Historic post office renovation group seeks council ex officio member, says $8.7 million funding gap remains
March 22, 2025 | Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Representatives of the project to restore the Historic Post Office on South High Street asked Morgantown City Council on March 19 to consider appointing an ex officio member to the project’s nonprofit board as the group moves toward construction.
Patrick Kirby, representing the Historic Post Office (HPO) effort, told councilors the nonprofit coalition has raised more than $6 million to date, has secured $1 million in federal FY 2024 funding for design, and has nearly $100,000 in local philanthropic support. Kirby said the group has completed conceptual design work, repaired the roof and upgraded the heating system, and is preparing for construction once it reaches a fundraising milestone.
Kirby said the project’s current funding gap is approximately $8,700,000 and that the group will remain in a “quiet phase” of fundraising until it secures about 60% of the total needed. He described historic tax-credit work and multiple grant applications as part of the funding strategy and asked council to consider providing an ex officio seat so a city representative can “hear what’s going on on a regular basis, as well as navigate some things that we have to just to get to the finish line.”
The presentation highlighted the building’s role as a downtown arts and history hub, housing the Morgantown History Museum and artists’ studios. Kirby said the restored facility would support year-round arts programming, museum exhibits and partnerships with local schools and businesses.
Mark Downs, a former Main Street president who spoke during public comment, urged council support and said the HPO “played a huge part” in previous downtown revitalization work and would be “critical to revitalization.”
Council members asked logistical questions about the board’s meeting schedule and time commitment; project staff said board meetings occur every other Friday at 8 a.m. Kirby said the group hopes to begin construction within roughly a year if fundraising proceeds as planned.
Ending: Council did not take an immediate vote on the ex officio request at the March 19 meeting; staff asked for time to review the request and the nonprofit’s bylaws.
Patrick Kirby, representing the Historic Post Office (HPO) effort, told councilors the nonprofit coalition has raised more than $6 million to date, has secured $1 million in federal FY 2024 funding for design, and has nearly $100,000 in local philanthropic support. Kirby said the group has completed conceptual design work, repaired the roof and upgraded the heating system, and is preparing for construction once it reaches a fundraising milestone.
Kirby said the project’s current funding gap is approximately $8,700,000 and that the group will remain in a “quiet phase” of fundraising until it secures about 60% of the total needed. He described historic tax-credit work and multiple grant applications as part of the funding strategy and asked council to consider providing an ex officio seat so a city representative can “hear what’s going on on a regular basis, as well as navigate some things that we have to just to get to the finish line.”
The presentation highlighted the building’s role as a downtown arts and history hub, housing the Morgantown History Museum and artists’ studios. Kirby said the restored facility would support year-round arts programming, museum exhibits and partnerships with local schools and businesses.
Mark Downs, a former Main Street president who spoke during public comment, urged council support and said the HPO “played a huge part” in previous downtown revitalization work and would be “critical to revitalization.”
Council members asked logistical questions about the board’s meeting schedule and time commitment; project staff said board meetings occur every other Friday at 8 a.m. Kirby said the group hopes to begin construction within roughly a year if fundraising proceeds as planned.
Ending: Council did not take an immediate vote on the ex officio request at the March 19 meeting; staff asked for time to review the request and the nonprofit’s bylaws.
View full meeting
This article is based on a recent meeting—watch the full video and explore the complete transcript for deeper insights into the discussion.
View full meeting