Milestone Reached in Wheeling Fire Headquarters Construction

WHEELING -- Construction of the new Wheeling Fire Department Headquarters in East Wheeling is not only being completed on time and within budget, it's also being completed safely.

On Monday, officials from the Wheeling Fire Department joined city leaders and representatives of general contractor &build for a tree topping ceremony, marking the installation of the final piece of structural steel in the sprawling facility along 17th and Wood streets.

"This is a tradition in the construction trades," Fire Chief Jim Blazier said. "When they get the structural steel done, the tree signifies that we're reached the top and that there's been no loss of life and no injuries. That's supposedly good luck for the inhabitants of the building, as well."

A roof has already been installed over the administrative offices and housing units at the new facility. Once the metal sheeting across the roof of the large apparatus bays is in place, the bracing on the exterior walls in these areas will be removed.

For the next few months thereafter, the vast majority of the work will be moved inside until the 24,860-square-foot facility is completed.

"They keep telling us December, and that's what we're hoping for," Blazier said. "The fact that we're almost under roof here should eliminate any weather delays, because now all of the interior work will be able to be done under cover. And to this point, we've also been blessed with good weather. It's been a great project so far."

Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron commended the team from Cleveland-based &build, a PCS company, for its efficient work at the site.

"So far the project has been on schedule, safely constructed and that's a tribute to the contractor and the men and women who are constructing this building," Herron said. "We're pleased that so far, we're in a very good spot. We're looking forward to working inside and getting the building finished out."

Officials said the target completion date for the new fire headquarters remains around the end of December.

"You never know with supply chain issues, but right now, it's on schedule," Herron said.

A retired member of the Wheeling Fire Department, Councilman Dave Palmer noted that it is gratifying to see crews reach the milestone of safely completing the structural skeleton of the facility. The construction of the new headquarters was unique in a way as the shell of the building quickly took shape after prefabricated concrete walls were erected.

"It's wonderful," Palmer said. "It's great for the firefighters to continue to watch the progress of it. I know they're excited about it."

Palmer said he knows from experience the excitement that is generated within the department whenever something like a new piece of equipment arrives. So seeing work coming along on the new, state-of-the-art $9 million fire department headquarters creates a buzz -- especially among the personnel who in a matter of months will be working there.

"They're looking forward - hopefully by the beginning of 2024 - to moving into this facility," Palmer said. "It's a lot safer than where they're at right now. There are a lot of upgrades, but it's really about the services to the citizens. To be able to have new training facilities will really help them prepare for the worst and hope for the best."

The new headquarters will have large equipment bays for fire engines and aerial ladder trucks, a lower bay for smaller apparatuses like ambulances. There will be hands-on training rooms and areas -- including a training tower, as well as officers for command staff and spacious bunk rooms and sleeping quarters for firefighters.

Money generated through the City Service Fee is being used to fund the construction of the new Fire Headquarters. Once the new facility is completed and the department relocates to the new building, the city is expected to demolish the Center Wheeling Parking Garage, which houses the current headquarters. The department is located in the lower level of that aging facility, which otherwise has been closed to the public for use as a parking garage since April of 2022 because of structural concerns.