SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The City of South Charleston will celebrate its 100th anniversary Wednesday.
Events are scheduled in the city all day. City officials will cut the birthday cake on the mound in South Charleston at 12 p.m.
Residents are then welcome to join officials at City Hall where a 100 year time capsule will be sealed at 1:30 p.m.
The city is also planning to issue a special U.S. postage stamp in honor of the city’s centennial celebration.
Activities have been held across town since the start of the new year. Wednesday officially marks the day South Charleston was formed 100 years ago.
“It’s a good time for us to reflect back on the history on where we’ve been to where we’re at, but I think more so, I’m a guy that likes to look toward the future,” Mullens said. “I think where we’re going is in a great place.”
One of the city’s biggest accomplishments in recent years had been the process of creating a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in the city, Mullens said.
“I’ve called it a game changer before and I think it is,” he said. “With the new Jefferson Road, us teaming up with the state of West Virginia and the private developer to develop a splash pond and a new shopping center, it secures South Charleston’s financial stability for many years to come.”
Mullens said more than $300 million worth of construction projects are planned over the next several years.
South Charleston has been able to diversify its economy, too, Mullens said. The city doesn’t depend so much on the chemical industry like it used to.
“That was our number one savior was the chemical industry. We’ve had, like most small cities, have had a decline in manufacturing over the years. We’ve been going through a transition period. We’ve had to be more diverse in the economy and I think that’s where we’ve had a lot of success,” Mullens said.
Mullens said South Charleston is “home.” He said he and his staff want nothing more than to improve the quality of life.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to improve the quality of life for the people that live in our community. That’s what we need to do and I think that’s what makes us special — that’s our focus,” he said.
Other events scheduled for Wednesday include a book signing on the mound from 1 to 4 p.m.by Darla Spencer, a professional archaeologist and an open house at the South Charleston Interpret Center from 1 to 4 p.m. City recreation facilities will be free and open to the public all day.