CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Around 70 people gathered at Mary C. Snow Elementary School on Thursday to learn about the relationship between the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority and investment on Charleston West Side, including what citizens describe as a lack of improvement in the neighborhood.
The Tuesday Morning Group and the Charleston branch of the NAACP organized the meeting, in which attendees shared concerns over what they believe is a failure by CURA to follow the West Side Urban Renewal Plan.
The plan was set in June 2008 to spur additional housing, economic development, park access and increased infrastructure in the neighborhood. However, according to the two organizations, the Charleston Urban Renewal Authority and the Charleston City Council has failed to fulfill its promises, such as developing a plan and providing reports on a consistent basis.
Rev. Matthew Watts, the senior pastor at the Grace Bible Church, said CURA has spent more than $2.9 million dollars — less than 51 percent — on commercial and streetscaping projects and only $141,596 — nearly 2.5 percent — on addressing housing needs.
Charleston City Council approved in July of spending $4.5 million for the Charleston EDGE project, which includes downtown affordable housing for young people who are taking part in a fellowship program.
“I certainly believe in economic development, but we have to do people development,” he said. “But people need places to live. Safe, sanitary, wholesome, energy-efficient places to live.”
Watts’ concern was CURA was acting in violation of Chapter 16, Article 18 of the West Virginia State Code, which allows municipalities to create bodies to address ” slum and blighted areas.”
During an address to the attendees — which included members of CURA, Charleston City Council and the state Legislature — Watts said the lack of a plan and inadequate funding could also be a violation of the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
“The reign of terror has to end,” Watts said. “It has to end now.”
Watts also accused Mayor Danny Jones of having influence over the body. According to the Charleston Gazette-Mail, Watts and Jones had a verbal disagreement during the Aug. 9 CURA meeting.
CURA Director Ron Butlin and Charleston Councilwoman at-Large Mary Jean Davis said they attended the meeting to listen to concerns and did not provide any additional comment. Davis also serves as CURA’s assistant secretary and treasurer.
CURA is scheduled to meet Sept. 13.