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WHEELING -- The city will focus on improving its neighborhoods and completing downtown projects in 2019, Vice Mayor Chad Thalman said.
Council is set to meet Wednesday for its first meeting of the new year. Thalman said the planned $19 million streetscaping project and the restoration of the former Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel building downtown will be top priorities.
"Whether it's improving our underground infrastructure, paving our roads or replacing playground equipment, every neighborhood in Wheeling has seen an investment over the last several years," Thalman said. "We will work to continue to make those investments in 2019."
Thalman said there are a number of downtown projects the city hopes to get "over the goal line" in the new year. City officials are optimistic that construction work will begin on converting the 12-story Schmulbach Building, the former headquarters of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp., into an apartment building this year.
The city has been working with developer Coon Restoration and Sealants to rehabilitate the building for more than a year. The company has plans to invest about $30 million into the building to make 116 residential units, with commercial or retail space on its lower floors, Thalman said.
The project would take about two years to complete once started, he added. The city also plans to build a new parking garage across from the building to accommodate for downtown growth.
"If downtown momentum continues to move forward, we may begin building the garage in 2019," Thalman said.
Another project that may begin this year is the city's streetscaping project, estimated to cost $19 million, which would improve streets and sidewalks downtown. Though the city did not receive the $10 million in federal grant funding for the project it had hoped to in December, Thalman said the project could begin this coming fall.
In addition, city officials are still discussing ways to gain additional space and more modern facilities for the city's fire and police departments, Thalman said, after a levy to build a public safety building failed to get the 60 percent of the vote it needed to pass in November's election.
"Not only do they deserve 21st century facilities, but the residents of Wheeling spoke loud and clear in the last election when almost 54 percent of the voters said they want to see an upgrade in our public safety buildings," Thalman said.
Another project to improve Wheeling's downtown will be up for consideration at Wednesday's council meeting. Members will decide whether to give a grant through its Facade Improvement Program to the Maxwell Center, 32 20th St.
The city program, which provides up to $15,000 to improve the face of downtown structures, has approved eight grants since it began in the spring of 2017.
The city is also still accepting resumes for the 3rd Ward council seat after Councilman Brian Wilson announced in December that he would be resigning to accept a new job in Louisiana. Council will interview top candidates in early January and could vote on the replacement as early as Jan. 15, Thalman said.
Council will also consider 11 traffic rules, including one to extend parking meter hours to a five-hour limit in front of 1902 Market St. The body meets at noon Wednesday in its chambers at 1500 Chapline St.