WHEELING - The city of Wheeling has already spent $670,000 to acquire and abate properties in the block of 15th and Wood streets in East Wheeling for a planned sports field.
Just where the remaining $1.8 million will come from for the proposed $2.5 million project remains unknown, though.
Officials believe the sports field will be ready by the end of this year now that Ohio County Circuit Judge Arthur Recht has ruled the city can use eminent domain to acquire three of the four remaining non-city owned structures. The city apparently has entered into a private agreement with Councilman James Tiu to purchase his building.
City Manager Robert Herron said the sports field will enter the design phase if City Council on Tuesday approves a $188,500 contract with Alpha Architects and Engineers of Morgantown. He added the final design should be ready by mid-May. Herron agreed the project should be under way by the end of the year.
"We'll put together a fundraising effort," Herron said.
He said for the last two and a half years, the city had engaged in "informal discussions" with "various fundraising sources" that have interest in the project. He said all of those sources have given "positive feedback" for the project, but noted he could not release their names.
Herron noted those potential funding sources would not contribute until the city has full site control, which entailed acquiring the final homes via eminent domain at a trial on Jan. 23. Mayor Andy McKenzie said he is confident in the city's ability to raise the necessary funds.
"Bids are going to be accepted to tear the property down, and the design work will be accepted (at the) next council meeting," he said. The community "should be able to use the field late this year."
Council first authorized eminent domain last June and, last month, Recht allowed the city to take the final three structures necessary. Herron said the city has the money to pay for those structures. Those amounts are: 132 15th St., Tiu's property, an "amicable amount" yet to be released; 146 15th St., $40,000; 136 15th St., $24,700; and 138 15th St., $31,500.
When asked about the fairness of taking someone's home for a project that doesn't have a funding source, McKenzie said the city "can't start a project until (it owns) all the property."
The $188,500 contract council will see on Tuesday, according to Herron, will pay for preliminary and final designs, site surveys, inspections and construction administration. Alpha must also determine the most cost effective procedures, and provide assistance in selecting a proper demolition contractor.
It's been nearly two years since Herron and McKenzie first announced the sports field. That plan showed a practice field for soccer, lacrosse and football and a running track. The original idea did not relocate any part of the Elks Playground.
Since then, the plan has been modified to transpose the playground and basketball courts, which already exist. The playground equipment would sit between the field and courts so that, Herron said, it would be safer for younger children using it.
Bathrooms also have been added to the design work.