Morgantown, West Virginia

Project Overview

Project Overview

Morgantown is recognized as one of the top-ten best small cities in America based on its health care, recreation, education and cultural facilities. In recent years however, the detriorating physical condition and worn-out appearance of High Street in the downtown district has had an increasingly adverse impact on economic development and quality of life in the community, and on enrollment and campus life at the nearby West Virginia University.

Recognizing the need to address the deterioration and revitalize the four-block High Street corridor, the City of Morgantown engaged EG&G, Inc. to design and implement comprehensive street corridor capital improvements and streetscape enhancements. Working closely with city and university officials, High Street merchants, and Downtown Morgantown, Inc., EG&G, Inc. prepared design and construction plans for a broad-range of improvements and enhancements including utility modifications, burial of overhead wires, new concrete sidewalks with brick inlays, handicap accessible ramps, historic-style streetlights, landscaping and furnishings.

The attractive, welcoming and pedestrian-oriented environment established along High Street by the project has helped downtown Morgantown to remain economicall vibrant and a focal area for the community. Subsequently, property owners and merchants are working with the City to improve additional downtown streets consistent with design standards established by the High Street project.

Financing

Community Response

Community Response

“The High Street improvement project has made downtown more attractive to business investment and strengthened the downtown-campus connection,” says Assistant City Manager Jeff Mikorski. “We look forward to the day when all downtown streets are improved as well as High Street has been.”

"Before" Photos

"Before" Photos

Morgantown "Before" photos