Grantsville Council looks at plans
After several years of proposals, Grantsville businessman Steve Satterfield got the
nod from the Grantsville Town Council to move ahead with a convenience store on
town hall property near the junction of Rt. 5 and 16.
The store is expected to cost over $750,000 and would hire at least seven people,
Satterfield said.
"I like it because it will generate revenue, jobs and traffic," for the town, said Mayor
Gary Knight.
The agreement calls for Satterfield to build a new town hall for trade. It would be
located at the corner of Main and Turnpike Street (the old Bridge Service Station
site), which would house the town offices and police department.
Building would be wood and brick
Floor plan is subject to change, but would house police and town
offices
The 1,140 square foot brick and wood building would have seven parking spaces off
Main Street, including a handicap ramp. The property is three feet above the 100
year flood plain, according to a map.
Knight advised the Council to consider the motion carefully, indicating it binds the
town to the deal. It allows Satterfield to continue with a study to see if the town site
will have enough space to accommodate his store. If it won't, he has a right to
withdraw his proposal.
Satterfield said it is possible part of the town parking lot could still be maintained
around the construction of his store.
Two members of Council were absent, when members Bonnie Brown and Cheryl
Davis voted to go with Satterfield's proposal. Councilwoman JoAnn Shock
abstained.
Council briefly discussed a proposal made by businessman Jim Morris at last
month's meeting. Morris said he felt options other than Satterfield's proposal should
be considered.
He offered to trade an office building and residence on Court Street for the town
property. Morris said he wanted to build a professional office building on the site,
which would not disturb the town's parking lot.
The Morris property is on the flood plain.
Knight said other "Proposals have been in reaction to word getting out (about
Satterfield's offer)." He said Satterfield has the interest of a businessman, "an
investor, who wants to make the project go."
Knight said he asked an engineer to look at the town buildings a few years ago.
They said "We can't tell what day it will collapse." Town employee Bonnie Bird said
"I like to leave the building alive at the end of the day," after hearing it crack and
shift.
David Barr spoke in behalf of the Satterfield project, saying "If we continue to lose
the town, the county will die."
After the vote, Knight said "I hope this is the beginning of something good for
Grantsville."
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