Wheeling Heritage To Break Ground on $1.5 Million Artisan Center Upgrades May 22
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WHEELING -- The renovations to the Wheeling Artisan Center, which will significantly transform the look and function of the building's interior, will officially break ground May 22, Wheeling Heritage announced Monday afternoon.
Wheeling Heritage accepted a bid from Accelerated Construction Services of Morgantown for the $1.5 million project, which will include major changes to River City restaurant and a new location in the building for the Artisan Center shop.
"We are so excited that this long-awaited renovation is ready to start," said Wheeling Heritage Executive Director Scott Schenerlein. "This beautiful building is an important part of our Main Street landscape and preserving its history for continued use in today's market is at the core of our mission. We owe a debt of gratitude to so many for making this happen. When it's completed it will be a testament to the pillars of our work: historic preservation, small business development, grants and investments and arts and culture."
The project is expected to finish late this year.
The biggest changes come to the building's first floor, which will see the Artisan Center shop move from its current second-floor spot down to the right side of the first floor. It will sit at the windows that look upon Main Street, giving the shop a traditional storefront.
To accommodate that, River City's seating will be moved to the left side of the first floor. Local business House of Rouse will reupholster the original booths, and outdoor seating will be added down the line. Wheeling Heritage Communications and Development Manager Cassie Minder said that, when the Downtown Streetscape Project makes its way to the 14th Street area, the sidewalk outside River City will be widened to accommodate outdoor seating.
These moves also will open up the space around the three-story atrium to be used for galleries and events. Other projects include refinishing the floors, upgrades to the restrooms and lighting, relocation of the gaming room, and more. There also will be a 1,078-square-foot first-floor tenant space available for businesses looking for a storefront.
Victor Greco of the Mills Group, which designed the renovations, said the improvements will "breathe new life" into the building.
"The corner building will be enhanced with new façade lighting, colorful banners, and outdoor dining along 14th Street," he said. "We are proud to further help with the revitalization of the city's street life."
During renovations, River City and the Artisan Center Shop plan to remain open. A temporary bar will be placed in the Atrium while work on the bar section occurs. Once that is completed, the restaurant will utilize the original bar. The Artisan Center Shop will remain on the second floor with shoppers able to use the front doors. Online shopping is available at artisancenter.com for those who would like delivery or local pick-up.
This project is being funded by a $1 million federal earmark, along with $750,000 from the city's American Rescue Plan Act funds, and support from Wheeling Heritage.
Updates on the progress of the project will be posted at wheelingheritage.org/project/artisan-center/.