The property, known as Fort Boreman Hill, is situated across the Little Kanawha River from downtown Parkersburg. The site was leveled in connection with the construction of a four-lane extension of U.S. 50 through the city. The Wood County Development Authority voted to proceed with an option to purchase the land for $4 million from McDonough Corp.

WCDA President Keith Burdette said the property has tremendous potential, but he remains cautious because no significant grants have been secured to subsidize the project. However, the Fairmont-based Vandalia Foundation will be involved as a lead partner and project manager.

“This is a highly developable site with an interchange off of a four-lane highway that’s within walking distance to downtown Parkersburg,” Burdette said. “There are not many sites like that in West Virginia.”

He said the site ideally would become the home of a new Army National Guard armory/civic center facility, retail development and, possibly, a baseball stadium.

“It’s pretty early, but this is an opportunity to create a destination location in Parkersburg for entertainment and shopping,” he said.

Burdette said the National Guard has been looking into replacing its Parkersburg armory. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., included $2 million in his 2010 appropriations requests to plan and design a repair and maintenance facility and a readiness center.

Burdette said the city of Parkersburg, Wood County Commission and Mid-Ohio Valley Regional Council have partnered to begin preliminary studies, including infrastructure needs. Thrasher Engineering of Clarksburg will conduct that work.

“We do not want to proceed in a haphazard fashion,” he said. “We don’t have the resources that other folks have had, and I don’t want to build false expectations. We’re going to have to be creative.”