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I've been negotiating to purchase a new landing area under the NRGB for over two years. Some recent developments have prompted this post.

The land for sale encompasses approximately 3.5 acres from the current NPS-owned Bridge Day LZ to beneath the bridge. It also runs from the river to beyond the railroad tracks. Once cleared, this new landing area would be larger and safer for jumpers.

Anyway, after hashing out boundaries, prices, zoning, and a bunch of other stuff that has already cost me hundreds of dollars and too much time, I just found out that my bid has been rejected because the land owners are trying to sell to the NPS. The current landowners actually have 90+ acres with an asking price of $325k, but the small 3.5 acre parcel that was specifically selected for me was priced at $55k. In the past, the NPS offered $150k for the entire 90 acres, but the landowners rejected this. Through the sale of individual lots, they wanted to raise $110k or more, because by piecing it out they would make more. Since the landowners were unable to piece out the property to their liking, they have now gone to Congressman Nick Rahall and asked if he could help in gaining additional government funding for the NPS to purchase the 90 acres. The government would pay the appraised value of the property. Congressman Rahall has reportedly told the landowners that it is likely he'll be able to obtain the funding, but it won't happen until later this year at the earliest.

In addition to the purchase above, I've also been talking to the Dept. of Highways, my Congressmen, Senators, Governor, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, and local newspapers regarding an expansion of Bridge Day to 3 days minimum. If you have the time, read THIS. Obviously, having our own LZ would make the above plan to much smoother. It might take an act of Congress for the NPS to permit an additional 2 days of jumping and the NPS is reportedly going to raise my special use permit fees this year ($660 last year for 8 hours time). Imagine the fees for three days!

So, in talking with the landowners, they are going to wait and see if Congressman Rahall can get them the funds to purchase their property and it'll become part of the NPS. However, I asked them how much money it would take for us to purchase the new LZ and halt their plan to sell to the NPS. They reported that $110k of sales would stop their dealings with Congressman, which may involve 15-30 acres. Therefore, if anyone out there is interested in investing money in having our own LZ, please contact me ASAP. We don't have a lot of time, and I hate to see all this work be wasted. I do not have the money to do this myself, but I don't want to see the NPS purchase the property. Plus, if our three day Bridge Day event is approved, your investment could be paid back in a matter of years. If everyday legal jumping were approved in conjunction with the proposed "catwalk tours" venture that someone else is working on, then the property purchase would be even more valuable to the BASE community.

There is a ton more information and details that I can convey to you if needed.

This isn't all about Bridge Day, and my main interest in this is to permit more jumping at the NRGB, period. I just want to jump legally and not have to fight the NPS anymore! By having our own LZ, we have solved a large part of the problem and made another step toward legal jumping. I have been talking to everyone I can on radio, newspapers, and TV about legal jumping in the area. Today, there was another article in the paper about legal jumping and it was very positive.

Any thoughts on what to do next? Anyone interested in this? I need to generate at least $110k to get these guys to sell, or cross my fingers and hope the Congressman doesn't come through.

The attached picture shows the prime LZ (3.5 acres). Any additional property is below the bridge and downstream.

Looking at it,It should't take much to round up money....There is at least 1000 Base numbers given out + the one's that don't have one, if we all pitch in $100.00 each there would be no problem raising the money.

Getting the pledges can be done, but figuring out how to "protect" everyone is another matter. I would probably have to form a shareholder based LLC and I'd try to keep the number of investors as low as possible to make it simpler.

The NPS essentially forced Jon Dragan to sell the current Bridge Day LZ back in the early/mid 1980's, so I'd hate for them to obtain MORE land down there. Before Jon passed away a few months ago, he told me how the NPS contacted city officials and they, in turn, put pressure on Jon to sell the current LZ. As much as I'd like to work with the NPS, I also realize that it'll be less stress to just have our own LZ.

It's do or die for us regarding this land. So let's raise the cash and buy it. Any suggestions on the proper way to form a company to protect investors?

what would the minimum investment need to be?

i kick in. check PM please

Hey WHY NOT CREATE A PAYPAL account just for this?

Please note that a closer landing area means longer delays without getting wet. ;)

Minimum investment would ideally be $1000, but there are many factors that could change this. I am personally putting in $10-15k of my own money and my other investor will match this figure. But, keep in mind it'll take some additional funds to clear the property and prepare it for landings.

I live two hours from the NRGB, so I'll be doing a ton of work on it if we can obtain the property.

Please email me if you can assist (jbell@vertical-visions.com). If you've spoken to me in the past about this, I'll send you an email tonight with full details.

Jason,

Have you talked to your bank to get a loan?

I would give to this fund with no intented return,as i would think the other that were helping out!

Man, if only Ddog wasn't such a lead foot . . .

NickD
BASE 194

That's an option, but I'd have to sell my plasma to make ends meet. I've got a fat mortgage and another mouth to feed soon. I just hate to see this land go to waste.....even if another jumper is able to buy the whole thing, I would be happy.

