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Bluefieldnews.net
For HNN by Art Harvath
Chi Chi’s again was the topic of discussion at a hastily called news conference by the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority Friday morning at the former Mountain State Outfitters in downtown Huntington. David Harrington, treasurer of HURA, described the conference as an update/status report.
Among the people attending the meeting were Huntington mayor David Felinton and councilmen B.W. Ellis and Tom McCallister.
“Seven years ago we put together a modified plan to be a master plan for what we envisioned the superblock to be,” said Ron Smith, chairman of HURA. “Out of that plan we see that the Holiday Inn Suites Hotel is there, and now we have the final component.”
Smith described the final component as including the TTA parking facility and the entertainment/retail complex that Metropolitan Partners will put together.
On February 19th HURA accepted the TTA-Metropolitan Partners’s plan for the Pullman Square project, making them the preferred developers for the project.
“In the process and where we are right now, we are working on the language of those agreements between the two redevelopers,” Smith said. “I’m told that probably within the next seven days we will have those contract agreements drawn up and finished to come before the Authority.”
After HURA approves the contracts they must get the city council’s permission to begin the Pullman Square development.
Concerning Chi Chi’s, Smith said that “ideally it would be if Chi Chi’s could remain right where they are, but this development comes all the way up to 3rd avenue, it cannot be built around Chi Chi’s.”
“It also envisions to have a second floor on it which there will be office space, something that will enhance downtown even more,” added Smith. “Unfortunately it’s not possible for us to build around Chi Chi’s, but we want to integrate them into the project.”
Harrington read a letter sent recently by HURA to Chi Chi’s. HURA is offering $975,000 for the property and $200,000 to assist the restaurant in relocating to any site within the city limits of Huntington. HURA asked for a response within five business days from receipt of the offer. The letter was mailed Thursday on over night delivery, but the offer was given to Chi Chi’s by phone on Tuesday.
The letter went on to say that it was in the interest of each party’s interest to come to a negotiated settlement rather than to “pursue the matter in the courts of West Virginia.” The letter ended with HURA saying it was their sincere desire (HURA’s) to see Chi Chi’s remain in Huntington. It was signed by HURA treasurer David Harrington.
Pullman Picture Page by Cyndi McReynolds
