FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — A man who has built hotels throughout the country has announced plans to develop one in his home town. Charlie Wendell of Mountain Shores Property, was surrounded by state and local figures in Fayetteville Monday to unveil the $15 Million dollar investment to transform the old Fayetteville Schools into a hotel and townhome complex.
“Two words come to my mind when I think of the project.. One is excited and the second is humbled. I’m extremely excited to rejuvenate a place that has provided so many memories throughout my life,” said Wendell during the announcement in the gymnasium of the old Fayetteville Elementary School.
Wendell, his parents, and his children went to school in the building which is now closed. The project calls for renovation and retrofitting the Elementary School along with the old Fayetteville Middle School and High School into housing and lodging to bolster the tourism industry.
Mountain Shore Properties LLC will convert the former high school and the adjacent middle school building into a 45-50 room boutique hotel. The neighboring elementary school building will be transformed into 20-24 apartment units, while retaining the former gymnasium as a community facility for the citizens of Fayetteville. The plan also includes townhome development. The project is expected to create 30 construction jobs and 25 permanent jobs once the construction is complete.
“Fayetteville, West Virginia is my home and although we have developed 27 hotels in ten different states, I’m extremely humbled to have the opportunity to honor all of those who have come before me by making this one the best one we’ve ever attempted to complete,” said Wendell.
He also credited a number of tax credits and incentives for getting the project off the ground. He also had high praise for U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, as well as Senator Joe Manchin and Congresswoman Carol Miller for their work to get the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve designation which has added to the tourism draw for Fayetteville.
“A lot of people want a National Park for obvious reasons,” said Senator Capito. “It’s a great source of pride for me.”
The former Fayetteville Elementary School will be repurposed into an apartment complex to fill a void in local housing.
“Everything is really cooking in West Virginia right now, but it still takes people like Charlie and an organization like Mountain Shore Properties to step up and help make it even better,” Gov. Justice said. “It’s amazing how we yearn to come home. West Virginia is a special place. It gives us our roots.”