A local 501(c)3 nonprofit has been formed to renovate The Historic Morgantown Post Office building located at 107 High Street. The Historic Morgantown Post Office Building, Inc., or HPO, is led by an engaged group of board members excited about presenting the restoration project to the public. The building is home to three nonprofit organizations, the Monongalia Arts Center (MAC), Your Community Foundation of North Central West Virginia (YCF), and the Morgantown History Museum.

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“A coordinated effort between the building’s current tenants was initiated in 2019 to assess the structural status of the building and to prepare a strategy to rehabilitate the original building and the annex. This new effort also included the formation of a new non-profit entity, The Historic Morgantown Post Office Building, Inc. (HPO), comprised of the owners of the building, MAC and YCF, to oversee the renovation project. In the fall of 2021, ownership of the building was transferred from the MAC (main building) and YCF (annex) to the HPO to facilitate the project’s operations.” explained Jane Cardi, HPO President.

“The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, needs timely infrastructure repairs and improvements including a new roof, asbestos removal, upgraded restrooms, an elevator and other accessibility upgrades, updated HVAC, plumbing, new windows, façade masonry repairs, and other historical rehabilitation work,” said local architect Ron Dulaney, Phase One Project Manager. “MAC, YCF, and the Museum are directly affected by this project because their work environment is declining around them. We are currently working with Sutter Roofing to replace the damaged roof to keep the tenants in the building and move the project forward. We are also working with Arch Masonry and Restoration and the H.E. Neumann Company to ensure the masonry work and utilities are updated in relation to the roof repair. The roof work should be completed by spring. At that point we will need to move onto the boiler and the HVAC system that also needs replaced,” continued Delaney.

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“Funding is the HPO’s priority to ensure the historical building’s renovation project moves forward,” added Cardi. “The building is home to art, culture, and philanthropy organizations vital to the Morgantown community and an important structure in the city’s business district. The Historic Morgantown Post Office Building is also key to revitalizing main street and the downtown business district. A thriving art community can be a key factor to a downtown’s economic wellness. The project is at the center of economic development in the downtown Morgantown area. The building is located adjacent to the historic Hotel Morgan, which has undergone extensive remodeling and is vital to the region’s tourism,” said Cardi.

The total cost to bring the building back to life is $10 million (at current costs). A plan to apply for historic and new market tax credits with the assistance of Wishneff and Associates is underway with hopes of securing half of the funding needed for the renovations. The HPO is also working with a marketing and development team seeking individual donations; corporate sponsorships; and federal, state, and local grants. A bank loan was secured to stabilize the building by immediately replacing the roof, repairing masonry, and relocating gas and electric lines before further damage incurred.

 

For more information, updates on renovations, questions, or to donate to the project, please follow HPO Morgantown on the web and social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube); email historicpo@gmail.com; or send checks to P.O Box 26, Morgantown, WV 26507.

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CONTACT
Jane Cardi, HPO President
The Historic Morgantown Post Office Building, Inc (HPO)
P.O Box 26
Morgantown, WV 26507

 

Phone: (304) 685-3430 
Email: historicpo@gmail.com
Website: HPOMorgantown.org