Photo by Eric Ayres Members of the Development Committee of Wheeling City Council recently recommended the transfer of city-owned property on 14th Street in historic East Wheeling where a private developer plans to construct in-fill housing on a vacant parcel.

WHEELING — Officials in the city of Wheeling are moving forward with action to help a private real estate development venture bring much-needed in-fill housing to the historic East Wheeling neighborhood.

Members of the Development Committee of Wheeling City Council, along with other council members and city leaders, recently met in executive session to discuss property acquisition matters. Following the closed-door session, committee members moved to recommend the transfer of city-owned property at 116 14th St. to the Ohio Valley Area Development Corporation.

“It is currently a vacant lot,” Wheeling Director of Building and Planning Brenda J. Delbert said, explaining that the city acquired the property after demolition action was taken on the structure that once stood there. “It was deeded to us from an out-of-state property owner. The city tore down the house and paid for the demolition.”

An emergency ordinance in summer 2023 authorized the expenditure of $34,000 in the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funds for an emergency demolition of the vacant home that had stood on the site for more than 100 years since the turn of the 20th century.

The Ohio Valley Area Development Corporation is often utilized by the city as a liaison between the city and private entities on economic development projects such as this.

Delbert noted that the developer on this project is Corner 30 LLC — a company headed by St. Clairsville businessman Chad Brahler — which also owns the building that houses Grandpa Joe’s candy store in Centre Market and the building that houses the new Esoterica venue in Center Wheeling. Brahler is also rehabbing a former church building in the area as well, but the venture at 116 14th St. in East Wheeling will be new construction.

“It is going to be developed into housing,” Delbert said. “It is required to match what is there because it’s a special district in East Wheeling. They do have some design review characteristics that need to match the neighborhood.”

Several historic and Victorian-style structures along 14th Street and in the East Wheeling neighborhood are well maintained, and the new housing facility must be designed to “fit in” or complement the other homes.

No preliminary designs have been submitted to the city yet, nor is there a timeline or estimated cost of the proposed investment. But city officials expressed confidence that the developer will deliver on the promising venture.

“The property transfer on 14th Street is a very good project,” Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said, adding that supporting legislation for the project will likely come before city council in the near future.

“It is a decent-sized parcel,” Delbert noted. “Housing is definitely needed in the city. “We’re hoping that this will really kick off our infill housing needs.”

Officials explained that in neighborhoods throughout the city, there are several vacant lots peppered between existing houses. These “missing teeth” along street fronts are prime prospects for new single-family housing developments or other infill housing opportunities.

Other private housing development projects are also moving forward in the city, particularly in the East Wheeling neighborhood where a number of impactful development projects have taken place in recent years — from the new $9 million Wheeling Fire Department Headquarters to its neighboring ACE Garage location and other major investments. City council recently took action on another housing venture that aims to rehab property located across the street from the former Clay School in East Wheeling, which is under contract for demolition.

In February, city council took action to authorize the conveyance of property at 129 15th St. to the Ohio Valley Area Development Corporation to facilitate a proposal for redevelopment at this property from Dan Stephens. The historic building at the corner of 15th and Wood streets in East Wheeling needs some work but is a promising structure, according to the city manager. The developer is interested in creating market-rate apartments in the building.

“That is also a city-owned parcel, but it will not need to be demolished,” Delbert said. “It will just be rehabbed.”