$3.2M Grant Clears Way for Wheeling Gateway Center
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WHEELING -- West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey believes Wheeling "has a story to be told," and on Tuesday he announced the additional state funding needed to break ground on the Gateway Center Visitor and Heritage Center planned for downtown.
Wheeling will receive a $3.2 million Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization grant, providing the final funding needed to move the $25 million project into construction.
Morrisey made the announcement during a press conference at West Virginia Independence Hall.
"We will be kicking in what we believe is the final amount of resources to begin the groundbreaking and have the Wheeling Gateway Center in operation as soon as possible," he said.
Morrisey noted the effort that has gone into developing the Gateway Center near the Wheeling Suspension Bridge.
"I think it's going to be an amazing site where people can come and see our heritage," he said. "When you think about it -- at one time the Wheeling Suspension Bridge was the longest in the world. This is something most people don't know. We need to tell that story."
Morrisey said proper funding for the Gateway Center will help ensure stories that "amplify the glory of Wheeling" are told.
The project represents a different approach to visitor centers in West Virginia, with the downtown location designed to attract visitors into the city. Morrisey said projections indicate the center could draw 175,000 visitors annually and generate $21 million in tourism spending each year.
The project also is expected to create about 87 permanent jobs.
Morrisey credited past and present state lawmakers and administrations, as well as the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau and city officials, for helping advance the project.
Tipping Point is serving as the real estate development consultant coordinating site management and planning.
When completed, the Gateway Center is expected to encompass approximately 23,835 square feet at 949 Main St., the site of the former Wheeling Inn. The facility is planned to include a visitor center, heritage museum, event space, retail shops, a rooftop or onsite restaurant and offices for the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Plans also call for a structural walkway connecting the center to the Wheeling Heritage Trail and Ohio River waterfront.
Among those attending Tuesday's announcement were Frank O'Brien, executive director of the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau; Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder and Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron.
Earlier Tuesday, Morrisey announced former Delegate Kayla Kessinger as West Virginia's next director of tourism. Kessinger accompanied Morrisey to Wheeling for the announcement.
The $3.2 million award comes through the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization program and builds on previous state, federal and local support for the project, including funding used to acquire and prepare the former hotel property for redevelopment.