WHEELING — Proposed distribution of more than $1.1 million in federal money from the city of Wheeling’s Community Development Block Grant allocation for this year is available for public review.

City leaders this week announced that a draft of this year’s CDBG budget has been posted on the city’s website. Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron also reviewed several items in the fiscal year 2026 Annual Action Plan with City Council members this week. The plan also is available at the city’s Community Development Department.

“The proposed administrative Community Development Block Grant budget was distributed to members of Wheeling City Council last week,” Herron said. “Council members have the ability to make changes to the proposed budget.”

Awarded to communities each year through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CDBG funds provide financial assistance for a variety of eligible projects and programs that typically benefit low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

Herron noted that one of the major items in the Action Plan this year is a Section 108 loan repayment in the amount of $200,000 for a project to rehabilitate and repurpose a block of vacant historic buildings downtown.

“This was the loan authorized for the 1400 block of Market Street project,” Herron said. “That project is still alive. They’re working through some New Market Tax Credit issues with it. But it’s getting very, very close to construction.”

Street resurfacing in eligible neighborhoods also will be funded with CDBG money, with $107,976 targeted for paving projects.

“We have not identified the streets that are eligible,” Herron said of the proposed paving list, which is still being developed for this season. “They have to meet certain criteria for Community Development Block Grant eligibility.”

Recreational facilities in the city also are slated for improvements through the use of CDBG funds. Herron said $35,000 has been proposed for improvements to the Fulton basketball court.

“That project was bid out earlier in the spring, and the numbers came in higher than what we anticipated, so we’re recommending some additional funds be put toward that project,” he said. “The Tunnel Green tennis court project was in the same boat. It was put out to bid, and the numbers came in relatively high, so we’re asking that $65,000 be appropriated toward that project.”

Improvements to city-operated pool facilities also are being planned.

“We’re proposing a new project at the Grandview Pool parking lot area, which is in desperate need of paving,” Herron said. “That is a heavily used pool during the summer months in East Wheeling, so we’re recommending $100,000 for paving there.”

Another $150,000 in CDBG money is being recommended for restroom renovations at the pool house at the Bridge Park Pool on Wheeling Island, which officials said is likely the busiest swimming pool operated by the city.

The city also is proposing to allocate funds for major improvements at facilities operated by local service agencies. A proposed allocation of $49,500 would fund a new security system for a newly established crisis nursery operated by Holy Family Child Care. Another $80,000 is proposed for a new roof at Russell Nesbit Services WATCH Inc. in Center Wheeling, and $42,500 is proposed for exterior improvements to Youth Services System Inc.’s recovery home, Mark’s House, on Wheeling Island.

Allocations also are being proposed for public services from outside agencies in the community, including $10,000 for Catholic Charities for food purchases and food delivery, $20,000 for Family Service’s senior nutrition program and $25,000 for Wheeling Health Right for dental and clinical care for qualifying clients.

“That is an overview of the proposed CDBG budget,” Herron told council members this week. “It is down slightly this year, I believe, by about $14,000. But the total allocation for the city of Wheeling this year is $1,117,470.”

The draft fiscal year 2026 Action Plan will remain available for review in the coming weeks, and a public hearing on the draft will be held May 5. A 30-day comment period will begin May 18, after which City Council members may make revisions before adopting the Action Plan on May 19.

“It is anticipated that the plan will be submitted to HUD between June 2 and June 12,” Herron said, noting the schedule for the annual process has been condensed this year.

“Because of the federal government’s shutdown, it is later this year than normal,” Herron said. “Typically this is done in February and March. Obviously it’s being done now in April, May and June.”