Progress 2020 -- Business by John McCabe

Business A Supplement to The Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register, The Times Leader, Tyler Star News and Wetzel Chronicle Wednesday, February 26, 20

Seeking A

CLEARER VISION From farmers markets to high-rise apartments, downtown districts in West Virginia and Ohio are looking for a clearer vision on how to reinvent themselves. With the opening of the Boury Lofts and Stone Center Lofts in Wheeling, more people are flocking to live downtown. More apartments in the city will open soon. Plus, the Grow Ohio Valley market that opened its doors in downtown Wheeling last year has local officials already thinking of ways to expand its operations for 2020. Officials in the Ohio Valley are also looking for ways to combat blight. Belmont County’s “land bank” has been a tool to clear dilapidated structures, while Wheeling is making plans for its $30 million streetscape project. Meanwhile, Wheeling and several communities in Belmont County are trying to garner national attention by winning HGTV’s newest television program, “Home Town Takeover,” that would revitalize those municipalities. No winner of that contest has been announced yet.

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Farmers’ Markets Are Blooming in Ohio Valley By ALAN OLSON Staff Writer WHEELING — Farmers’ markets have been around for a while, but 2019 saw Wheeling come into its own, with the Grow Ohio Valley market opening its doors in downtown. Now approaching half a year in operation, outreach coordinator Catherine Schnur says the first few months have been a good indicator of future success. “It’s been really heartening, and really great, to have such positive feedback from the community. The times I’m around customers, ... they always have such positive, great things to say, and that’s such a great way to keep pushing yourself and keep focused,” Schnur said. In the coming year, Schnur said she hopes more local vendors will be interested in partnering with the market and sharing their goods at the downtown hub. “I know this project was a long

Photos by Alan Olson and Scott McCloskey

The Grow Ohio Valley Public Market is a hotbed for locally-grown produce and animal products locally.

A CLEARER VISION on Grow Ohio Valley: ∫ The Grow Ohio Valley market opened its doors in downtown Wheeling in 2019. ∫ Local officials hope more local vendors will be interested in partnering with the market at the downtown hub. ∫ The Wheeling market has begun doing community events. time coming, so I hope we’ll have a lot of people who weren’t prepared to provide us with things over the winter, that will next year,” she said. Please see MARKETS, Page 12

Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers – 3

Photo by Lenny Wittenbrook

This property on Pearl Street in Flushing is slated for action by the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp. using village funds that were left over from another land bank project.

Belmont ‘Land Bank’ Helping Communities Promote Development

By LENNY WITTENBROOK Staff Writer FLUSHING — When the Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp. was incorporated in 2014, its purpose was clear: help local communities promote economic and housing development while facilitating the rehabilitation, reclamation and reutilization of the many abandoned, vacant and tax-foreclosed properties in the county. After six years and many successes, the organization commonly referred to as the “land bank” faces the future with plenty of properties yet to be reclaimed, but needing a clearer vision about whether future funding is coming from the state. At a meeting held in December, land bank Chairwoman Kathy Kelich said the group

would continue its work in the county. “Our land bank has money to proceed with demolitions, and we will be doing so this coming year, even though money has dried up from the state,” she said. Concerning the funding needed to acquire and reclaim properties, Kelich, who is also Belmont County treasurer, said the land bank had around $160,000 from reimbursements, stressing that the money was not coming from the general fund. Action on one property in Flushing is actually being paid for by the village with money it made through the sale of the former Flushing school property to Dollar General in 2018. After the village sold the lower half of the school property to the retailer, that money was used in partnership with the

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land bank to raze the Flushing school buildings that had fallen into an unrecoverable state from years of neglect. Mayor Angelo Vincenzo and village council agreed to use the leftover money from that project to purchase and demolish other dilapidated structures in the village. Those properties will be sold once reclaimed, with proceeds going back to take on other similar projects. It was hoped from the beginning that the land bank could be a self-sustaining entity with properties being acquired, reclaimed and subsequently sold. Resulting revenue was to be cycled back through the system to repeat the process. The land bank was created to utilize funds made available by the state through the Ohio Neighborhood Improvement Program, which was enacted by

the Ohio Housing Commission to funnel funds to land banks in the state to help stem the downward spiral of housing values that began with the sub-prime mortgage financial disaster of 2008. That eventually brought about the situation in 2014 in which it was estimated that 31 percent of Ohio homeowners with loans owed at least 125 percent more than the estimated value of their properties. This negative equity combined with other factors to further depress property values, which in turn spiraled into a plague of vacant and blighted properties across the state. In addition to providing funds for demolition projects, the land bank helps communities clear blighted properties by cutting through the “red tape” and legal processes associated with acquiring and razing blighted properties.

