HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2

(By Delegates Leach, Morgan and Craig)

[Introduced January 20, 2003; referred to the

Committee on Rules.]


Requesting the Division of Highways name the bridge located at Route 10 on County Route 10/20 at the Huntington Business and Industrial Park in Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia, the "James Vincent Owens Bridge."

Whereas, James Vincent Owens a retired soil specialist with the Corps of Engineers presented a suggestion to the Enslow Park Neighborhood Association for the Kinetic Park in Huntington that would eliminate the culverts at the park. The original plans contemplated an entrance into Kinetic Park in the form of an earthen embankment across the creek with culverts through it to allow for control of the water flow. The main road into the park would be constructed across this embankment. Jim Owens expressed concern that if the culverts were to be clogged as blocked, water would build up behind the wall and over the top of the embankment with significant pressure on the embankment that could lead to failure and collapse with the potential of a flood of water in the Enslow Park neighborhood resulting in serious damage and potential loss of life. As an alternative to the original plan, Jim Owens suggested the construction of a bridge, which was considered a better approach and was approved; and
Whereas, James Vincent Owens died during the planning and development stages of the Kinetic Park project, after the Mayor of Huntington and the State approved the concept set forth by Mr. Owens and funding for the bridge was approved and the state committed moneys for construction; and
Whereas, The new bridge at Route 10 on County Route 10/20 at the Huntington Business and Industrial Park in Cabell County is unnamed; and
Whereas, The families and residents of this area desire that this bridge be officially recognized as the "James Vincent Owens Bridge" in honor of his contributions to his community; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the West Virginia Division of Highways to name the bridge Route 10 on County Route 10/20 at the Huntington Business and Industrial Park in Cabell County
, West Virginia, the "James Vincent Owens Bridge"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways cause an appropriate sign to be placed at either end of this bridge which designates the bridge as the "James Vincent Owens"; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House is hereby directed to forward a copy of this concurrent resolution to the Secretary of Transportation, the Commissioner of the Division of Highways, and the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office.