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City Moves Ahead With TIF Application

Weirton Council has authorized the submission of an application for Tax Increment Financing funding as part of a proposed business project within the Park Drive development area.

The resolution to submit the application to the state Development Office was approved Monday by a vote of 6-0. Ward 7 Councilman Terry Weigel did not attend the meeting.

The Park Drive development includes a total of 72 acres now owned by the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle. The first phase of the plan calls for the construction of four commercial buildings and a hotel.

Phase one of the project is for a “10-acre entertainment district,” with $10,348,000 in public investments planned. This includes $1,174,000 in U.S. Economic Development Administration funds and a $1,174,000 local cash match. Those funds, if the project is approved by the state, will be put toward roads, water and sewer, and other infrastructural development.

The remaining $8 million investment is part of a convention center proposed by the city, which must go through a separate application and a bonding process, said City Manager Travis Blosser.

An additional $16.6 million in private investments is expected for the project, according to projections from the BDC. The project could create up to 250 jobs.

Phase two, to be developed later, includes a “62-acre advanced manufacturing park” with $25 million in investments and the possibility of up to 400 jobs.

The full proposal can be viewed online at the city’s website, www.cityofweirton.com.

Council also accepted comments from residents as part of a public hearing held during Monday’s meeting. The hearing is required for the application process.

David Cline, a former member of council, asked for more information on the project and if the TIF funds are available.

Mayor Harold Miller explained the TIF district was established in 2004, and has been generating funding ever since. TIF funds, Miller said, previously were used to assist in the development of the Pietro Fiorentini site under construction in the city.

Blosser explained details on the project are available on the city website.

“It’s a 98-page document,” Blosser said.

John Barone said that although he isn’t opposed to the development, he would like more details focusing in particular on the proposed convention center. He also said he could not find information on the sale of the property to the BDC.

“Where is the transparency?” Barone asked.

Patrick Ford, executive director of the BDC, thanked council and the city administration for their efforts to see the project move forward.

“This is just one more example of the success we’ve had from working together,” Ford said.

Ford also introduced representatives of Park Drive Development LLC, which previously owned the property. They included Michael Simon, Jason Backel and J.J. Bernabei.

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