Eastbank Masterplan by cecinc

EASTBANK MASTERPLAN

Charleston

Kanawha City

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Regional Connections Just off Route 61 and closer to Charleston than any other Upper Kanawha Valley river town, East Bank benefits from its strategic position between the metro area and major regional recreation destinations. The community sits near multiple Appalachian Outlaw Trails entry points and offers direct proximity to the proposed RIM Trail and Goat Island redevelopment—two key outdoor assets expected to draw hikers, cyclists, and paddlers to the East Bank area. As improvements advance along the riverfront and trail corridors, East Bank is poised to become a prominent launch point for adventure in the Upper Kanawha Valley. Strong connections to Montgomery, Cedar Grove, and future multi-community trail loops would allow East Bank to function as an accessible, centrally located trailhead serving both local residents and visitors traveling from Charleston.

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Appalachian Outlaw Trails

Appalachian Outlaw Trails Phase 01 (Under Construction)

Future Phases

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Marmet

Shrewsberry Chesapeake

Cedar Grove Glasgow Pratt

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East Bank

London

Proposed Rim Trail

Montgomery Cabin Creek Water Trail

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Mammoth Preserve

WV Land Trust Project (Under Design) Smithers

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Proposed Rim Trail Proposed Rim Trail

Paint Creek Water Trail + Rail Trail

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Town of East Bank East Bank, West Virginia, is a small, close-knit river town in the Upper Kanawha Valley, surrounded by sweeping 360-degree mountain views and located within convenient proximity to Charleston. With an estimated 2026 population of approximately 763 residents, the town is defined less by commercial activity and more by the long-term residents who contribute to its strong sense of community and local pride. Within this compact municipal fabric lie three key sites—the former East Bank Middle School, Calvert Field, and the former bus garage property—each offering unique opportunities for redevelopment and for establishing a cohesive, town‑wide network of program spaces. The school property and Calvert Field together form a central civic and recreational zone, while the bus garage adds flexibility for new community-serving uses. Opportunities exist to tie these sites

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into a larger framework of pedestrian and programmatic connections, helping strengthen movement and activity across town despite its currently limited walkability. East Bank’s position along the Kanawha River further enhances its potential, allowing future improvements to incorporate river access, ecological amenities, and visual connections to the valley landscape. Although resources are limited and growth has been gradual, the combination of strong community identity, strategic site assets, and a remarkable natural setting positions East Bank for thoughtful, small‑scale revitalization that honors its character while expanding its opportunities.

Calvert Field

Former East Bank Middle School

River Views

Goat Island

East Bank Bird’s Eye

East Bank Middle School Score Board

8 Bus Garage

*Former Bus Garage Owned by Town, No River Access, Possible Program Area.

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6 Calvert Field

*Large Soccer Field in Good Condition, Walking Trail is in Good Condition, No Public Restrooms, Stunning 360 Views from Field. Poor Parking Options. Established River Access, Very Steep with Small Fishing Area. Field Neighbors Mayors House and a Privately Owned Cemetary*

Existing Railroad *Active*

4 East Bank Middle School

First Ave.

*Middle School in Good Condition, Back Patio Behind School Provides Possible Program Area, Stunning 360 Views, Poor River Access. Baseball Field in Good Condition, Hard for Town to Maintain. Large Parking lot, No Public Restrooms.*

East Bank Townhall *

61 Potential RIM Trailhead

3 Pioneer Park

*Proposed RIM Trail Trailhead in Downstream Strategies Report, Privately Owned by Craigo*

*Pioneer Park, Owned by Kanawha County Parks and Recreation. Pool is operational, but needs some maintenance. Plaground has minimal equipment with a picnic area*

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Proposed RIM Trail

*Proposed RIM Trail Begins on Walnut St. **

2 Town of East Bank Property *Additional Property Near Pioneer Park, Poor River Acess*

2 Potential Addition *Construction Leasing Property, Proximity to Site Areas and River Make this Property Ideal for Expanding Programming.

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1 Goat Island

*Island with Possible Program Opportunites. No Existing Access*

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Primary Site Access and Circulation

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61 Proposed RIM TrailAirbus DS, USGS, NGA, Sources: Esri, Vantor,

NASA, CGIAR, N Robinson, NCEAS, NLS, OS, NMA, Geodatastyrelsen, Rijkswaterstaat, GSA, Geoland, FEMA, Intermap, and the GIS user

Site Inventory NORTH

2 Construction Leasing

3 East Bank Property

5 Tennis Courts

6 School

7 Patio

8 Baseball Field

9 Access Road

10 Parking Lot

11 Access Road

12 Rvier Views

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1 Goat Island 7

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4 Pioneer Park

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Site Inventory NORTH

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1 Entry Road

2 Access Road

3 Private Cemetary

4 Concession Stand

5 Walking Track

6 Calvert Field

7 Removed Bleachers

8 Mayor’s House

9 River Access

10 Vegetated Area

11 Bleachers

12 Open Space

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Site Inventory NORTH a Kanawh

River

6 2 Access Road

3 East Bank Garage

5 Private Driveway

6 River Views

7 Access Road

8 East Bank Town Hall

9 Fire Department

10 Methodist Church

11 Christian Fellowship

12 Site Entrance

1 Entry Road

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4 Parking Lot

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First Av

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*Underutilitized Existing RV Park, Good Potential Connection to Proposed Programs*