A CLEARER VISION on Belmont County Land Bank: ∫ The Belmont County Land Reutilization Corp. continues to clean up dilapidated properties in area communities. ∫ State funding for the program has dried up, but money from reimbursements will allow the work to continue. ∫ The land bank helps with projects large and small, from acquiring property to razing structures and assisting with asbestos abatement.

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

User Fee Will Help Fund Infrastructure Projects Throughout Wheeling A CLEARER VISION on Wheeling’s User Fee: ∫ Revenue generated by a $2-per-week user fee imposed on all who work in the city will fund the work. ∫ Half of the fee will go toward funding the Public Safety Building and the other toward funding infrastructure projects throughout the city. ∫ Additional funding generated by the user fee will continue for the next 20-25 years.

By ERIC AYRES Staff Writer WHEELING — A number of different infrastructure projects throughout Wheeling are expected to be completed for many years to come through the use of revenue generated by the city’s new user fee. Although a primary function of the user fee will be to provide funds for a new Public Safety Building for the city’s police and fire department, the user fee will also help fund a number of priority projects in Wheeling. People who work in the city are being charged $2 per week to fund the user fee, which was implemented Jan. 1 of this year. The city originally attempted to pass a levy in November 2018 for the Public Safety Building. That levy garnered 54 percent of the vote in favor. However, West Virginia’s tax laws state that in order to approve an excess levy, at least 60 percent of the vote must be received. Thus, the levy failed despite the fact that a majority of voters gave it the nod. City council subsequently

A pickup truck drives over the crumbled pavement on Main Street in Wheeling.

took action to implement the user fee in order to move forward with the Public Safety Building. Of the $2 per week charged to each person working in the city, it is estimated that $1 of that will go toward funding the Public Safety Building and the other $1 will go toward funding infrastructure projects

throughout the city. “We have typically done infrastructure projects with cash carryover,” Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said. “We still have cash carryover, although it’s shrinking a little bit. The needs far exceed the money available, and this is additional funding to start ac-

complishing these projects that directly benefit neighborhoods and citizens.” With the new funding source coming, city council late last year through its public works committee went through a number of projects that have been on the books through staff recommendations. Those proj-

Photo by Scott McCloskey

ects were prioritized over the course of the next three to five years, and a number of projects were moved up the priority list for the next 12 months, Herron noted. “The public works committee’s recommendations were Please see USER FEE, Page 12

Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers – 5

Photos by Eric Ayres

Preliminary plans for the Wheeling streetscape project entail major improvements to the main thoroughfares in the downtown area. The full scope of the streetscape project and funding for the work are expected to be finalized this year.

A CLEARER VISION on Streetscape Project: ∫ The $30 million streetscape project has been in the works for several years. ∫ The streetscape project will include major upgrades on several streets and sidewalks in the historic downtown area. ∫ Some improvements include installation of new traffic signals, along with ADA compliant ramps, sidewalks and curbs.

Streetscape Project Lays Foundation Of Downtown Area’s Future

By ERIC AYRES Staff Writer WHEELING — Officials in the City of Wheeling are expected to get a clear picture in 2020 of the full scope and funding that will be needed for completion of the highly anticipated downtown streetscape project. Currently estimated to be a $30 million improvement, the streetscape project has been in the works over the past few years, and city leaders are con-

fident plans for this endeavor will take a big step forward this year. Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron explained that the streetscape project will entail major upgrades not only on several streets and sidewalks in the historic downtown area, but also above and below the pavement as well. Deemed a “complete streets project,” the streetscape plan involves downtown sections of Main Street from Ninth Street

to 16th Street, 16th Street from Main Street to Eoff Street, and Market Street from 16th Street to 10th Street. Smaller sections of Eoff and Chapline streets will also be included as part of the project. The planned improvements include installation of new traffic signals, ramps compliant with Americans with Disability Act regulations, ADA compliant sidewalks and curbs, bioswales for stormwater retention, bump-outs at intersec-

tions for traffic calming, new pavement, sewer separation on Market Street and potentially the replacement of a water main line on Main Street. “Just look at the condition of the streets and sidewalks and the need for sewer separation throughout the city, which is well-known. We have a longterm control plan that identifies $150 million worth of sewer separations,” Herron said, Please see PROJECT, Page 6

