News Flash

City of Fairmont officials broke ground on the long-awaited construction of Norwood Park, which will be the state’s first universal accessibility park when completed.

The project that began as idea in 2017 is now coming to life with over $2.5 million in funding sourced from American Rescue Plan dollars, TIF Funds and local donations along with a property donation from Novelis Aluminum.

“This will be the first park in the state of West Virginia that will be universally accessible. No other park in its entirety has been designed so that every feature and location is for people of all degrees of mobility, ability, and needs,” Fairmont Planning Director Shae Strait said. “Fairmont is proud to be the first and hopes to inspire other communities across the state to do more universally accessible design.”

Fairmont’s Disability Action Center has been integral to the planning of this park. Clients of the DAC joined with Fairmont officials to break ground on Thursday morning and the organization’s excitement is summarized by its director, Julie Sole.

“To say that this day has been worth the wait is a huge understatement. From the very early planning stages in 2017 to the official announcement in 2019, all the planning, research, design, funding initiatives and waiting that has happened since that time is all worth it to see this project come to fruition,” Sole said. “This project has focused on inclusion from the very onset. It is more than just an accessible playground or adaptive piece of equipment, it’s giving people of all ages and abilities the space and opportunity to move, learn, communicate, and play together in one universally accessible space.”

Sole also serves as a member of Fairmont City Council, but the park rests in the Council District of Mayor Anne Bolyard, who has been anxiously awaiting this ceremony since the first announcements.

“Norwood Park will be an important part of our city,” Bolyard said. “This is not just a park or playground. It will bring families and people together as a place that shows our commitment to the importance of inclusion in everyday activities for all abilities and multiple generations.”

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Following the approval of a long-awaited parcel donation from local manufacturer Novelis, the City of Fairmont will put the construction of Norwood Park out to bid.

“Even though the whole project has taken longer than anticipated, we believe this will result in the best possible park improvements we could’ve planned for that location,” Director of Planning Shae Strait said. “We couldn’t be more excited to be getting this underway.”

The 1.5-acre universal accessibility park has been in planning since 2019 and has received the greenlight from Fairmont City Council to receive over $3 million in funding for its construction. The funding will be sourced from Tax Increment Funds, American Rescue Plan funds and $80,000 in from private donations – $75,000 from Novelis and $5,000 from the Disability Action Center.

“To truly be the ‘Friendly City’ we have to provide spaces that allow families to be together. This wouldn’t have been possible without this generous donation from Novelis,” Fairmont Mayor Anne Bolyard. “This project has been five years in the making and to see this vision for our community come to life is exactly what we’ve all been waiting for.”

If all goes according to plan with this bid process, construction will hopefully begin later this summer, with the park being fully open just in time for next year’s park season.

The park will be a one-of-a-kind recreation opportunity for families around the state. The park has been planned with accessibility in mind from the beginning. Input sessions with the public, collaborations from local agencies and a fully customized design all have paired to manifest a totally unique park that will be a first in the state of West Virginia.

“We want to be leading West Virginia with our efforts and show communities around the state how things should be done,” City Manager Travis Blosser said. “I’m ecstatic to see shovels going into the ground and for us to have the opportunity to show the citizens the fruits of our labor on such a big project is really exciting.”

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Wednesday evening, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Patrick Wilson granted the City of Fairmont right-of-entry to the former Box Factory property. The full eminent domain process is still underway to grant the City full, official ownership.

Following this order, City Staff are moving forward to conduct environmental assessments of the property while demolition plans are finalized.

“The City is now doing all the necessary work to prepare for the demolition of the building. We can’t move forward with building any recreation facilities on that site until that building is down,” Director of Planning Shae Strait said. “While that planning is taking place, we will be organizing public input sessions to plan for, not only the Rail Trail, but also plan for future recreational development in the adjacent properties.”

The initial court hearing took place last week, but this official order was delivered Wednesday just before close-of-business. Fairmont City Council voted to proceed with the eminent domain process last November. The property is a key component in the City’s plans for the West Fork Rail Trail Extension and the former factory facility will be demolished.

The City has already moved forward with several purchases of surrounding parcels and properties in the Beltline Neighborhood. As the concepts and plans show, this property will act as the trail head for this new span of trail.

“These Rail Trail plans have been talked about for years and these recreation opportunities that could happen in the Beltline Neighborhood are significant,” City Manager Travis Blosser said. “This acquisition is paramount to enhancing the aesthetics of the trail and amenities we can offer to the public that will take advantage of these spaces once completed.”

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Tuesday afternoon, City of Fairmont leaders voiced their excitement over the acquisition of the former Novelis facility by Kibar Americas.

One year ago, in March 2025, the announcement detailing the closure of Novelis’s Fairmont facility shook City officials and rocked the community. The closure resulted in the loss of around 200 jobs and threatened the stability of many Marion County families.

Since the closure took root, work has been ongoing behind the scenes, and the City has done its part to ensure this location remains an appealing destination for another company to acquire this facility. Kibar Americas, a company that specializes in flat-rolled aluminum, which this facility has previously produced, has seen that effort.

