Town enlists Freeman as partner with Streetscape

Robert Marggraf, vice president of Carl M. Freeman Associates, recently told Mayor Susan Webster and members

of the Bath Town Council's Streetscape Grant Commit-

tee that the firm will assist

in the financing to develop a master plan for the Town of Bath.

Marggraf said the company will also make corporate expertise available to assist in the development and implementation of the plan.

"This generous offer represents a major step in our continuing efforts to make the Town of Bath more enticing to live and visit," Webster said.

The Freeman firm has experience in developing and implementing new design concepts for issues such as traffic, parking, landscaping and site planning.

"Over time, we intend to improve our streets and sidewalks, beautify our land-

scaping and lighting, and

implement new concepts in urban design," Webster said.

Marggraf said the company's contributions are in keeping with its commitment of being a good partner in communities where it has created new developments. The firm is currently in the early stages of bringing a new community to the former Coolfont Resorts.

Town Recorder Garnet Marsh, who chairs the Streetscape Grant Committee, said: "The town is the county seat and we have opened Streetscape development to everyone in the county. We encourage and embrace corporate sponsors."

Design consultant

Following the work of the West Virginia University Community Design Team, the Streetscape Grant Committee determined that a more comprehensive, professional plan was required to fulfill the town's needs.

"We want to produce a solid plan," Webster said. The committee will now seek a consultant through a competitive bidding process.

Grant progress

The committee has already applied for and received a $200,000 grant from the Federal Transportation Enhancement Program, which is administered by the state.

The committee recently applied for an additional $400,000 under the same program. The community is required to provide a 20% cash matching payment to qualify for the grant. Freeman's commitment will count toward that requirement.

"We sincerely welcome the active assistance of Free-

man Associates in this effort.

In the next five to ten years

we will see an enormous change in our community," Webster said.