The University of Pikeville proposed a regional disaster relief center to the state legislature’s Disaster Prevention and Resiliency Task Force on Friday.
It would be built at the university’s Bear Mountain complex, which is under development to be used for the school’s athletic facilities. The complex would be around 1,100 feet above sea level.
Democratic Representative Ashley Tackett Laferty, who represents Floyd and Pike counties, supported the proposal.
“We’ve noticed with the most recent flooding that a lot of times we are going to separate places for separate things, and our community is somewhat segmented,” Laferty said.
UPike executive vice president Lori Worth says it would offer a centralized hub for the state’s far-east region in times of need.
“I think the challenges this last go around were so many different places that people just didn't know where to go and ask for help, and there were inconsistent hours of where to get the help,” Worth said.
Pikeville estimates the complex would cost $11 million in total. The highest priorities for the project would include funding for a communications center and a supply distribution center, but the full project also includes 50 spaces for RVs and campers, an emergency shelter, and a training center.