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Project (Continued from Page 5)

noting that separation of sanitary and storm sewers along Main Street was completed last year, and the same work is expected to take place along Market Street as part of the streetscape project. “Those are urban areas that create a tremendous amount of storm water runoff because of pavement surfaces and building roofs. That runoff will now be taken out of the sanitary sewer and be put into a storm sewer. And the traffic signals are antiquated. They need upgraded. “So this project is long overdue.” According to the city manager, the sewer separation project work on Market Street will enable intersections to be improved at 14th Street and 12th Street, but most significantly at the corner of Market and 16th streets. “Catch basins will be moved back because trucks coming down 16th Street going onto Market Street go overtop of the curb,” he said. “They can’t make the turn, so that intersection is going to be widened.” Wheeling’s downtown streetscape project is being administered by the West Virginia Division of Highways with input and assistance from the city of Wheeling.

“About three and a half years ago, there was an agreement between the city and the DOH that it would be an $8.7 million project, and the city would contribute $2 million as its local match,” Herron said. Since the initial plans were developed, the engineering work helped reveal much more detailed scope of the work needed to complete the project, including more focus on the signalization as well as more detailed plans needed to address existing structures that lie beneath the surfaces of the downtown streets. “Wheeling is a very old community,” Herron said. “There are 38 vaults underneath the sidewalks in the public right of way in front of buildings. For example, if you walk in front of the Capitol Theatre on the sidewalk where the stars are, there’s a vault there. You’re actually walking over somebody’s office.” Herron said through the years, many of those old vaults have been systematically eliminated through either development by private property owners or by past street projects. “We’ve done detailed work on vaults,” Herron said. “There are 38 remaining. The majority of

them can be filled in, and that’s part of the streetscape project, but some of them cannot because there are meters and electrical services, so they’ll be bridged. So the goal, hopefully, is to eliminate as many of those as we can, but we’re not going to be able to eliminate all of them.” Engineering for the project is led by two teams —WallacePancher of St. Clairsville, which is responsible for the sidewalks, ADA ramps, paving and sewer separation; and national company HDR, which is responsible for the traffic signals. Over the past six weeks, traffic counts were performed at all of the affected intersections in anticipation of the traffic signalization component of the streetscape project. Looking ahead through the coming months of this year, Herron said the scope of the project and the funding for the work are expected to be finalized. Infrastructure work underground will need to be completed before final touches to the surface can proceed. “Right now, we have a 20-inch water main that goes down Main Street that has broke several times,” he said. “It was installed in 1889. That’s an old water line. We’re

going to replace that in advance of the streetscape.” The DOH has agreed to fund the vast majority of the streetscape project, Herron said, noting that the city presently is putting the final pieces of the puzzle together to finalize funding. The city issued tax increment financing — or a TIF bond — three years ago to secure fund-

ing for the city’s match. “At this point, as of today, we’re headed in the right direction to have this project out to bid approximately this time next year,” Herron said. “We anticipate the design to be completed on signalization and the streetscape itself in July.” Considering all the different components to the overall project, the street-

scape itself is expected to cost about $25 million, with an additional $4 million for the water main replacement on Main Street and another $1 million for the sanitary sewer lining on Market Street. Although the scope of the project may change until plans are finalized later this year, it remains to be a project valued at about $30 million.

1-877-DRY FOR U Photo by Eric Ayres

Improvements are in the works for the downtown area in the City of Wheeling. The streetscape project is expected to bring new pavement, curbs, sidewalks, traffic signals and more to the downtown area, including major sewer separation

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers – 7

Downtown Living on Upswing in Wheeling

File Photo

Boury Lofts apartments opened in 2017.

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By LINDA COMINS Staff Writer The Stone Center Lofts and Boury Lofts are leading the way in a resurgence of downtown living in Wheeling’s repurposed spaces. Since opening in 2017, the two apartment complexes have remained full or at near capacity, with waiting lists of prospective tenants. The Woda Cooper Companies Inc. owns and manages both facilities. The Stone Center Lofts are located in a portion of the former Stone & Thomas department store building, 1025 Market St., which has been renovated for offices, living quarters and an outpatient medical clinic. The Boury Lofts occupy the former Boury Inc. warehouse at 16th and Main streets. “We have 100 percent occupancy at Boury Lofts and I have an enormous waiting list. At the Stone Center, we have one opening,” said Alyson Dellget, community manager for both sites. Dellget, who joined the company in October, said she learned from the previous property manager that a lot of vacancies occurred when Ohio Valley Medical Center closed in September. However, she said, “It was easy to get them filled back up pretty quickly. “I’ve moved in 10 different units since I’ve been there. A lot of that was with the transition of OVMC closing,” she said. A number of tenants have lived at Boury Lofts since it opened in 2017. Many intend to be long-

