About WHTF

ABOUT WHTF

The Weston Hospital Task Force was created by

Executive Order in October 2000. Members of the Task Force include representatives from the Governor’s Office; the Department of Health and Human Resources; the West Virginia Division of Culture and History (State Historic Preservation Office); West Virginia Division of Tourism; the West Virginia Development Office; and four members of the Weston Hospital Revitalization Committee.  The WHTF provides the leadership for redevelopment of Weston Hospital while managing the Save America’s Treasures Grant.

Accomplishments include: 

In December 2002, the WHTF released new criteria for the submission of proposals for adaptive reuse of all or a part of the former mental hospital. The criteria required potential developers to submit the nature of their potential reuse, development costs and marketing facts, job creation, and financial strategy. Proposals were to be reviewed and evaluated for integrity, feasibility, and impact on the community using a point system for rating and oral presentations of the most promising concepts were to be scheduled in January 2004. Initial deadline for submission of proposals was June 30, 2003, with all requested information required by September 30, 2003. To date no proposals have been submitted although one developer has asked for an extension of the deadline until the completion of the Feasibility Study now (Fall 2003) being commissioned by the WHTF is completed. The extension was granted. Click Here for the Adaptive Reuse Proposal Criteria.

In Spring 2003, after an eighteen month search, the WHTF employed the architectural and engineering firm of URS Corporation, Charleston, WV, to visually assess the general condition of the facility and its building systems, assess the nature and cause of progressive deterioration, and to develop a “mothballing” plan with the objective of making the building sound and watertight for the near future while a plan of adaptive reuse is developed. This report should be completed by the end of December 2003. Thereafter the WHTF will address the most pressing repairs and any budgetary constraints. It is hoped that top priority items can be addressed during the 2004 construction season.

In December 2003, the WHTF announced the selection of McKinley & Associates/Economics Research Associates to conduct a feasibility study for marketing and developing Weston Hospital. The selected firms will begin work in January 2004.