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Upper Falls Development

Becoming a vibrant community, focused around an active local school, with access to jobs, retail markets, recreation and entertainment

Inhibitor

I. A community with a population of little more than 1000 residents has no political credibility.
    A. Decision makers ignore our needs.
    B. We pay for government services we do not receive.
      1. This creates resentment toward those who take our taxes and fail to provide benefits.

Solution

I. Would you like to live in a better community?
    A. We have the opportunity to dramatically increase our official population base by five times, through much larger census boundaries for the 2010 census.
      1. Our ability to obtain public funding for community infrastructure improvements would increase dramatically!
      2. All of our goals depend on creating a larger census designated place with a multiple of our current population.

School District Shift

I. The closing of Fairview Elementary School resulted in the transfer of those students to Andrews Heights Elementary School.
A. Families who previously identified with Saint Albans, but now send their children to our school, now identify with our community.

Opportunities

Economic Development

I. Upper Falls can be an incredibly inviting place for businesses to locate and grow, while serving our community and the greater area.
II. Emphasize Upper Falls as a crossroads for the metro valley.
    A. We believe the population and income of the greater community provides the firm foundation for a local economy.
    B. We further believe Upper Falls could be made a prime retail destination.
      1. Our streets are already used as a shortcut by residents of Putnam County to access the massive shopping district on US Route 119.
      2. We should exploit our location and physical features to offer attractive, differentiated shopping experiences.
III. Build a business tax base.
    A. Provide matching funds for county, state and federal grants to fund infrastructure improvements.
IV. Enhance lifestyle.
    A. Create proximal availability of goods and services.
      1. Increase variety.
V. Improve economic opportunities.
    A. For entrepreneurs.
    B. For workers.
    C. For adjunct enterprises.
VI. We have identified these vertical segments as possible targets for immediate acquisition.
    A. Changes in mail delivery routes could produce growth of the postal operation here, adding postal service jobs.
    B. A regional department store chain headquartered here in Appalachia.
    C. A convenience store chain headquartered here in West Virginia.
    D. A family restaurant.
    E. Broadcast media.
      1. Upper Falls is precisely centered in the metro valley! (That's why NTELOS built their tower here.)
      2. Satellite uplinks are easily licensed for operation in Upper Falls.
    F. Specialty media services.
    G. Radio common carrier products and services.
    H. Summer camp.
    I. River recreation sales and rentals.
    J. Bed and breakfast, and other hospitality.
    K. Catering and baking.
    L. Auction house.
    M. Financial institution branch office.
    N. Light manufacturing.
    O. Distribution.
    P. Storage.
    Q. General Contractors.
    R. Home Improvement Specialists.
    S. Health care services.
    T. Nurseries and greenhouses.
    U. Landscaping.
    V. Mobile installation and repair services.
    W. Hair salon.
    X. Day spa.
    Y. Accounting and bookkeeping.
    Z. Consulting.
    AA. Event and occasion specialists.
    BB. Web, interior, commercial and industrial design.
    CC. Graphic arts.
    DD. Photography.
    EE. Independent artists, artisans and craftsmen.
    FF. Filmmakers.
      1. Upper Falls has already been a location for the production of three feature films!
        a. Heroes of the Heart (1996)
        b. Invasion of the Space Preachers (1990)
        c. Chillers (1988)

Infrastructure Improvement

Install Proper Drainage

I. Provide for the drainage of surface water from all areas of the community.
    A. Correct related health hazards at the elementary school.
      1. Remedy the "black mud" adjacent to the elementary school playground caused by standing sewage.
      2. Eliminate the hazard represented by the open sewer running in front of the elementary school.
        a. Residents have their septic tank overflows running into this sewer.
      3. The situation is like something found in the third world!
    B. Drain surface water that stands on residential lawns after it rains.
      1. Eliminate habitat that allows mosquitos to breed. (No wetlands are involved.)

Bury Overhead Utilities

I. Enhance the attractiveness of Upper Falls by burying all unsightly overhead public utilities.
II. Encompass the area from before Falls Creek Road, to the golf course, to beyond the Coal River bridge.

Build Proper Streets

I. Improve the safety and convenience of residents by constructing all concrete streets.
    A. Must easily facilitate two-way traffic.
    B. Provide ample parking.
II. Build proper sidewalks on all streets.
    A. Ensure safe pedestrian access throughout the community.
III. Build streets at a minimum elevation that provides immunity from flooding.
    A. Particularly the western end of Second Avenue.
    B. Construct a new bridge and connectors at Falls Creek.
      1. Adequate to easily accommodate flood runoff from the watershed.

Community

Health and safety

I. Continuously improve the fire department and emergency response capabilities!
A. By expanding our Census boundaries, a unique opportunity exists to enhance the ability of all area fire departments to improve funding levels.

Quality of life

I. Enhance recreational opportunities for youth.
A. Work with the Kanawha County Parks and Recreation Commission to develop Meadowood Park.
II. Build a community center.
A. Provide senior services in cooperation with Kanawha Valley Senior Services.

Disclaimer

It must be emphasized that no one with this organization wants to do anything that would increase the living expenses of residents of the community.

Upper Falls