A CLEARER VISION on Downtown Living: ∫ The Stone Center Lofts and Boury Lofts opened in Wheeling in 2017. ∫ Upscale apartments can also be found in the Flatiron building, which opened in 2018. ∫ Another location is the McLain Apartments at the corner of 12th and Eoff streets. term residents. “They have waited so long to get in, they’re not going anywhere,” she said. The resurgence of downtown living is leading to the development of other businesses which, in turn, attract people who want to reside in urban settings. “Having the Flatiron Coffee Shop and the Public Market are fantastic additions to downtown, especially for residents,” Dellget said. “There hadn’t been anything really like that downtown. It’s a great addition for the residents and the community.” Residents like living and working in the downtown area. “We have a lot of people who work close by, a lot who walk to work. They enjoy the convenience of not having to commute,” she said. Please see LIVING Page 13

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Project Forward Working To Keep City Moving Ahead

By SHELLEY HANSON Staff Writer MARTINS FERRY — The Project Forward group was born from the ashes of the devastating downtown business district fire that occurred in Martins Ferry in 2016. The blaze, which started in the Winters hardware store and spread to other buildings, took out several businesses, leaving a hole in the city. The cause could not be determined by the state fire marshal. But city officials were not going to let the fire keep Martins Ferry down. Then-mayor Robert Krajnyak formed a group that began meeting with stakeholders in the community, including downtown business owners, to figure out how to revitalize the city following the fire. The group’s original name was the Downtown Business Revitalization Committee, but later was renamed Project Forward. The new moniker was the brainchild of the late John “Sweet Chuck” Schorr, owner of Hot Rod Tattooing, who died in January after a battle with cancer. The group has meetings and brainstormed. Their first endeavors were small but impactful — a weekly farmers market that featured vegetables grown by local farmers, in addition to artwork, handmade goods and other items for sale. There was also music and a food truck. The market was a way to showcase the city and also help the small business owner get some exposure. Project Forward then came up with a new, larger way to showcase the city — Winterfest. The two-day affair was held in conjunction with the annual Christmas parade, but provided a festival-like atmosphere. Live music, micro-

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The Rev. William Webster, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church in Martins Ferry and a Project Forward member, poses with just a few of the 400 pounds of strawberries prepared for shortcake desserts that will be served during a past Strawberry Festival in Martins Ferry. File photo

brews and football games on under-tent TVs were available for the adult crowd, while games and visits with Santa Claus were slated for the children attending. After more brainstorming, the group decided it would be a good idea to bring back a beloved event once held in the city years ago. The Strawberry Festival was revived and held on Fourth Street in June 2018. It was deemed such a success it was held again last year. It offered strawberry shortcakes, along with other food vendors, music, games, inflatables and more. Thanks to the money raised during their events, Project Forward kicked off a new micro-grant program aimed at making the business district more welcoming and eye

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the events were held in the downtown.” Webster said the group continues to make new plans for the city. “It’s a great group to work with. It’s a great team. I have great officers who support me,” he said. In addition to Webster, other officers include Vice President Paul Stecker, Secretary Katie Kengall and Treasurer Anthony Orsini. Since that big fire in 2016, the holes left behind have begun to fill in. The Dance Factory recently constructed a new studio on two of those lots, and a new microbrewery is expected to open soon at the former First Ward Restaurant location. One open lot remains between those two businesses.

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers – 9

Photos by Carri Graham

Dozens of Martins Ferry community members come together in January in hopes of receiving a community makeover from the television program HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover.” Community officials are hoping to revitalize the historic town. Other local cities and villages, including Morristown, Barnesville, Belmont and Wheeling, also are vying to be featured on the program.

