The Grundy Story
Every once in a while, a remarkable story surfaces that represents what can be accomplished when true partnering takes place along with solid efforts. Such a story unfolded for the Stewart Perry Company when we were introduced to the mountain town of Grundy, VA.
Since 1929, Grundy had been plagued by flooding from the Levisa Fork River. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was called in to assess the situation, and their recommendation was a levee system. With precious little space left in this valley, the Grundy Industrial Development Authority (IDA) realized that they would have to relocate businesses across the river as part of the redevelopment. To do this, they would need to cut a notch from the steep rocky wall abutting the Levisa Fork. The Corps engineered the earth moving and delivered on their promise of a levee, readying the site for roadwork.
To complete its part of the redevelopment, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) built a new four-lane highway atop the levee system, connecting the town and bringing even more potential for business and commerce to Grundy. The town was expanded to include opportunities for new retail, offices, lodging and restaurants. Careful planning and the consequent alternative route for the highway meant thousands of acres of forest remain unharmed.
All of the components that went into this project were possible through a close relationship between the Town of Grundy, the Corps, VDOT, the IDA, and Commonwealth Properties of Ashville. Their efforts, combined with the guidance of United States Congressman, Rick Boucher, business leaders in the town of Grundy, the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and People Inc have accomplished the goal and gotten the site ready for mixed-use construction, something the citizens of Grundy and its surrounding communities had been patiently awaiting for the better part of a decade.
When Grundy Plaza construction began in August 2009, their patience was rewarded. This redevelopment is being built across the Levisa Fork River from the traditional commercial business district and will offer a wide array of retail shops and commercial space. Chief among the tenants is a mercantile store perched atop a two-story parking structure. Vertical development will better utilize the space available and reduce the development’s impact on the surrounding environment, all while offering amazing river views. Customers will be able to access the shops via service escalators, elevators, and a cart elevator providing easy entry to all levels of the structure.
A focus on building this town center in a careful, smart, and conscientious manner was of the utmost importance from the very beginning. Advancements to the site not only include beautification and safety precautions for natural disasters, but answer the call for more environmentally responsible buildings in America by designing in an eco-friendly manner. Grundy Plaza will join the ranks of other ground-breaking developments by being a L.E.E.D (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified structure.
Even before the first concrete was poured, this project had already begun to have an economic ripple effect on the area. Once complete, the redevelopment is expected to produce and retain around 1,000 direct and 1,000 indirect jobs. When doors open for business, Buchanan County citizens will no longer have to drive long distances to purchase the goods and services that they require. This means business and commerce can stay in the local area, allowing the entire town to reap the center’s benefits.
Stewart Perry is proud to have a hand in a project of this magnitude, especially one that will help a community. Projects like these remind us that economic improvement, safety of citizens, protection from natural disaster property damage and environmental sustainability are possible no matter what the size or complexities involved. When the doors open for the first time, just before the 2010 holiday season, Stewart Perry will be proud to stand alongside local customers, designers, engineers and employees of the new Grundy Plaza.
I note with interest the “mercantile store” in your description of the structure above the two level parking building. The name Wal-Mart was not given. Why was Wal-Mart not represented at the offical ribbon cutting?
Thank you for your note. Typically we do not indentify prospective tenants while construction is underway.
do you know why that the name walmart was not used? its because jack stump does not want the grocery part of walmart to be put in so that he can keep price gouging at food city. He had tried several times to keep walmart out with no prevail. He knows that if walmart comes into grundy, he will lose his precious money. That is all he cares about!
Jack Smith, not Jackie Stump….Jackie Stump was a former delegate. Jack Smith owned the Food City chain.
Could you post a larger photo of the artists rendering of the new Grundy?
We have a high res version of the photo on our system. If you are interested, I will be happy to contact the artist to let him know that you would like a copy for your records. Just let me know. Thanks.
The title is the first thing I see wrong with the website should you have not titled it “Razing Grundy” instead. It hurts my stomach to drive by the ruins of Town that is going from a solid brick and mortar town to a pre fabricated giant “Teds Sheds” by the Levisa River.
Gregory,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Hopefully in the end you will enjoy what is transiting on that side of the River.
After spending my first 20+ years of life in Grundy and still visiting my parents there, I watch with great interest what will become of this quaint little town/county. If things are done correctly, it could become the hub of Southwestern VA, Southern WV, and Eastern Ky. I applaud those that worked to get the law and pharmacy schools located in the county. I hope the change from tiny coal mining town to whatever it becomes does not ever take away from that home town feel that I get every time I go “home”.
To the developers, good luck and God speed.
Thank you so much for your kind words. We are really excited about the project and believe it will bring good things to the Town. It’s nice to know that there are citizens like you who support the cause.