 

I'm with you. Are they any lawyers on board who can be part of this so we can have some help with the paper work?

Hmmmmm

Not wanting to piss on your chips here but why would you expect thousands of jumpers worldwide, that's WORLDWIDE, to contribute to the purchase of this land which they will never ever see, never mind land on. I genuinely hope that Jason can form some sort of consortium of jumpers to achieve the goal.....i just think it's more likely to be a local issue as opposed to a global issue.

Good luck Jason....hope you can find the investors to make the deal work.

ian

What about local businesses putting up cash in return for X years Bridge day sponsorship, is that an option?

I'll put in!

funny thing - I just sent Jason an email saying I am game for $500. But hell, if it's $1000 that makes it, and we are sure that we have enough people involved - I can do $1000. I clocked myself doing a drive from my place to Fay in 4:20 flat last time - weird, huh ?

Are there any issues with zoning or clearing the land? Is this not a protected area?

i think jason would have looked into that... right? I think he mentioned clearing it already?

Yes, I even had a local lawyer look into it for me. Clearing trees and moving rocks is OK. Moving rocks into the river is not.

Information packets will be sent very soon to everyone who's expressed interest so far. It's now or never for us....

Also, check with your lawyer and make sure (as sure as you can) that either a local or the federal government can't make a case for emminent domain and force you to sell them the land after they see what is being done. I'm somewhat surprised that land under the bridge, is part of it actually under?, is not already owned by the public. I assume that zoning and other issues prevent any development other than clearing. Hear in Michigan cutting trees in a flood plain is allowed but stump removal and grading isn't necessarily allowed. Make sure what they mean when they have said that clearing is okay.

It sounds like you have but just some cautionary suggestions.

Also does it have frontage on a public road, will you have deeded access to the property, or is it land locked? This could be an issue if you have to cross NPS or other land to access with the equipment for clearing and access for use. The answer may be obvious but I haven't been to bridge day so don't know the full layout.

Just some thoughts that come from my experience in local government and zoning.

Bingo. My thoughts exactly.

I sent you an email offering to contribute what little cash I've got. I'll also (in the event this goes through) contribute my time and energy to help clear the land.

Mike

Jason,
please send me all the info you have on this issue. I would like to know the particulars.
thanks,
Jason
570

Jason, send me all the info you ave. I am very interested. omarfamada@hotmail.com

Jason I am in for donating a C note.

jason, I'd like to contribute. Can you send me the info and how you would like it done to rendezvous_xyz@hotmail.com

All,

Info packet will go out to everyone tonight or tomorrow. If you've emailed me or expressed interest in this thread, you'll get a copy.

Thanks.

What happened to doing this 2 years ago when you talked about it at BD? There were several people including myself that told you that we would purchase the land to be a part of what you wanted to do, But you acted as if you didn't want anyone but your in crowd involved. Will you charge the jumpers who chip in to land on your property? Good luck! I hope you hav'nt wasted too much time talking about it instead of doing it.

Jason,
Do you remember last year when my freind Dave Wall called you after I told him that you were looking for money for the land purchase? He told you that he would put all the money up front for this deal but you told him no thanks that you had it all under control,,,well I guess that wasn't true. Dave told you that he didn't even want to make a profit for the loan just his money back. Dave isn't even a BASE jumper, he just has freinds that are and the meens to help out but you turned him down..... If your not gonna do anything but talk, step aside and let others do it.
No one is trying to steal your thunder or to take the spot light away from you. You can still be the HEAD of the NEW MODERNIZED BASE regulatory organization.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP out and keep it free for everyone.

It doesn't sound like Jason has an exclusive or a right of first refusal on this piece of property, so anyone who is unhappy with the way he is doing things is free to contact the land owner and work out their own deal. You sound pretty disgruntled about what Jason is doing, so perhaps you and your friend should just bypass Jason, contact the land owner yourselves and have your friend buy it directly.

I don't have a personal problem with Jason! I'm just letting everyone know that there were options open to him on this issue, as far back as 2 years ago when he first approached people about it. And I really don't think its appropriate to cry for help now that he cried wolf for so long.

Warning - Devil's Advocate Ahead . . .

Keep in mind the success of Bridge Day didn't just happen. It took the work of many BASE jumpers, over many years, to get where the event it now.

Jason's plan, at first glance, would be a dream come true for BASE jumping. However, after thinking about a bit, I can see some would be problems.

The plan seems to have morphed from adding a few more hours to Bridge Day to purchasing land below the bridge and (I'll assume) have jumping there everyday. This is a big step in the life of an event that sees only incremental changes from year to year. Does anyone remember when real wooden steps leading up to the rail was the talk of Bridge Day? Do you think 400 hundred BASE jumpers would show up on the third Saturday every October if jumping was available all the time? I can hear it now. "No, I avoid Bridge Day now, as it's so much easier and cheaper at other times."

Right now, due to the long time popularity of Bridge Day, the powers that be are forced to co-operate with us. If for any reason the NPS, Bridge Day Commission, or anyone else endeavored to shut down the event permanently the local townspeople would show up in masse with pitchforks and burning torches.