Officials Looking to Revitalize Areas of Belmont County

By CARRI GRAHAM Staff Writer ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County officials are attempting to revitalize various areas of the county as they seek a clearer vision of ways to bring more residents back to the region. Many members of the community are pulling together to clean up their hometowns. In an attempt to revitalize local cities and villages, officials in some municipalities submitted applications to HGTV’s newest television program “Home Town Takeover” last month. HGTV is known for its home renovation projects; however, in the upcoming series, the channel promises to “take over” the winning municipality and provide it with a community makeover. The city of Matins Ferry is one of the participating communities. Officials recently prepared and submitted their application to the show in hopes of winning the makeover contest and restoring their city to its former glory. Project Forward, a group organized to help

A CLEARER VISION on Ohio’s Downtowns: ∫ Several communities are vying to receive a makeover from HGTV’s “Home Town Takeover.” ∫ Historic structures and districts within local communities merge with modern conveniences. ∫ Residents of some cities and villages are forming groups to revive and upgrade their communities.

the city’s downtown recover from a 2016 fire that destroyed several businesses, organized the submission last month with dozens of elected officials, law enforcement, first responders and residents behind the group. The Rev. William Webster, pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church and Project Forward president, said the group as-

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The Belmont County Courthouse in St. Clairsville is home to many offices where county officials say they are attempting to revitalize some areas of local communities and bring back pride and residents.

pires to revive the historic city. “We want to show them (HGTV) that we, as a community, have a historic past, an active present and a promising future,” he said in a previous statement. “We’re resilient and looking

forward. There’s a lot of history here. We’ve gone through a lot of pain the last few years; we’ve lost the steel mill, the closing of (East Ohio Regional Hospital), the Fourth Street fire in 2016. But we’re still here and looking forward.”

Other communities in Eastern Ohio that also provided submissions include Bellaire, Bridgeport, Shadyside, Barnesville, Belmont and Steubenville. Please see BELMONT, Page 13

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10 – The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers

Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Photos by Scott McCloskey

Built in 1927-28, the Capitol Theatre is owned by the The Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau and managed by the Greater Wheeling Sports Entertainment Authority.

Capitol Theatre a Local Success Story By SCOTT McCLOSKEY Staff Writer WHEELING —The Capitol Theatre continues to be a local success story, according to local officials. “Last year was a great year,” said Denny Magruder, executive director of the Greater Wheeling Sports Entertainment Authority. “It was probably, overall in terms of attendance, finances and positive success, was the best year yet.” The Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which owns the theater that was built in 1927-28, held a mortgage burning ceremony last June after paying off the $1.9 million loan it received in 2009 to purchase the theater. The City of Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority continues to operate the theater since the purchase. Despite a lot of early concerns following the purchase of the theater — such as building fire code violations and financial concerns — Magruder said members of

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the entertainment authority, along with Frank O’Brien, executive director of the County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and bureau board members, sat down and outlined a number of goals and objectives to accomplish over the next 10-year span with the historic venue. “We’ve exceeded every one of those in that 10 years,” Magruder explained, who pointed out that there’s really “no ending” point when it comes to ongoing development of a historic theater. “When we looked at our list of heavy duty priorities, we achieved them all more quickly than we dreamed and that wasn’t because of us. It was because of the media, because of community support. Everything just fell in place and I think the local community loves and appreciates their theater. And I say ‘their theater’ because now corporate America no longer controls that theater, it is controlled locally,” he added. In September 2009, the theater re-

opened after the CVB purchased the facility from Live Nation and since then it has received more than $5.4 million in donations from the private sector, state and federal grants and money through the Visitors Bureau to improve the facility, according to O’Brien. Some of the many renovations to the facility included repairing the ballroom roof, adding new seats and making the theater Americans with Disabilities Act compliant. More than 500,000 people have attended shows at the theater since it reopened, resulting in an estimated $30 million in spending in the city, according to O’Brien. An economic impact study was conducted before the CVB purchased the Capitol in September 2009. The study projected that if they could get 50,000 people a year to attend events, it would have a $3-$5 million direct economic impact on Wheeling and Ohio County.

A CLEARER VISION on Capitol Theatre: ∫ The Capitol Theater was built in 1927-28. ∫ In September 2009, the theater reopened after the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau purchased the facility from Live Nation. ∫ A “mortgage burning” ceremony was held last June after the $1.9 million loan taken out in 2009 to purchase the theater was paid.

Please see CAPITOL, Page 11

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The image is only a reference

Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers – 11

Capitol (Continued from Page 10)

While they have accomplished all of their initial goals for the structure, Magruder said they are now planning to renovate the entire “fly” system, which is the theatrical rigging system of the theater that allows them to handle heavy duty sound and light systems. “The fly system is original. It was installed in 1928. ... Shows have changed very dramatically from 1928 to 2020. So we’re trying to keep up with that,” Magruder commented. In addition, he said they hope to address

some plumbing issues in the near future as well. Magruder said if you look at the list of quality shows the theater is now hosting — it kind of speaks for itself. He said the theater continues to be a local success story. “Little did we dream when we first opened that theater, how tough it was going to be to get a Broadway show. We just completed 10 seasons of five Broadway shows a year and there’s been a couple of standalones,” Magruder explained. “I think people are getting comfortable

now that the theater is a real first class theater,” he added. Magruder said it’s amazing the number of nationally known artists who have commented both publicly and privately about the Capitol being such a quality venue. He said singer-songwriter Lou Christie, best known for a string pop hits in the 1960s, stopped in the middle of singing one of his most famous songs “Lightnin’ Strikes” during a visit to the theater and commented on the facility being such a wonderful venue.

