February 14, 2003 – State Journal

PM Company Spurs Development in Parkersburg Area

PARKERSBURG – With more than 700,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and professional space to his name, Parkersburg developer Pat Minnite has been a significant contributor to the area’s economic growth.

Health Bridge , the medical offices his company is building in Belpre , Ohio , is the latest in a long list of diverse projects that range from the first commercial condominium in the state to West Virginia Motor Speedway.  Those projects have helped make PM Company one of the region’s largest developers.  Minnite’s first project was a drugstore in Vienna in 1980.  “The opportunities kept coming, and they have all been real estate related,” Minnite said.  “Once we see an opportunity, we grab hold of it and make it work.”  The Rivers, a 75,000 square foot professional complex overlooking the Ohio River , was completed in 1994.  Construction of the PM Center, a four building, 110,000 square foot complex near the Grand Central Mall entrance, got under way in 1993 and was completed in 2000.  Minnite said his business performs property design, construction, management, and leasing in house.  Sons Pat and Jason are an integral part of the development team.  “Everything is done locally.  We develop the real estate, build and then manage the leased properties,” Minnite said.  Jason handles construction; Pat handles property management and leasing.  “We often work with R. W. Salter & Associates on the design,” Minnite said.  “Our engineers take care of the structural side of the project.  “We have a vision, see the possibility of a commercial site, buy the land and then start sketching.  We work as a team from start to finish on a project.”  With numerous sites in Boaz, Vienna , Mineral Wells, several locations on Grand Central Avenue and others in Parkersburg , Minnite said he still hopes for the right opportunity to create a downtown Parkersburg presence.  “We find out what the client is looking for and make it happen,” Minnite explained.  “The absence of a downtown location is just a matter of chance.” Minnite said development costs for retail projects range from $70 to $80 per square foot.  Professional buildings, requiring more electrical, more plumbing and more amenities, are often twice that amount.  With approximately 130 tenants, Minnite knows what they are looking for:  “Retail needs parking and good lighting.” Minnite said.  “Professional tenants want everything taken care of – utilities, inside and outside maintenance, janitorial and sanitary services.  We try to give our clients everything they want so that all they need is a key to get in.”  According to Minnite, leasing costs also vary.  “Professional properties, because of their additional requirements, range from $15 to $18 per square foot.  Retail is closer to $10 per square foot and warehousing is $5 to $6 per square foot.”  In addition to the completion of Health Bridge in May, PMC plans to develop a retail strip in Vienna as its next project.