Speaking as someone who moved from Grundy all the way to the west coast in Washington state. I think Grundy is long overdue to be brought into the modern world. It was sad to see the old Grundy being torn down. But I think the new Grundy will be a blessing for those who still live there.
We are excited to see that Grundy is being rebuilt.
I graduated from Grundy High School in 1958, I was involved in the flash flood that happened around 1956 or 1955 when I was in 10th grade. I am coming back this week to put flowers on my Mom and Dad’s grave site and see how Grundy is coming along.
Sixteen years ago I first visited Grundy having grown up in NoVA. I fell in love with the town, but was sad to see that a once booming town had suffered economically. I makes me happy to see the town will hopefully again be booming with a healthy economy. Great things are being built for a great town. It is a tribute to the spirit and endurance of the people who call Grundy their home. Thank you!
When I first come back into town and saw that most of my “home” was gone, I have to admit that I cried. Not just a few tears, but I cried. Now that I see what is going on, I understand. Thanks for making things clear for all of us who thought there was going to be nothing left but the Court House and Mr. Allen’s gas station.
Hello,
I am so glad that new business will be coming to Grundy, our little town needs it.
For those who are interested in taking part in renting one of the little store fronts to put in their own small business, is their any contact information you could give as to whom to speak with about renting out one of the store fronts?
Very Interested!
Thanks so much
JBC, You can contact Mark Podlin or Randi LaFerney for leasing space. The numbers are 912-571-1873 for Mark and 423-384-8300 for Randi.
I am so excited for Grundy. It has been a long and frustrating wait for the people who have held on to Grundy. I hope this is the start of much bigger things for my hometown. I will always call Grundy my home.
What level of L.E.E.D. certification will the building receive?
While we’ve built several LEED projects in the past, the Grundy Town Center is not applying for certification.
I would like to know the location of the picture you featured called “We Remember Grundy”. This photograph has been posted in web site, books, etc. but so far it has not been identified by
anyone who was raised in Buchanan County. Since I already have this picture in my
collection and it came out of a paper in Pikeville, KY, can you please satisfy my
curiosity as to where you acquired the picture? The caption under the picture says
Blog at WordPress.com and below that it has Theme: Vigilance by the Theme Foundry.
Would appreciate an answer. Thank you.
Grundy provided those for us. Your best bet is to check with Tim Potter at the Grundy IDA.
I don’t know why everyone is so happy about Wal-Mart coming anyway. Wal-Mart is notorious for moving into a small town and putting all of the local “mom and pop” places out of business because they can’t afford to offer the prices as low as Wal-Mart does. (I might also mention that Wal-Mart forces their vendors to cut corners in order to meet the prices they demand.) So once all of the local people have had to close their businesses and lose their livelyhood then they have no money left to put back into the community. This in turn means no one to shop at Wal-Mart so they close up shop and leave a big empty building behind to an already dieing town. It’s like the coal mines all over again. All that is left is a small community ravaged by drug use, theft, and violence because there is simply nothing else left to do.
Susan, We are sorry to hear you feel this way. Our opinion differs, of course, but we hear your concern. It’s our hope that the town center will do great things for Grundy for many years down the road.
I think it’s a wonderful thing that Walmart has came to Buchanan County! Yeah, I don’t believe in the policies of how Walmart does their business, but it will bring jobs and convenience for the citizens of the area. Having grown up in Hurley and visiting family there very often, I know how hard it is to try and get anything done with the non existence of shopping areas and having another option for grocery/odds and ends shopping. Some people may think that Walmart is going to run other businesses out of town, but it’s up to the citizens of the area and people like me (out of towners who visit home) to keep going to them for their business. It’s about making choices sometimes. Another reason I’m glad there’s a Walmart is for my 84 year old Mawmaw, she likes going to Walmart, but it’s such a hard trip for her and my Pawpaw to go to Richlands. Now maybe it can be a little easier for them to go. I hope Grundy keeps movin’ on up because I like to think that someday I’ll get the chance to move closer to home (than I already am) and the benefits for the residents of the county.
I’m excited to see the new Wal-mart and all the other little outlet stores open. While change is not easy it was needed in Grundy. I pray this will create jobs for people in our county. I support the law and pharmacy schools as well. Its been a slow process but finally we can see the progress… and I’m happy for my “people”. I’ve lived in Pikeville, Kentucky for the past 8 yrs but Buchanan County will always be my home!