Magruder said country music legend Willie Nelson referred to the theater as being “One of my favorite houses in America.” “Ten years ago, we were lucky enough to get the Capitol reopened and

there was no Health Plan building on Main Street. I will tell you part of the reason the Health Plan and Main Street development occurred is because people looked at the Capitol and said, ‘Wow, the lights are on again. The

gateway is open again.’ And we’ve been told that by some of the people who made the decisions,” Magruder explained. “Knowing that makes you feel really good. ... It’s part of the the rebirth of downtown.”

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12 – The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers

Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

User Fee (Continued from Page 4)

sent to city council and were just recently passed,” he said. “At least in the short term, projects that have been identified are focusing on bridges that the city owns — the Baker Street Bridge and Schilling Bridge (in Elm Grove) — and a number of road slips that we have for the

first year,” Herron said. Other projects will be identified in the future and prioritized as money generated by the user fee becomes available, and the money on hand could be used for emergency projects that arise unexpectedly. This additional funding gen-

erated by the user fee will continue for the next 20-25 years, Herron said, until the debt service on the Public Safety Building is paid off. Unless a future city council decides to reinstitute the user fee, it will sunset after the debt is paid. Unlike the funding plan for

the Public Service Building, the city is not expected to borrow any money in order to complete these infrastructure projects being funded through user fee revenues. “It’s a pay-as-you-go scenario,” Herron said. “Those funds will accumulate before projects

are completed. It’s not anticipated that we’ll see any debt. “For the next 1-3 years, we know what we’re doing in terms of projects that have been prioritized, but those could change depending on what presents itself in the future.”

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The Grow Ohio Valley Public Market is a hotbed for locally-grown produce and animal products locally.

Markets (Continued from Page 2)

“Hopefully getting bigger and better, hopefully getting more customers into the store.” Schnur said the Wheeling market has begun doing community events, which she hopes will draw new faces to the market. Around Christmas, an eggnog-making demonstration — dairy and dairy-free — and a free gingerbread event was also held. “I’d like more of those, and make this more into a community space for everyone in the Ohio

Valley,” Schnur said. While winter represents the off-season for many growers, others come through the market year-round, such as chickens raised at The Blended Homestead. Eric Blend, co-owner of The Blended Homestead, sees the industry experiencing a slower rate of growth nationwide, but locally, new opportunities. “I believe that, what we’re seeing now, nationwide, (growth) is slowing down, because those peo-

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ple who started farmers’ markets 10 years ago are evolving to new farm-totable things, delivering wholesale things. There’s still a challenge of not getting quality vendors. “But around here, there’s a sort of a void. With a lot of people going to The Highlands, that might make it a good place to open a new location.” In January, Blend spoke before the Ohio County Commission, seeking the board’s blessing to pursue the opening of a new farmers’ market at The Highlands. Blend’s idea was a once-a-week business set up in the parking lot of Cabela’s, and while he wasn’t sure how amenable the sports outfitter would be, he saw great potential for the concept, and in tapping potential customers who don’t make the trip to the Grow OV market in Wheeling. “I believe The Highlands could be very valuable, and I believe there’s traffic coming through now that doesn’t go downtown,” he said last month.

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers – 13

Belmont (Continued from Page 9)

Several of those communities have downtown districts where some shopping and services are available. Belmont, a village of just over 400 people, once had a bustling business district. Today, however, it is mainly a residential community with only a handful of active businesses, including Belmont Mills, Tyre Boyz, Annie’s Sweet Treats

and a field office for natural gas producer EQT Corp. In addition to applying to HGTV, a group of residents there are forming a new nonprofit called “Build Up Belmont” in hopes of obtaining grants and donations to complete projects such as sidewalk replacements, dressing up the entrances to the village and more. In Barnesville, the village has invested about

$650,000 in the old Bohandy building at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets in the heart of the downtown. Originally, plans called for Barnesville Hospital to lease the structure to set up an addiction rehabilitation facility, but those plans changed in recent weeks. However, village leaders still believe the building is worth preserving and that a good use can be

