CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Capitol Building Commission approved two projects Friday in connection with the state’s coming celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The commission gave the okay for a project to remove two 1980s planters on the north side of Capitol Complex, the former Washington Street access, to make room for the America 250 Wheel, the 230-foot tall Ferris wheel, that will be one of the main features of the July 2-5 celebration.
“The Ferris wheel footprint is like 80 by 88 feet so it’s spread out over a pretty large platform,” state General Services Division Director Bob Kilpatrick told the commission. “That 88-feet does impact that large triangular (flower) bed.”
The approved plan includes removing the two planters and then reconstructing them once the celebration is over. Kilpatrick said the replacements will be updated and more attractive. He said they’ll use the same dirt and with the plant closer to the Capitol building, that’ll include a marker commemorating the 250th celebration and flag pole for an American flag.
Those with the America 250 Wheel are scheduled to arrive in Charleston on June 25. Kilpatrick said it will take about 10 days to get it into place. He hopes to have the new planters completed some time in August.
Kilpatrick said there were plans several years ago to replace the planters but there was never funding for it.
250 Mural
The second project approved by the commission is a mural to be completed during the celebration to be hung on the side of the Capitol Complex chiller plant located to the northeast of the Capitol building.
“This mural is going to incorporate the America 250 logo that we’ve got for West Virginia,” state Deputy Tourism Secretary Ennis Smith said. “It’s going to be an opportunity for community members to be involved by painting a small portion of this mural that will be pre-designed by an artist.”
Smith said the mural would be a material called polytab. The state currently has a call out for artists. Plans are to be submitted by June 8.