Wheeling Launches Web Page As Portal For Streetscape Info

WHEELING - The city of Wheeling this week launched a new web page dedicated to providing the public the latest information on the state of West Virginia’s ongoing Downtown Streetscape Project.

The web page is accessible online at www.wheelingwv.gov/StreetscapeProject.

"As information becomes available, this will serve as a conduit to providing that information to the public," Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said. "It’s another way to update the downtown businesses and the community with information about the construction as it is made available."

The $32 million Downtown Streetscape Project is being spearheaded by the West Virginia Division of Highways and general contractor Triton Construction of St. Albans. The work has been ongoing in downtown Wheeling for more than a year and is expected to continue through mid-2025.

Once finished, the Streetscape project will not only beautify downtown Wheeling but will also bring ADA-compliant curbs and crosswalks, widened sidewalks, decorative brickwork along Main and Market streets, new street surfaces, a modern storm water management system throughout the downtown between 10th and 16th streets, new traffic signals, plants and trees, and more.

"We understand the need for the public to stay informed on what is taking place in our downtown, and we will make every effort to provide updated information as it becomes available," Herron said.

The new web page provides a great deal of information about the construction timeline, basic information about the project, the latest updates and other information, including details about the city’s new free-validated parking program in certain impacted areas of the downtown.

City officials regularly meet with WVDOH officials and the general contractor during construction meetings. Herron noted that if any downtown property owner or business owner is being impacted by the Streetscape project and has questions that are not included in the FAQ (frequently asked questions) section on the new webpage, they should contact his office by phone at 304-234-3617 or via email at citymanager@wheelingwv.gov.

"If the city administration does not immediately have answers to your questions, we will reach out to the West Virginia Division of Highways to obtain the answers to your questions," he said. "The DOH has been very good about getting back to us whenever we have any questions about the project."

In developing the new informational page about the Streetscape work, the city received input from Regional Economic Development Partnership (RED), Wheeling Heritage, the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce and the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Late last year, a number of downtown business owners expressed concerns about losing customers because of the torn-up sidewalks, closed streets and detours around their establishments. Some business owners said there was a lack of communication about the work areas and its impacts on commerce downtown.

Last week, the city approved legislation that will provide up to $10,000 in lost revenue reimbursements for small downtown restaurants and businesses that have been impacted by the massive construction zones associated with the Downtown Streetscape Project. Impacted businesses are also eligible for a possible exemption of the city’s Business & Occupation Tax during the construction period.