Bid Process to Start for Warwood Mall
By JOSELYN KING Staff WriterArticle Photos
Ground could be broken for a proposed strip mall in Warwood as soon as next month, according to the project's architect.
And depending on how the process goes, the retail center could be in operation by year's end, said Darin Agostini, president of Maracon Inc. of Uniontown, Pa.
He noted that bids for site work are set to go out this coming week or early the following week. After this, top soil at the site will be removed.
It was in March that the Wheeling Planning Commission gave its approval to Maracon for the construction of a strip mall in Warwood north of the Centre Foundry and Machine Co. on Warwood Avenue.
"Everything is still moving forward, but it's slower than expected," Agostini said. "We've had a couple of hiccups. For a couple of tenants, we had to change the site around. But we're in good shape now.
"There were a couple of hurdles, and we learned of some conditions - causing us to do some redesign with the layout of the parking lots. We're just making sure everybody is happy and it all works."
Maracon's plans now call for the construction of two buildings on the property one measuring 25,000 square feet and the other, 11,000. A grocery store, a discount retailer, a fast food restaurant and six strip stores are included in the development.
Agostini further explained the need for the site work.
"There is some unsuitable soil on the site," he said. "We're going to have to cut it out and fill it in."
The proposed development would be placed on land that was once a riverbed, and the ground there is soft, according to Agostini.
"Someone brought in fill and laid it on top," he continued. "There's a little sponginess to the soil. We want to take it off and put a 4-foot layer on top. This would give it a stable condition."
As the site work is being done, the building drawings will be put out for bid, Agostini said. This should happen by the end of June, with construction to start next month. He said construction should take five to six months, but he isn't certain when the businesses will open.
"It's a good question," Agostini admitted. "We're shooting for the end of the year. It all depends on when we get started."
Maracon still needs final building permits for the project and must again appear before the Wheeling Planning Commission. In the interim, crews are permitted to do necessary site work for the development, according to Agostini.
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acousticportal
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06-16-09 2:05 PM
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You can't argue....this IS progress! I have an idea ... how about a nuclear (not nookUler) power plant in Warwood? Would that satisfy you?
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TruthSeeker11
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06-16-09 7:00 AM
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Hey somebody is building in Wheeling. Maybe they want to provide an option for folks. It is their money. They don't exist for you to have a job, and really kathy, some folks out there like to work part time.
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Wheeldog
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06-16-09 12:13 AM
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Hey, that picture includes a building where my family lived back in the early 1950s. My dad operated a crane at Centre Foundry, and it was where I got my first laboring job out of high school. I think I earned the grand wage of $2.10 an hour and saved enough to pay for my first year of college. Enough nostalgia. Haven't the developers heard? Strip malls are dying out all across the country. Most strip malls are designed around the concept of high volume consumerism and the use of private cars for transportation. Tighter and more expensive oil supplies plus the shrinking economy have pulled the rug out from under this business model.
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kmd0302
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06-15-09 10:08 PM
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Not only are they minimum wage jobs but they only offer 20-25 hours a week. At some stores at the Highlands you might get 10-15 hours a week and you have to work at least two jobs just to pay for the gas to travel to work let alone eat, pay bills, mortgage and other essentials.
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PCGS70
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06-15-09 9:40 PM
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I want to shop at the Save-A-Lot. They have cheap groceries. Hurry Up!
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EllisWyatt
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06-15-09 7:13 PM
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Retail and service jobs exist to SERVE those more gainfully employed. How many McDonald's or Kroger clerks can afford a mortgage and two car payments? There is nothing wrong with development-if it is paid for with private dollars. There is nothing wrong with employment. But without a tax base to support these service jobs, the service jobs will only be temporary. You cannot support a viable tax base on service jobs.
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Rockledge
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06-15-09 4:05 PM
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AP, hey lookit --- there are people in this world who do not understand that having any job is more honorable than having an entitlement. There are those who will sit around for decades waiting for the past to return. WVSC is all too 'common' in his thinking, and rather than 'sensible' is a bitter clinger and and a daydreamer. Definitely not a can-do person. Probably votes for demos.
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acousticportal
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06-15-09 3:13 PM
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Congratulations! More progress for the valley. Those who consider this negative...more proof that you will be down on America no matter what happens due to blind following of your chosen political party.
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wvcommonsense
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06-15-09 2:53 PM
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Alright! More minimum wage retail jobs for Wheeling! This is real progress!!!
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