I'm afraid, as in the case of the NPS, that without "having" to participate they will become outright antagonistic. Without a stake in keeping jumping open, the NPS would be free to hassle BASE jumpers to no end. Right now, because it's in everyone's best interest, both sides are trying to get along with each other.

Another thing is right now (and this isn't about Jason personally, you could plug anyone's name in here) we all, unless you have warrants out for your arrest, have access to jumping at Bridge Day. What will happen when Jumper X (or a group of Jumper Xs) "owns" the jump itself and for some reason they decide they don't like you?

Will the open architecture of the event change to the detriment of the sport? We have always allowed a pretty much anything goes freedom at Bridge Day, and there's no arguing that idea has worked for over twenty years. Could Jumper X someday say only "certain" gear, or "types" of jumps are permitted?

One thing Jean Boenish, Andy Calistrate, and other's who have run Bridge Day understood is they were "only" stewards of the event. (Okay, maybe not Andy so much.) I guess I'm worried about killing the golden goose.

Bridge Day is BASE jumping's longest running event, it's a mainstay, and it's something that connects us to the early days of the sport. Bridge Day is what we all point to as a way to legitimize ourselves, and if major changes take place, there's no way to get around we are taking a big chance if it all goes awry. I could be wrong about all this, and I hope I am.

But, sometimes the Devil you know . . .

NickD
BASE 194

I found my notes regarding Dave Wall and yes, we discussed the land issue in the past. For your information, over the last 1.5 years the acreage and prices have been changed by the landowners numerous times. Now, the landowners have changed their mind once again. I have also spent my own money on lawyers investigating every aspect of the purchase. There is a LOT of information that you are not aware of, so no need to cast stones. This stuff takes time. Most of the delays have been the fault of the landowners and waiting on lawyers and bids to come back.

The land issue should be settled this week and I'll be sure to keep you all informed. Things are changing every day.

i,ll chip in .

I've started a reply to your post several times, Nick, and I'm still having trouble, so I won't try to answer your points; I'll just throw in a couple of my own.

Jason is talking about buying "landing area" not "exit point." The Bridge is not for sale, and it would be difficult to enforce rules or ban jumpers. I suspect that such enforcement would be about as successful as that of official attempts at such over the years: sporadic, at best. On the other hand, setting up the land purchase as a "BASE Trust" would be a practical idea, particularly from the standpoint of liability.

As for legal year-round jumping having a deleterious effect on Bridge Day, I have serious doubts for reasons I find myself unable to elucidate in a public forum.

But I'm wondering if there isn't some state law that bans foot traffic. I seem to recall that pedestrians are allowed on the Bridge only on Bridge Day. Jason? Have you looked at this issue, or did I hallucinate that sign on the highway?

rl

i think he was trying to get catwalk access from underneath

Foot traffic on the bridge is banned, save for bridge day. Whether you were hallucinating or not... well, thats a whole different bag

nic

maybe all the easter candy I ate got to me...

I'm in jason send me the info !!!!!!?????
Lonnie

bump.... just wondering if anything ever developed or failed to develop... thread just kindof died...

I wrote more about it Here.

Currently, it's a political nightmare. I met with the new land owner several times and as long as the NPS doesn't object, he'll clear the land for us at no cost. I'm currently asking for help from the Bridge Day Commission, Governor Manchin, and Congressman Rahall in obtaining the green light to cut down some trees. This is a sensitive issue because the NPS and other eco people think cutting down trees in the gorge is bad, regardless of whether it's private property or not. The new land owner has already been hassled by the NPS for building developments near the park, so he doesn't want to cut any trees down until some higher ups OK it. I know the new LZ would make BD safer and maybe even save a life, but jumpers are not very well respected in Fayetteville.

Here is some text from a recent letter to my Governor and the Bridge Day Commission:

We are actively working with the new land owner on clearing a larger and safer privately-owned jumper landing zone below the New River Gorge Bridge. This new landing area was recently purchased by Mr. XXXXX and is next to the current NPS landing area. Mr. XXXXX is willing to clear the land as per our specifications in order to offer a safer alternative to the NPS landing area. Many jumper injuries each year are caused by tall trees that will not be removed by the NPS. Even though the property is privately owned, Mr. XXXXX fears that clearing a suitable ¾ acre landing zone will cause concern for some people. Mr. XXXXX and Vertical Visions would like your support in this venture in order to make Bridge Day safer and more enjoyable for both jumpers and spectators.

I do have a backup plan if I cannot get the big wigs to support me. I have requested meetings with the Governor and Congressman, so hopefully they'll give me 10 minutes to present the plan. Unfortunately, these things take time.

thank you..

It's like that in every Fayetteville. It's the curse of the name. Maybe you should change the name of the town first. I suggest "BRTTBB" (Backwoods Rednecks Trying to Be Big Time). Man with all those constanants you could pretend it is a Serbian colony.