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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Through the Congressionally Directed Spending from the offices of Senators Joseph Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito the Historic Morgantown Post Office Building, Inc. (HPO), will receive $1,000,000. The total cost of renovation of the 110-year-old building is estimated at $10 million.
Last summer, some emergency repairs were made by Sutter Roofing & Metal Co., Arch Masonry & Restoration, and the HE Neuman Company to prevent further weather-related damage.
“We have saved the building from deterioration by replacing the roof and repairing the water leaks along with the masonry at the top of the building,” Cardi said.
Building infrastructure is the next immediate priority for the restoration project. Cardi said the current HVAC system would not support indoor events in the winter.
“Updated heating, air conditioning, and electrical—all the mechanical aspects of an old building,” Cardi said.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to raise $200,000 for the indoor renovation plans from Somerset, Pennsylvania-based Landmarks SGA, LLC. According to Cardi, once the plans are complete, they’ll be able to provide that vision to the community.
“Those final plans will get us to the point where we can apply for historic tax credits and new market tax credits so we can go forward with fundraising and the rest of the project,” Cardi said.
The building is the current home for Your Community Foundation (YCF), the Morgantown History Museum, and the Monongalia Arts Center (MAC). But Cardi hopes the building will become a destination for the arts that will enhance downtown Morgantown.
“We just really want to see support from the arts community because we think this building will once again become an art center for other art groups in the county to use,” Cardi said.
