DICKENSON COUNTY, Va. – The Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority (IDA), in partnership with the Town of Haysi, is working toward a master plan for the former Haysi High School site in Haysi, Virginia. An initial conceptual study was completed in March of 2023 by Structr Advisors that examined various concept models for both the former Haysi High School site, as well as the “green lot” on Main Street of Clintwood. The study identified potential site layouts, site capacity, and design strategies.
In June of 2023, the IDA engaged MWSmith Architect and Hurt & Proffitt, INC. to complete a more in-depth study as an addendum to the original concept study. The current study will examine, in detail, the feasibility and viability of development of the former high school site by examining civil items such as existing site characteristics, site access and utilities. Additionally, the study will provide 2 concept layouts based on potential building footprints identified by the architect with input from various stakeholders in the community.
“The feasibility study should provide valuable data and other useful information that will help determine the best use of the former Haysi High School site,” said the Town of Haysi Mayor and Chairman of the Dickenson County IDA, Larry Yates. “Since the property is one of the better sites that can be used for Economic Development in our Haysi community, we need to be able to make informed decisions to ensure the property serves community needs.”
A 2-day design workshop was held in July with both the architect and engineer in attendance on site. The final report will provide more detailed data to be used by the IDA and potential developers in planning for site development. In June, the IDA submitted an application to Virginia Energy for consideration in the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program (AMLER). If selected, funding will be utilized to prepare the site for future development.
“Our hope is that our efforts can line up with the completion of the Army Corps of Engineers 202 floodproofing project currently underway in the Haysi area of the county,” said Dana Cronkhite, Dickenson County Director of Economic Development. “There are many variables outside of the IDA and county’s control, but our goal is to be able to create a site that is ready for development in order to maintain key anchor businesses and attractions in the community, provide an opportunity for adjustment to the impacts of the 202 Program, and to foster community cohesion.”
The next step in the process will be to have a traffic study completed in order to examine the current entrances to the site based on commercial and/or residential traffic capacity and needs. This study will be funded from a grant from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) awarded for site development of the former Haysi High School site. The Structr study and the MWSmith are being funded by a $50,000 grant awarded from Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority (VCEDA) in 2022 to conduct feasibility for two sites in the county. The announcement regarding the status of the AMLER application is expected later this year.
Pictured: Larry Yates, Mayor of Haysi, VA and Chairman of the Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority and Dana Cronkhite, Dickenson County Director of Economic Development
Photo by Anna Mullins Photography
