| The Town of Grantsville is moving ahead to make a deal for town property to be used for an eatery, Ginos Pizza-Tudors Biscuit World.
Grantsville council gave approval to Mayor Curtis Garretson Monday night to sign a 20-year lease with the company.
"The only hold-up is completing a lease agreement with the WV Department of Highways," Garretson said. The highway department has told the town they will lease the state right-of-way adjacent State Rt. 16, which includes a significant section of the town parking lot.
The restaurant would be using that space for customer parking.
"We're looking to develop other free parking space in the downtown area," he said.
"This is a great deal for the town and the community," the mayor said. The 20-year lease would generate about $300,000 for the town, the business would be paying local taxes, and a number of additional employees will be hired.
Currently the local Ginos Pizza has nine employees, with CEO Oshel Craigo telling council that number could increase to 20.
Mayor Garretson said other ownership issues with the property, referred locally as "The Pit," have already been resolved.
"The Pit" has long been an eyesore since the town's municipal building, which housed the water company and fire department, was razed.
Over a ten year period a number of proposals for the development of the property came and went.
The initial lease of the property is for $800 monthly, which increases $300 a month every five years, with the lease eventually being $1,700 a month. The leasing will commence when the business is opened in 2014.
Mayor Garretson said the restaurant complex will have business hours from early in the morning to late at night and will have two drive-through windows.
"We hope to get the lease with the WV Department of Highways approved soon, and it will be a done deal," Garretson said.
"I think the town and community will be proud to have the business in our community," he concluded.
See related story GRANTSVILLE REACHING DEAL FOR RESTAURANT - Ginos-Tudors Biscuit World Would Occupy "Pit"
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