Facade Program Improves Wheeling Neighborhoods
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WHEELING -- Property owners in Wheeling have been lining up to take advantage of building improvement incentive programs offered by the city, and the original venture - the Facade Improvement Program -- continues to help spruce up neighborhoods one property at a time.
Officials in the city's Economic and Community Development Department review applications for the Facade Improvement Program on a quarterly basis now. Applications found to be eligible are forwarded to Wheeling City Council every three months for final approval.
The most recent round of eligible applicants was approved by city council members this month.
The Facade Program was started several years ago and has since been expanded to include almost every commercial structure in the city," Vice Mayor Chad Thalman said. "The program has been very successful, and I encourage anyone who may be interested in making improvements to their building to inquire about this program."
Through the program, the city provides a match of up to $15,000 per building, depending on the renovation project cost. Initially, the program was limited to buildings located in the downtown and central business district, but it was recently expanded to commercial districts in every neighborhood throughout the city.
Eligible upgrades include improvements to a building's primary facade and other exterior building renovations, including signage and roof repairs or replacements.
Officials have touted the great success of the program, which brings public and private investments together for an overall improvement to buildings throughout the city. The enhanced curb appeal of each building helps raise the bar and often encourages owners of neighboring structures to follow suit.
The most recently approved facade renovation applicants, properties and amounts of matching city dollars included: Nate Harler, 41-11th St., $9,190; Lisa and John Singer, 647 Main St., $9,620; Dean Connors, 25-11th St., $5,670; Tyler Rice, 2804 Wood St., $8,447; Martha Los, 814 Main St., $15,000; and Thomas Gilson, 1915 Warwood Ave., $8,067.
In addition to the city's popular Facade Improvement Program, Wheeling officials in October offered a general Homeowner-Occupied Repair Assistance Program to income-eligible homeowners. The city used its pool of federal pandemic relief money received through the American Rescue Plan Act. Hundreds of applicants took advantage of the program - which provided up to $5,000 for home improvements, with no match required.
The overwhelming response prompted members of Wheeling City Council to increase the ARPA funding for the program to $2 million via legislation that was also approved earlier this month.
Officials are also looking to offer a new home improvement program for older structures in town. A resolution supporting a Victorian Homes Improvement Program was approved last week by city council, and city leaders are expected to meet with members of the Wheeling Historic Landmarks Commission sometime later this month to hammer out details, eligibility requirements, the review process and other logistics of the proposed program.
City officials have indicated that the Victorian Homes Improvement Program will be open to residents with a higher income than the previous Homeowner-Occupied Repair Assistance Program - with a household income cap of around $150,000. The new program is also expected to require a 20 percent match for each project of up to $5,000.
The total pool of funding for the project - which is not expected to be ARPA eligible - is projected to be $500,000. Officials have yet to solidify from where the funds will come for the project and whether or not it will be done on a first-come, first-serve basis or evaluated and ranked through a scoring system that is yet to be determined.