Posted on Wednesday, February 25th, 2015 in Historical, News, Restoration/Adaptive Re-Use, Uncategorized
City Manager Martin Howe and WYK Associates, Inc.’s President and Principal-in-Charge James Swiger sign the contract for the restoration of the former Robinson Grand Theatre under the watchful eye of Mayor C. Goings.
A memorable day at Clarksburg City Hall, as City Manager Martin Howe and WYK Associates, Inc.’s President and Principal-in-Charge James Swiger sign the contract for the restoration of the former Robinson Grand Theatre under the watchful eye of Mayor Catherine Goings. The restoration project will be a keystone to the urban renewal of Clarksburg’s downtown district.
Over the course of approximately the next 16 months, the local architectural planning firm will lead a team of consultants to update the building with state-of-the-art technology, while keeping the historic integrity intact. Together, they will distill the vision of the future center for arts and entertainment in the region into an visual experience, a tangible model and finally into a building plan that – once executed – will convert the century-old landmark into the cultural heart of Harrison County and the entire region. (more…)
Posted on Friday, November 21st, 2014 in News, Uncategorized
Congratulations to our President and Principal-in-Charge James B. Swiger of WYK Associates, Inc., for making the 2015 class of the West Virginia Executive’s Young Guns. His dedication to giving back to the community and the less fortunate, improve the quality of life in Harrison County and help where he can, makes it a well deserved honor. And he does it all with a smile!
When asked what they want to be when they grow up, every young boy has big aspirations. Many dream at an early age of becoming a fireman, a professional wrestler or a police officer, and as they get older, those dreams tend to shift gears, leading to entirely different paths. James Swiger, the president of WYK Associates, Inc., is one of the few who have made a childhood dream into a life-long career.
When he was 7 years old, Swiger decided he wanted to become an architect. “When I was very young, my grandfather, the business manager of Salem College, took me to construction sites at the college,” Swiger remembers. “He worked with architects on construction projects at Salem College and was always curious about construction. One day, he unrolled a set of blueprints for one of the buildings at the college. He pointed out to me that these drawings were the work of an architect. That’s when I knew what I wanted to be.”
(more…)
Posted on Friday, August 29th, 2014 in News, Uncategorized
Howard Franklin Kelley · * July 7, 1926 · + August 24, 2014
With great sadness, we yesterday learned of the passing of Mr. Howard F. Kelley – former partner with WYK Associates, Inc. A Morgantown native, Mr. Kelley passed on August 24, 2014 in Woodstock, GA.
The “K” in the company’s initials, Mr Kelley was known for his hands-on approach and involvement in all business aspects of WYK Associates, Inc. We appreciated his sharp wit and sense of humor, and will always keep him an honorable memory. (more…)
Posted on Monday, August 25th, 2014 in Government, Historical, News
These seats at the former Robinson Grand Theater could be filled again one day, under plans by the city to restore the theater as a regional cultural center.
Clarksburg — A local architect designing renovations to the former Robinson Grand Theater is about halfway through the process, Clarksburg City Manager Martin Howe said Wednesday. WYK Associates Inc. has gone over preliminary plans with the city administration and is preparing cost estimates to restore the Clarksburg landmark, Howe said.
“They’re meeting the goals to make it a multiuse, multifunctional facility,” Howe said of the architect’s plans to date. “It’s very exciting to see the planning becoming conceptual reality. “In the very near future, we can present the plan to City Council,” the city manager added. The cost estimates are critical because the city plans to seek financing through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Howe said. (more…)
Posted on Friday, August 15th, 2014 in Historical, News
Article by Leigh C. Merrifield, Shinnston News & Harrison County Journal; published August 7th, 2014
Once a grand theater in Clarksburg, many may remember watching movies here ‘back in the old days’ and some of today’s young adults may recall performing here as children.Now excitement is generating to make the Robinson Grand “grand” once again, to modernize it and make it multifunctional while maintaining its historical elements.
The City of Clarksburg has many sites in its downtown area that are historic landmarks, and plans to bring one in particular back to life are stimulating lots of positive feedback! According to Clarksburg Mayor Cathy Goings, it has been one of the goals of the current Council to purchase the former Robinson Grand Theater (also later known as the Rose Garden Theater) located on West Pike Street. That sale was finalized on May 29th, and since then Clarksburg City Council has acted even further by awarding the architectural package to WYK Associates of Clarksburg. (more…)
Posted on Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 in Uncategorized
by Wilson Harvey, Staff Writer, The Exponent Telegram, July 30th, 2014
Harrison County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin, center, meets with the Education Committee of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce Tuesday. Staff photo by Wilson Harvey
CLARKSBURG — Harrison Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Manchin spoke Tuesday at the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce’s Education Committee meeting and heard panel members’ ideas on how to connect business and education.
Manchin spoke highly of the work of the community in making education a better experience for students. “I made an effort to travel around the county to see the people who make this school system great,” Manchin said. “What has impressed me the most is that I spend half of my day talking with people who are trying to make this system great.” (more…)
Posted on Tuesday, July 1st, 2014 in Historical, News
Historical picture of the Robinson Grand Theater
By Buddy Simmons | June 30, 2014
Lately, there has been a lot of interest here in Clarksburg generated by the planned renovation of the Robinson Grand Theater. And for good reason, if those involved and invested in the project play their cards rights, this could be a boon for the city.
I’m not completely familiar with the plans for the theater, but I’m sure it could be a draw. I for one relish the idea of seeing those marquee lights flashing and I’d like to see the line formed down the sidewalk, similar to the ones that formed when the theater was still in its hey-day, when you could go see the latest block-buster on the bigger-than-life screen. (more…)
Posted on Saturday, June 28th, 2014 in News, Restoration/Adaptive Re-Use
A few of the Grand Robinson development team members talking about their their background, their passion and their excitement to be on board of the restoration project.
Posted on Saturday, June 28th, 2014 in News, Restoration/Adaptive Re-Use
Paul Siemborski and Christopher Loeser of Westlake Reed Leskosky talk about their meeting with local creative leaders, discussing the future use of the Robinson Grand Theater.
Posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2014 in News, Restoration/Adaptive Re-Use
Jill Rafter, left, director of the Clarksburg-Harrison Public Library, explains how library events would benefit from a renovated Robinson Grand Theater. Clockwise, from left: Rafter, Richard Herndon, Jason Young, Phil Wyatt, Anthony Bellotte, Tyler Terango, Phyllis Moore and Paul Siemborsky with consultant Westlake Reed Leskosky. Staff photo by Jim Davis
The Exponent Telegram · Wednesday, June 25 2014 by Jim Davis, Staff Writer
CLARKSBURG — A concert venue. A place for the performing arts. A gathering spot for authors.
Those were among the uses that members of area cultural organizations suggested Tuesday for a renovated Robinson Grand Theater. “I want to see this as a multipurpose facility,” said Phil Wyatt, with the Clarksburg-Harrison Cultural Foundation.
Two meetings in the theater’s auditorium were organized by Clarksburg officials and WYK Associates. The city recently bought the West Pike Street theater and hired WYK Associates to design the renovations to the facility. Paul Siemborski, with Westlake Reed Leskosky, moderated the meetings. The Cleveland firm, which specializes in theater planning, is a consultant for WYK Associates. Representatives of the cultural organizations discussed how they would use a remodeled Robinson Grand and proposed design modifications to suit their needs. (more…)