Mayor Glenn Elliott said developer Steve Coon of Canton, Ohio, has secured out-of-town funding for a $30 million project to transform the Schmulbach Building, in the 1100 block of Market Street, into a residential and retail complex. Coon hopes to get started this year, the mayor said. Work is being done to stabilize the former

Marsh Wheeling Stogies building, in the 900 block of Main Street, in which Coon has interest for a residential and commercial project, Elliott said. In the private sector, Klos Towers at 1207 Main St. was purchased a few months ago by a New York man who is looking at residential housing options, the mayor said.

found for it. The village undertook a similar project several years ago, buying and rehabilitating the old Bradfield building, which had served as a late 19th century bank, and later as a G.C. Murphy store and

then as a bank once more. Today it houses the Ohio Hills Health Service. Other revitalization projects underway or already complete in some local Ohio downtowns include: work on “The Loop” section of

Shadyside; a new memorial plaza and clock tower in Bethesda; installation of a gazebo in Yorkville; updates to the Courthouse Plaza in St. Clairsville; and efforts to develop the area around the old Stone Viaduct in Bellaire.

Living (Continued from Page 7)

For example, one new tenant at Boury Lofts previously spent over two hours on his daily commute. “He was thrilled with being so close. It’s really convenient for a lot of people,” Dellget said. The downtown apartment complexes attract residents from all age ranges and in various occupations. “I have a pretty broad spectrum of tenants, from a young family to an elderly couple in their 90s,” she said. “We have a couple of individuals doing residency programs (at Wheeling Hospital). We have couples, singles, families. I really have a pretty good mix.” Occupants of Boury Lofts include players from the Wheeling Nailers hockey team. “The guys have been great. They’ve all been very nice, very courteous. They have been a pleasure,” the community manager said. “Coach (Mike) Bavis is fabulous. He’s been really great.” More tenants are being drawn to downtown living at other sites that have opened recently. Upscale apartments can be found in the Flatiron building, 1507 Main St., which opened in 2018. Owner Kevin Duffin oversaw a major renovation of the long-vacant structure. Another popular spot is the McLain Apartments, located in a renovated building at the corner of 12th and Eoff streets. Additional projects are being contemplated by other developers. Speaking at the annual Preservation Forum in January, Wheeling

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14 – The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers

Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Helping W.Va. Downtown Districts Stay In the Loop By ALAN OLSON Staff Writer WHEELING — The county seats of Ohio and Marshall counties are proud of their historic heritage and are taking steps to ensure that their downtown areas are well curated as time goes by. Wheeling Heritage Director of Operations Alex Weld said Wheeling’s businesses benefit from the organization’s efforts, which span the entirety of Wheeling. This includes assisting prospective business owners by providing architectural design work and other supplementary services at no cost. “Anytime someone downtown calls us and says, ‘I’m starting to renovate and I don’t know where to start,’ we’ll show up, help them work on whatever they need help with,” Weld said, adding that as many as 10 businesses have utilized this service in the last year. “That’s a really big thing that people don’t know that we do, this Design Assistance program. Any architectural renderings or historical color schemes, anything with a tie to architecture, even if it’s just asking us about historic preservation tax credits, we’ll help them through the process.”

A CLEARER VISION on West Virginia Downtowns: ∫ Moundsville’s city leaders have said they’re planning a facade improvement program to improve the look of buildings in the city’s historic downtown district. ∫ Wheeling Heritage is gearing up to endorse more artistic endeavors in the area, working alongside the numerous talented local artists to beautify more of the city. ∫ Moundsville is planning to set aside money for the Historic Landmarks Commission to improve and maintain historical markers around the city. Please see DOWNTOWN, Page 15

Photo by Alan Olson

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Main Street in Wheeling is home to numerous new businesses to draw people into town.

