David Hathwick discussed a planning project for the city of Logan at the May meeting of the Logan City Council.

Hathwick explained that architects and planners would be present to discuss ideas with the public.

Hathwick said two months ago that the Economic Development Authority in Washington had decided to do a revitalization project and funded a grant for studies on two different areas with the goal of trying to figure out ways to improve business downtown.

"The grant went to the Department of Homeland Security which selected Greenville in Gilmer County and Logan for studies. A firm was chosen to study land use patterns building occupancy and existing market conditions and to make recommendations about what sort of businesses would be feasible and what kind of projects might give those downtown areas an economic boost.

"Your downtown was suitable for the business scene of the past, but it is not suitable for today," Hathwick said. "You have too much square footage of buildings downtown which is why you have so many vacancies, especially on upper floors."

Hathwick said architects and planners will be in town next week to develop ideas and plans.

"They will walk the streets and talk with people about it," he said. "They will look at ways your downtown area might be revitalized.'

Hathwick said some of the ideas that will come out of the planning may seem pretty radical or bold, "but downtown needs to move forward."

The planning study does not include funding for any projects, however Congressman Nick Rahall may be able to fund some projects by using information for the study, Hathwick noted.

"We invite everyone to the meeting Tuesday at 2 p.m. at city hall," he said. "Ideas will be developed quickly and downtown may change profoundly. It will be different than it was 30 years ago.'

In other city council news:

•Mayor Serafino Nolletti thanked the Rotary Club of Logan, the Kiwanis Club of Logan and the Lions Club of Logan for their donations of $1,600 each to purchase new "Welcome to Logan' signs for the recent city beautification project. The Mayor said the new signs will be installed soon.

• $79,000 in bills were approved for payment.

•One resident in attendance thanked Street Commissioner Kevin Marcum for his concern and ability to get things done for residents in the city.

•Police Chief E.K. Harper told the council his department was short by one officer as the man had left the police academy on Monday.

"We have nobody on the civil service list so we will have to give out the civil service test again," Harper said.