THURMOND — The Town of Thurmond is seeking pro bono legal representation to challenge the National Park Service’s plans to demolish historically significant structures in the New River Gorge community. The Thurmond Town Council voted August 11 to seek an attorney to represent the town in a potential lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior and pursue a temporary restraining order to halt the demolitions.
The effort follows months of opposition from residents and preservation advocates over structures in the Thurmond Historic District, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1984. Preservation Thurmond is also working to identify potential lessees who could rehabilitate and maintain threatened properties through a federal leasing program.
The dispute comes after a 2022 historic-resource survey commissioned by the park service recommended preservation and stabilization for most of the 13 contributing structures evaluated in Thurmond. The park service later approved demolition of some structures, citing deterioration, safety concerns, vandalism and the cost of maintaining properties that are not needed for park operations.
