Council Set to Commit $575K to Waterfront Hotel Project
File Photo by Eric Ayres Trending
WHEELING -- Wheeling City Council is set to consider legislation tonight that would transfer $575,000 toward the city's new waterfront development project.
Council members are scheduled to gather at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers for their first of two regular meetings in September.
Among the new legislation on tonight's agenda is an ordinance up for first reading that would authorize the transfer of $575,000 from the city's Tax Increment Financing Project Fund to the Ohio Valley Area Development Corp. for economic development purposes.
The OVADC is an entity the city has used as a liaison for community revitalization and public-private economic development projects.
Vol for Life, headed by local businessman and philanthropist Barry Allen, is spearheading the $58.7 million waterfront development along 14th Street downtown between Water and Main streets. The complex, to be known as the JC Lando, will feature a boutique hotel, condominiums, a rooftop dining and lounge area, commercial retail space and more.
Wheeling is contributing a total of $5 million in TIF funding to the project. Officials have said the new tax base generated by the hotel complex will contribute to TIF district revenues, essentially paying back the city's investment.
The project is fully funded and is expected to break ground early next year.
The city recently awarded a $628,290 contract to Reclaim Company LLC of Fairmont for asbestos abatement and demolition of existing buildings in the block where the JC Lando will be built. Demolition is expected to take place in the coming months after salvageable features of historic structures in the block -- some dating to before the Civil War -- are removed.
In other action scheduled for tonight's meeting, council is expected to hear first readings on several new pieces of legislation, including ordinances:
-- Authorizing the expenditure of $19,018 with GM Baker & Son Moody's of Dayton for rehabilitation of well pump No. 3, to be charged to the water department.
-- Amending the city's business regulation and taxation code concerning a new development and business expansion tax credit to make the minimum number of full-time employees consistent with other tax credits in the code. The amendment would change the language to state that "an applicant for this tax credit must create or increase its full-time average yearly work force of or by 150 persons or jobs." Currently, the code states that the minimum requirement established by the Housing and Urban Development is one job for every $35,000 increment of overall project costs.
-- Authorizing the expenditure of $167,732 with Jim Shorkey Ford of Irwin, Pennsylvania, for four 2027 Dodge Durango Pursuits, to be charged to the police department.
-- Authorizing the city manager to spend $74,618 with BearCom of Dallas, Texas, for equipment to outfit police vehicles. The cost is to be charged to the police department.
-- Authorizing the expenditure of $116,454 with Yahn Electric Co. Inc. of Wheeling for a Rhombus video system for the Wheeling Fire Department. The cost is to be charged to the city service fee.
-- Authorizing the expenditure of $29,950 with Yahn Electric Co. Inc. of Wheeling for network segmentation, to be charged to the general fund.
-- Authorizing the expenditure of $95,500 with Verdantas of Wheeling for engineering services for Elm Terrace and Gaewood stormwater improvements. The cost is to be charged to Water Pollution Control.
Council also is slated to vote on two new resolutions, including a resolution identifying 1101 Warwood Ave. as a development or redevelopment site as requested by Larry Lewis and a resolution declaring 11 Florida St. a public nuisance following a public hearing concerning the condition of the Wheeling Island property.
Prior to the regular council meeting, members of the Wheeling City Council Finance Committee are scheduled to meet at 5:15 p.m. to discuss a proposed revision to the city's fiscal year 2026-27 general fund budget.
A resolution concerning Budget Revision No. 2 also appears on council's regular agenda, and members are slated to vote on the proposed revision.