I’m very excited for Grundy and applaud their the grand efforts to grow! If I had any other opinion to express, I feel it would have been a much better utilization of money to move the town to Poplar Gap. This is because there is a vast amount of space for their desired continued expansion, a breathtaking view that would’ve given the town great aesthetic eye-appeal, public sewer is already in place and it is certainly out of a flood zone, etc. There would also have been no need for a multi-story Walmart. It just seems a shame considering millions have been spent on blasting away a mountain to “make room” for something as small as a Walmart, building flood walls, allocating temporary business locations, etc, all in the name of keeping Grundy’s original integrity. Grundy’s exact location in all due respect was just bad to begin with, otherwise flooding wouldn’t have been such a drastic issue, therefore, was it really worth it to spend such a gross amount of the taxpayer’s money just to leave it in it’s original place? For me, moving it to very nearby Poplar Gap simply would have been a much more logical and less expensive choice, especially considering a bigger road would have been their biggest concern and that to me seems like a small feat compared to what has been mandatory just to leave Grundy where it is. Furthermore, they could have invested those big bucks in having their beloved courthouse moved as well. Grundy may not be my hometown, but it is my town of choice since I live near Prater and so that would have been my choice. What’s done is done and I do hope they will extend Grundy to Poplar Gap and connect them together to at least utilize the gorgeous open spaces up there!
Also, can anyone please tell me the name of the company that was used to raise all the homes in Grundy?? I’d really appreciate the information.
God Bless Grundy and it’s faithful residents!
Thank you, Jennifer, for taking the time to share your opinion. To answer your question, the Army Corps of Engineers handled plans for raising the town center and the handful of houses closest to the Levisa
I certainly hope all goes well with all. I grew up there and have many fond memories, but have lived in Richmond VA for the past 30 some odd years and am glad to see progress come to area. Many people have gained and then lost, perhaps this will cut down on losses. Perhaps there are things that could have been done better but at least something was done. When you have to work with committees and other groups (look at congress for instance) you have to compromise some to get something done. I remember the flooding how tragic. Most of my family still live in area, Miss the old town though, nothing stays same or it moves backwards. When will it open? Looking forward to visiting again the new Grundy.
Thank you for your thoughts. The new center will open in September.
Wanda, I’ve been told that picture was taken up in Harman, VA.
I think Grundy’s Wal-Mart is a beautiful building. Very unique!
The eve of the Grand opening has our family very excited. We relocated to Grundy from Charlotte last year so my husband could attend Law school. Our children love Riverview Elem/Middle and the rest of the town. The people here are so welcoming and friendly that it didn’t take long for it to feel like home. We are looking forward to the convenience of the stores in the plaza, hoping it will add to the short time that we are fortunate enough to spend here. The memories of Grundy are sure to last a lifetime as well as being a great experience for our children.
I am from Grundy and it’s been 7 yrs.since I was home. I was not sure how I would feel but for the folks there now they do need new life and up to date products that’s called progress and yet for us that grew up there all of our life. it’s really hard not to have the town with Ben Franklin, Drug Stores, Cumberland Bank and Trust Co. and be able to walk on the streets and see and talk to neighbors you don’t see during the week except on Saturday when the men go for a hair cut and the ladies get their hair done on the corner at the red light and then Piggly Wiggly for groceries.. but I am so glad I grew up there and happy for the memories I have and Thank you for leaving the Court House and the little gas station beside it… that was the first thing I saw that made me feel I was home., I pray the Coal Industry will one day bring more work and other company will be there for the community again. I will always call Grundy home and maybe now they won’t flood out like before. Thanks for the meomeries…..the only other thing I think they need is a Golden Corral. Wish you all the Best .and May God Bless Grundy
One word: SUSHI! I hope that at least one of the stores there is going to be a decent restaurant. Grundy would really benefit from a decent Sushi restaurant, a Chili’s (with full bar), a Mexican restaurant, and a Starbuck’s. It could make half a claim to civilization if those things moved in. When I was there (2006-2009), everything was burning down, and you had to drive 50 miles for a half-way decent meal.
If I had designed this place, I would’ve put condos, offices and apartments over the shops. It is greener to build that way than to just have one floor and I think it would have looked a bit better. It would’ve given it some of the character Old Grundy had. Then again, politics often obstructs that from happening because of obscure wording and laws that shouldn’t exist. Hopefully someday in the future the new downtown can be renovated to add more housing and make it even more sustainable and green than it is now.
A Grundy Walmart! How appropriate. And how typical for these big box developers to smell out every lousy penny of government welfare to pave their way. How much sense does it make for taxpayers to be subsizing a retailer with $200 billion in revenues? Is this what “free market” means? I hope residents in Grundy will start an effort to starve the Grundy Walmart by shopping locally instead. Inviting Wamart into Grundy is like inviting a cannibal to dinner. The only people who will get rich off this scheme are the developer and the Walton family. Everybody else is just 99% noise.
The “developer” and Landlord is the Town – specifically the Industrial Development Authority. There were more than 300 jobs created by this development. People are going to go to Wal-Mart anyway. Now, they can save gas and go in their hometown. Buchanan County was losing more than $350 Million a year in Sales going to other counties. This way, they can collect some of that tax revenue to spend on their own schools, police, etc.
I think you should take another look, Al Norman, below the surface.