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Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers – 15

Downtown (Continued from Page 15)

Wheeling Heritage is able to provide these services due to the in-house work experience of Historic Preservation Program Manager Betsy Sweeny. Actual architectural work is provided through the national Main Street America program. Weld also said that Wheeling Heritage is gearing up to endorse more artistic endeavors in the area, working alongside the numerous talented local artists to beautify more of the city, alongside the city’s planned Streetscape infrastructure project. “For the first time in our budget, we have set aside funds to focus on public art in the community,” Weld said. “We know that’s super important with the streetscape happening soon downtown, and there are so many other organizations who want to be involved in the creation of public art, and we have a ton of artists here. So for the first time, we set aside funding and said, this is important enough that we need to highlight it. We’ll be doing a significant amount of public art (works) this year.” Weld said no plans were currently concrete, but one possible outlet was the creation of an art gallery at the Wheeling Heritage facility, which would display the art of local and re-

gional artists with a variety of art installations and themes. In Moundsville, businesses come and go, but buildings rarely sit vacant for long. Laura Francis, president of the Uptown Moundsville Activities Committee, which represents numerous small businesses along Jefferson Avenue, and proprietor of Buried Treasures, says she sees businesses change location, expand, and their old homes take on new life regularly. “None of the buildings are staying empty after someone moves and finds a new location. They’re always being replaced,” Francis said. Francis added that she credited the steady business to the attractive atmosphere of the downtown area. Moundsville’s city leaders have said they’re planning a facade improvement program to improve the look of buildings in the city’s historic downtown district, using proceeds from the city’s 1 percent sales tax, which brings in around $2 million per year. City Manager Rick Healy said the program hasn’t been formalized yet, but would be a fund for store owners to beautify their businesses. “We’ll be having a workshop in March to design that pro-

Late afternoon traffic filters through Moundsville’s downtown district.

gram,” Healy said in mid-February. “It would be a pot of money that would be available for businesses to borrow at a low rate, or to get grants from us, to update storefronts. ... There’s a lot to be worked out.

We don’t know if it’s something to be done city-wide or just downtown.” Healy also said the city is planning to set aside money for the Historic Landmarks Commission to improve and main-

Photo by Alan Olson

tain historical markers around the city. “We’ve allocated about 2 percent (of the sales tax) to go to those kinds of things, and that will be allotted as long as council wants to.”

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16 – The Intelligencer/News-Register, Times Leader, Wetzel/Tyler Newspapers

Progress

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

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Photo Booths

Brandon Essington - 740-298-3727 , essingtoncreative.com

Stacy Gilson -304-281-7789, www.ohsnapohiovalley.com Kyle Mac -740-238-2103 , smashweddings.net

Venues

Hair and Makeup Artists

Mike Duplaga - 304-232-7917, www.generationswhq.com Shari Irwin - 304-232-0300 , sales@mclurehotelwheeling.com Gigi Zelewicz - 304-233-5566 , undos.com Jay Wallace - 304-233-4555, www.rivercitybanguets.com Melissa Wallace - 304-243-4186 , mwallace@oglebay.com Heather Stitt - 7 40-968-0955 ext. 3 Zion Retreat RV Park Tricia Goode- 304-551-2308, capes tiaras.com

Gourmet Food Truck

Stacy Gilson - 304-281-7789 ,hellogorgeousfullbridalservice.com

Wellness and Beauty

Rochelle St Myers - 304-242-2639, rejuvnenationcenter.info

Balloon and Clown Artists

Jennifer Staley 304-238-8585, beyondballoons@outlook.com

Wedding Cakes, Cookies, and Cupcakes

Thomas Gilson -304-780-4858, thecheesemelt@gmail.com

Trista Rager 304-830-2112, SweetNotes13@gmail.com Bobbi Fahey 304-551-1186 , bobbifahey@gmail.com

Entertainment. Disc Jockeys, Lighting Expert, Decor

Gourmet Cookies and Caramel Apples

Ted Williams - 740-310-9546, Ted@twocancom.com Kyle McConnaughy -740-238-2103, smashweddings.net

Floral Artists, Professional Decorators

Gina Hedrick 304-845-7497 , ginahedrick@comcast.net Kara Hall - 304-281-7789 , hellogorgeousfullbridalservice.com

Travel and Destination Weddings

Lisa White 304-639-6612, lisa@westwindtravelservice.com

Custom Alterations

Carol Barlow - 304-224-9682 , casuba717@gmail.com

Fashion & Bridal

Christine Muldrew - 304-242-3500, Suzannesfashionandbridal.com

Theresa Childers 7 40-579-1541, theresa@giorgiocookies.com Jacquie Jochumsen -304-280-8863, jacquie1230@me.com

Limousine Service

Renee Dorsey- 304-232-1175 , www.wheelinglimo.com

Event Rental Supplier

Lisa Martin -304-232-2133, lisamartin247@aol.com

Print and Design

Steve George -304-233-7433, sgeorqe@rsgp.net

Caterers

Bob Bailey - (304) 242-2811, www.asyoulikeitcaters.com

www.wveventpros.com (304)281-7789 “Providing a one stop experience for all events, all sizes”