“We believe this purchase is a testament to the attractiveness of the workforce and infrastructure here in Fairmont, specifically when it comes to this facility,” City Manager Travis L. Blosser said. “As a City, we’re committed to making strategic investments that encourage and support players like Kibar Americas to have a stake in our community. We’re excited to welcome them to Fairmont.”

Many of these strategic investments have been completed by the City, while others, like road improvements, electricity infrastructure upgrades and housing developments, were achieved through City-led partnerships that have been fostered and grown over the last several years.

“News like this only happens when we have a comprehensive approach to economic development. It is essential that we continue to foster and improve our regional economic development efforts, but that requires buy-in from all the parties involved – whether they be Mon Power, West Virginia Division of Highways, or our local developers.” Blosser said. “These partnerships are what corporations look for, and I’m proud to say that we call these partners valuable members of Team Fairmont.”

“Our residents have proven their resiliency time and time again, and in this circumstance, I’m positive that resiliency is what made this deal attractive,” Mayor Anne E. Bolyard said. “My statement from a year ago remains true: now, more than ever, we must band together, continue our investments in our community, and charge full speed ahead.”

Click here to view the release by Kibar Americas

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — With the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, the City of Fairmont was officially awarded $1.5 million in Congressionally Directed Spending dollars.

“I want to thank Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Jim Justice, and Congressman Riley Moore for their support in these requests. These federal dollars returning to the citizens of Fairmont will deliver critical improvements to local businesses and to our fire protection services,” City Manager Travis Blosser said. “This allocation is just the start of our aggressive strategy to seek federal contributions to projects that make a difference in the lives of our citizens.”

$1 million of the funds will be used in major renovations to the Watson Fire Substation on Mary Lou Retton Drive.

“The Watson Fire Substation was officially opened in 1980, and it hasn’t received a lot of attention since. It needs some serious renovations,” Fire Chief Brian Starn said. “Our firefighters deserve the best, and we want all our facilities to be at the level of our new East Side Station that opened in 2022. With this grant, that becomes much more doable.”

This allocation was made possible by the support and partnership of Senator Capito and Congressman Moore.

“Securing real wins for West Virginians is my top priority. I am proud to share that I was able to secure $1 million in Community Project Funding dollars for the City of Fairmont’s Watson Fire Substation. Mountaineers deserve to know that when they call 9-1-1, first responders have everything they need to answer the call.” Congressman Riley M. Moore said. “These critical investments in the Watson Fire Substation will make Fairmont safer and deliver on my promise to always put West Virginia first.”

“I am thrilled that, with President Trump’s signing of the recent appropriations package into law, the City of Fairmont will receive funding to renovate the Watson Fire Station,” Senator Shelley Moore Capito said. “This investment will deliver long-overdue upgrades and ensure our firefighters have the modern facilities and equipment they need to serve the community safely and efficiently.”

The total renovation project is expected to cost around $3 million, with the remainder of the cost to be shouldered by the City.

The remaining $500,000 – which was allocated thanks to support from Senator Justice – will be used to fund another round of the City-sponsored façade grant program. The details are still under discussion, but the grant will function similarly to the façade grant program the City ran in 2024, using funding from the American Rescue Plan. It is expected that the funds will be used to grant $100,000 per year for five years.

Businesses that apply can seek funding to repair the façade of their building, repair entryways, or seek to make accessibility upgrades to their entrance or the sidewalk outside of their storefront. More details will be released on this opportunity soon.

“This federal funding will help us facilitate a grant opportunity that will make a big difference to our small business owners across the city,” Director of Planning & Development Shae Strait said. “Funds like these will be especially impactful for businesses in older buildings that may need some updates to accessibility or just a facelift to their entryway. It’s our goal to provide opportunities to make Fairmont a beautiful, welcoming and accessible community for all our residents.”

FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Due to the untimely passing City Councilmember Chuck Warner on January 18, 2026, letters of interest and/or resumes will be received by the City Clerk of the City of Fairmont between 8:30 a.m. on Friday, January 23, 2026 and 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from persons seeking appointment to the Council for the City of Fairmont from the 5^th District for a term ending until the cavass is completed and Confirmed by Order after the November 3, 2026 election.

To be eligible for appointment, such individuals must be a qualified, registered voter of the City of Fairmont and must reside in the 5th District of the City of Fairmont at the time of submitting their letter of interest and/or resume and while serving in office.

The 5^th District includes 1^st Street, 2^nd Street, 3^rd Street, 4^th Street, portions of View Avenue, Spruce Street, Spring Street, the area from Pennsylvania Avenue to High Street, the Cleveland Avenue area, the Sterling Heights area, and Locust Avenue to Field Street.

A full version of the Council District Map is also referenced on the City’s website at: www.fairmontwv.gov/CouncilDistricts.

All such letters of interest and/or resumes must be received by Janet Keller, City Clerk, Third Floor, Room 312, 200 Jackson Street, (J. Harper Meredith Building), Fairmont, Marion County, West Virginia, by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.  Letters of interest and/or resumes received after 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, will not be considered.

For additional information or questions, please contact Janet Keller, City Clerk, at 304-366-6211, ext. 329, or email at jkeller@fairmontwv.gov.