Trending
WHEELING -- City officials are reinstating a Centre Market Commission to make the most out of one of Wheeling's most popular destinations.
Members of the Health and Recreation Committee of Council recently discussed the proposal and agreed to forward the proposal to the full city council.
"The Centre Market is such a powerful focus in our community, but unfortunately I think, for many years, it has not had the attention that I think it deserves," Councilwoman Rosemary Ketchum said.
"Personally -- the Centre Market is in my ward -- but I think it is boundless in its potential to improve our downtown space and our neighborhoods," Ketchum said. "Centre Wheeling in particular has experienced a significant loss with the closure of OMVC (in 2019)."
The city's codified ordinances include duties of a Centre Market Commission, but the body has been inactive for many years.
Officials have tweaked the commission's proposed duties, moving from administrative duties and focusing more on an advisory role by people with a vested interest in the market's success.
"It hasn't been functioning for at least 15 years, maybe even longer," said Wheeling City Solicitor Rose Humway-Warmuth, who helped revamp the language in a proposed amendment to the ordinance, which was slated for a first reading today.
The newly reimagined purpose of the Centre Market Commission, as outlined in legislation amending and reenacting Article 175 of the city's codified ordinances, will be to preserve and protect the historical and architectural heritage of the market, promote economic redevelopment of the Centre Market Square Historic District, attract tourists and visitors, foster civic pride and help spearhead other tasks aimed at improving Centre Market.
Current bylaws for the commission were first developed in the mid-1980s, long before the city hired Kurt Zende to take over management of the property.
"My vision for this commission is to provide some support to Mr. Zende," Ketchum said. "I recently traveled to Denver -- and I won't stop talking about it, because it was so much fun. They have a center market square called Larimer Square, and it is the most exciting, the most engaging and the most vibrant part of that community, and there's no reason why our Centre Market should not resemble something like that.
"We have all of the ingredients, and I hope that this is the recipe to make that happen."
Officials noted that both Zende and Spike Wells, Centre Market's head of janitorial and maintenance services, both do outstanding work. Some past suggestions and ideas to improve Centre Market have been met with push back from some business owners. Last year, for example, some restaurants took issue with the city allowing food trucks to set up shop in Centre Market. While certain businesses like brewpubs have invited food trucks to complement their business, owners of some existing restaurants in the market did not appreciate the competition.
City leaders indicated a revitalized Centre Market Commission also could help create a consensus to suggestions to help maximize the area's potential to help support city staff in their efforts to improve the site.
"It's something we looked at before, and I think it's overdue," Mayor Glenn Elliott said. "I'm a big fan of Kurt Zende -- I think he does a great job down there, but I do think it would be helpful for him to have an outside body kind of looking at this objectively to give him some big-picture suggestions."
Michael Biela, marketing assistant with the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Centre Market is an asset to both people who live in the city and to visitors who come to the Friendly City.
"We do assist Mr. Zende -- whether it be help with some funding for concerts down there or assistance with social media and keeping his website up to date," Biela said. "It really is a gem for Wheeling, not only for the community but for the visitors that come here. They absolutely love Centre Market. It's one of the main destinations and attractions here in Wheeling and Ohio County. "
Amy Cordy, owner of V.C. Wares in Centre Market, noted that certain areas of the market could use a little more attention, but the historic business district -- as is -- still attracts people from near and far.
"It's amazing how many people come from Pittsburgh and love Centre Market and how awesome it is. It could be so much better," Cordy said.
"Spike is doing a fantastic job, but he's one person," Assistant City Manager Bill Lanham added, noting also that city leaders have been working to repair the air conditioning unit in the lower market house and install a new roof. There has been a backlog in the supply chain, causing a delay in needed parts, particularly for the air conditioning unit.
Officials noted that installation of a new roof is expected to be a $300,000 project. It's a worthy investment, they indicated.
"It really is a gem right now in our community," the mayor said. "There's nothing else like it. I'd like for the rest of downtown to take the Centre Market lead and become a place that's vibrant and has a lot of different pedestrian experiences."