Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott: City ‘Strong and Getting Stronger’
Trending
WHEELING -- Mayor Glenn Elliott outlined plans to improve Wheeling's neighborhoods and encourage downtown development at his third State of the City address Tuesday.
In his speech, Elliott highlighted city efforts to improve infrastructure in neighborhoods and spoke on issues relevant to downtown development, such as the rehabilitation of the former Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel building, plans for a parking garage that would accompany the project and the future of a proposed public safety building.
"As we convene here today in February of 2019, the state of the city of Wheeling is strong and getting stronger each and every day," Elliott said to a crowded ballroom of residents, businesspeople and officials at Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack.
Toward the beginning of his speech, Elliott focused on Wheeling's neighborhoods, recognizing efforts such as its online Wheeling 311 non-emergency request system, work to expedite code enforcement and $1 million for 44 paving projects approved by the city last fall.
"We are fortunate to have many proud, thriving neighborhoods in the city of Wheeling. But even some of the healthiest can show their age," Elliott said. "Properties are not being uniformly maintained. Many of our streets, and the sewer infrastructure underneath them, demand attention. … While there are no simple solutions to any of these issues, we recognize that the city needs to take a proactive stance."
Elliott pointed to the city's sewer improvement plan as an example of that. City Council approved $10 million for the first phase of a total $28 million plan to improve sewer lines across Wheeling's neighborhoods in December.
"Neighborhoods cannot grow and thrive in the 21st century with underground infrastructure in some cases dating to the 19th," he said.
Elliott also mentioned council's efforts regarding improving neighborhood playgrounds. The city dedicated nearly $400,000 to renovating 11 of Wheeling's 22 playgrounds during the past two years, he said, with more improvements planned for playgrounds in Fulton, Pleasanton and on North 24th Street in Warwood later this year.
Later on, Elliott spoke on issues relevant to downtown development, such as a $19 million downtown streetscaping project slated to begin later this year and work being done in conjunction with Wheeling Heritage, such as a proposed Wheeling history museum.
"Our goal is ambitious: We want to restore downtown's status as a destination in and of itself," Elliott said. "The city must do its part and make investments in infrastructure necessary for development while continuing to use partnerships to catalyze more private-sector investment in downtown."
The city is still working with a developer, Ohio-based Coon Restoration and Sealants, that intends to rehabilitate the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel building to into a facility with more than 100 residential units, Elliott said. He argued that such market-rate housing would help revitalize downtown.
"As we gather here today, the developer of the Wheeling-Pitt Building is pursuing financing to proceed with the project," Elliott said. "If the developer opts to move forward, City Council needs to be prepared to act."
Elliott then spoke of the city's negotiations with owners of parking lots across the street from the Wheeling-Pitt building to build an accompanying parking structure. That structure would cost approximately $11 million to build and include a lease agreement with the lots' owners, according to a draft memorandum of understanding.
"Nothing, and I repeat, nothing, in this regard has been agreed to by anyone acting on behalf of the city," Elliott said. "Our negotiations regarding the proposed parking garage are preliminary and open to further discussion. The only thing we know for sure at this point is that without a new parking structure, there will be no Wheeling-Pitt Lofts. Not now, and perhaps not ever."
Elliott said he believes "doing nothing" regarding the Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel building could result in it being demolished.
Additionally, Elliott discussed Wheeling's fire and police departments' needs for better facilities and the city's plans to build a public safety building, a tax levy for which failed last November. Though the city is still considering a $22 million facility proposed last year, Elliott said he asked City Manager Robert Herron to reconsider alternative sites for new facilities.
"I expect his recommendation in the coming weeks and hope that it will give City Council enough information to act on a solution," Elliott said.
Elliott also spoke on a user fee that the city is considering enacting to pay for new public safety facilities. The fee would tax those who work in Wheeling each week, such that a $1 user fee would cost people $52 a year.
"City Council understands the tough choices in front of us," Elliott said. "If and when we consider a user fee to finance improved facilities for our first responders, you can expect a healthy and thorough debate within this body with every member voting his or her conscience. This is, after all, what we signed up for."
Also at the 10th annual address by a Wheeling mayor, Elliott recognized Wheeling residents for their efforts in helping the city. Among them were:
∫ Former Mayor Nick Sparachane, who received the Gateway Award for his work with City Council from 2000 to 2008 to attract investment in downtown.
∫ The late Robert "Scat" Scatterday, former race director for the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic who received the Community Spirit Award for his service on behalf of the Wheeling community.
∫ Kathleen Wack, honored for raising more than $225,000 for a new playground installation at Woodsdale Elementary School.
∫ Matt Rafa and Julie Davis, honored for their work on Grow Warwood Pride to start community projects.
∫ Jim Pennington, president and CEO of The Health Plan, honored for his dedication to helping with revitalization efforts downtown.
∫ Susan Haddad, founder and owner of restaurant Later Alligator, honored for her business's unique contribution to Wheeling's downtown.
∫ Dr. Gregory Merrick, a urologic oncologist, honored for his work running the Cancer Research Classic basketball tournament.