Contract to Raze Wheeling Inn Is Moving Forward

WHEELING - The former Wheeling Inn on Main Street will soon be coming down as members of Wheeling City Council are slated to act on legislation that will award a bid for its demolition.

A new ordinance is expected to be introduced during Tuesday’s Wheeling City Council meeting to authorize City Manager Robert Herron to spend $500,800 with Raze International Inc. of Shadyside for abatement and demolition of the former Wheeling Inn. Funds used for this project will be charged to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s DLAP (Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties) Program.

The new ordinance, slated for a first reading during Tuesday’s council meeting, includes Raze’s original bid amount of $499,800, plus $1,000 for the bond required for vibration monitoring equipment that will be installed on the adjacent Wheeling Suspension Bridge during the demolition process.

Although the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau owns the property on which the former hotel sits, the city of Wheeling must be involved in this project since money from the WVDEP’s DLAP program is being used.

"Grants by West Virginia Code have to go to local governments," Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron explained. "For this project the DLAP grant is for 100% of the demolition and environmental remediation - the asbestos abatement. The CVB will continue to own the property during this demolition project and after."

Earlier this spring, the CVB’s consultant, Tipping Point - which is overseeing the effort to redevelop the site into what is ultimately expected to become a new Gateway Center in the city - opened bids for the demolition of the former Wheeling Inn. Several contractors bid on the project, and Raze International was not the lowest bidder.

However, low bidder Edgco Inc. - which submitted a bid of $409,000 - was "deemed non-responsive," according to the legislation for the new contract, indicating that the lowest bidder’s submission did not meet all of the requirements and criteria outlined in the bid specifications. Raze was determined to be the lowest of the responsive bidders.

Other bids were substantially higher. By comparison, Reclaim Company submitted a bid of $638,988, FRB Wrecking bid $988,000 and Aster Hardwoods submitted a bid of $795,000.

"We are very appreciative of the West Virginia Legislature's creation of the DLAP program and to Governor (Jim) Justice for awarding this grant for the elimination of the former Wheeling Inn building," Herron noted, citing the action that had been taken in the wake of past criminal complaints connected to the site which sparked a public nuisance action and led to its permanent closure. "This building has had a history of very serious issues for several years. Demolishing this long-dilapidated structure will not only immediately improve the gateway to downtown, but will clear the way for an impressive new Gateway Center and possibly much more."

In January of 2023, the CVB stepped up and purchased the former hotel property at 949 Main St. - also known as the Knights Inn of Wheeling - for $1.7 million. Officials at the CVB touted the venture to redevelop the site as a key component to a new chapter for the city. The property is surrounded by several other multimillion dollar investments - from major improvements to the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the Downtown Streetscape Project, the Carl family’s investment in the building across the street that houses the Bridge Tavern, Woda Development’s new apartment complex - The Doris on Main, the Newbridge Academy and related redevelopment at 1000 Main St. and other significant improvement projects at the main entrance to Wheeling.

Early estimates for a new Gateway Center project show a potential investment of between $13 million and $16 million.

"The design and site development team put together by the CVB and Wheeling Heritage has been working diligently over the past several months to develop a plan to maximize the enormous potential for this site," Herron said.

The city manager explained that "great care has been given" to the plan for demolition since the former hotel is in such close proximity to the historic Suspension Bridge.

A second reading and final vote on the new ordinance to award the demolition contract is expected to take place during Wheeling City Council’s second meeting of the month on May 21. If approved - as expected - demolition of the former hotel is expected to commence in early summer.

"I would anticipate the project to begin mid or late June to early July," Herron said.