Hall PO Box 1659

Huntington, WV

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Telephone 696-4438

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City ofHuntington Comprehensive Plan

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City of Huntington Department of Community Development City Hall PO Box 1659

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Huntington, WV

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KYOVA Interstate Planning Commission/Region II Planning and Development Council PO Box 939

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Huntington, WV 25712

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KYOVA - Technical assistance for transportation projects. Acts as designated clearinghouse review agency for all projects using federal funds.

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Region II - Formulate comprehensive plans establishing regional goals; ranking local projects to meet goals. Technical assistance to agencies seeking federal or state funds for local projects.

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Review applications for federal funds to prevent duplications.

Telephone 696-4486

Telephone 523-7434 (KYOVA); 529-3357 (Region H)

5. Other

Greater Huntington Parks and Recreation District PO Box 9361

Huntington, WV 25704-0361 Telephone 696-5954 Own and operate parks throughout the City of Huntington.

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Cabell County Offices Cabell County Courthouse Eighth Street and Fifth Avenue Huntington, WV 25701

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Cabell County Board of Education PO Box 446

Huntington, WV 25709 528-5000

Wayne County Offices Wayne County Courthouse Wayne, WV 25570

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City ofHuntington Comprehensive Plan