4 River Views Primary Site Access

*No Public Access*

*Coming off of East Banks Primary Street First Ave. Good Site Access for Vehicles. Not Many Sidewalk Connections for Pedestrian Access Between Site Areas*

3 Pioneer Park

*Property Owned by Kanawha County Parks and Rec, Pool is Operational but Could Use Maintencance. Tennis Courts are Underutilized and Large, Potential Opportunity for Muli-Purpose Courts*

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The former East Bank Middle School property is in good physical condition but closed, and the town’s limited resources make ongoing upkeep challenging. Nearby Pioneer Park provides an existing recreational anchor with strong potential for expanded connections, while the well-maintained but underused baseball field offers an opportunity for repurposing to better meet community needs. Although vehicular access to the site is strong, pedestrian connectivity throughout town is limited and would require improvement to support broader site activation. The property also benefits from potential expansion and linkage opportunities with Goat Island, adjacent leased land, and the RV park across the river, creating possibilities for a larger, interconnected recreational and communityfocused network.

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Site Analysis

1 East Bank Middle School

Existing RV Park

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“Goat Island” *Small Island

5 Baseball Field

6 Construction Leasing Property

1 East Bank School

2 Outdoor Patio

3 Pioneer Park

4 River Views

5 Baseball Field

6 Leased Property

*East Bank Middle School Baseball Field, In Very Good Condition. Dugouts and Announcer Stand in Good Condition. Maintaining could be Difficult for the Town*

*Multiple Parcels Used for Construction Leasing. Opportunities to Expand Program Areas Into These Parcels for More Cohesive Connections*

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Site Analysis

1 Existing River Access NORTH

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*Steep Stairs Leading to River Fishing Area, No Boat Access. Opportunity for Public Fishing Area. Proximity to Residential Units not Ideal, Public Access Should be Screened to Minimize Noise*

Calvert Field is a large, open community asset featuring a walking track, field lights, bleachers, and a scoreboard, yet it remains underutilized for formal sporting events despite its substantial infrastructure. Its expansive open space offers strong potential for new programming that can complement and connect to future uses at the nearby school property. The field’s close proximity to residential areas and a private cemetery highlights the need for vegetative screening to enhance privacy, buffer noise, and create a more comfortable edge condition for neighbors. In addition, the site’s existing access to the river presents an opportunity to introduce public riverfront amenities—such as informal access, fishing areas, or small-scale recreation—that could broaden community use and help establish a larger network of connected outdoor spaces throughout East Bank.

Dense Vegetation

3 Private Cemetary

*Town Maintains Cemetary, Close Proximity to Calvert Field. Needs Screened and Protected*

Field Lights Primary Site Access *Coming off of East Banks Primary Street First Ave. Good Site Access for Vehicles. Not Many Sidewalk Connections for Pedestrian Access Between Site Areas*

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6 1 River Access

2 Calvert Field

Mayor’s House *Proximity to Existing River

2 Calvert Field

*Large Field and Walking Track in Good Condition. Bleachers and Concession Building, No Public Restroom. Room for more Program Areas with Open Space Areas. Bleachers Removed From Area now used for Parking*

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3 Private Cemetary

4 Concession Building

5 Existing Bleachers

6 Removed Bleachers

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Site Analysis

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1 River Access

The former bus garage site in East Bank is a predominantly flat parcel composed largely of existing parking surfaces, providing an accessible base for future development. The property includes a narrow extension to the Kanawha River, though this segment currently functions as a private driveway, limiting its utility for public access or programmatic integration. Existing garage structures remain on the site and are in relatively good condition, offering strong potential for adaptive reuse. Their preservation could reduce construction costs while maintaining a connection to the town’s industrial and transportation history. The site is located near Calvert Field, an important community asset; however, the absence of continuous sidewalk infrastructure creates a gap in pedestrian connectivity and restricts the formation of a cohesive pedestrian corridor through the town. Addressing this deficiency would significantly enhance the site’s integration with surrounding civic and recreational areas. The parcel benefits from expansive views of the Upper Kanawha Valley, offering a notable aesthetic advantage for future redevelopment. These visual qualities, combined with the site’s strategic location and existing structural assets, position the property as a strong candidate for revitalization and community-oriented use.

*No Access, Minimal Views*

2 Private Driveway *Private Driveway Prevents River Access Along Property Edge*

3 Bus Garage

*Former Bus Garage, Could be Re-Used*

4 Parking

Christian Fellowship Center

*Private Driveway Prevents River Access Along Property Edge*

*Good Condition, Close Proximity to Site Entrance. Event Center Opportunities*

East Bank Methodist Church *Church and Parking Lot in Good Condtion. Close Proximity to Site Entrance*

6 Elm Street 5 Cherry Street

*Vehicular Access Via Cherry St. Sidewalks in Poor Condition*

*Vehicular Site Access via Elm Street. Sidewalks are in good condition.*

1 River Access

2 Private Driveway

3 Bus Garage

4 Parking Lot

5 Cherry Street

6 Elm Street

First Ave.

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*Close Proximity to Commercial Businesses and Site Area.

Eastbank Middle School Concept

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Calvert Field Concept

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Calvert Field Concept - Alternate

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Bus Garage Concept

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