The city of Wheeling has a major decision looming on the horizon: just what will be the future of the former Clay School in East Wheeling? Will it be renovated at the cost of tens of millions of dollars -- money that will come primarily from taxpayers -- or will it be demolished -- again, at substantial cost -- so something new can be built in its place?
What's clear is that the building can't continue in its current condition. It sits right in the heart of a residential neighborhood and across 15th Street from the East Wheeling Sports Complex. Visitors to our area, when they come to an event at the sports complex, are greeted by a fortress of a building with busted-out windows and a fenced-off sidewalk due to bricks falling from the structure. It gives the feel of a city that has lost pride in itself, that can't tackle even simple problems such as ensuring a multi-million dollar public/private investment into a top-notch sports facility isn't protected by ensuring the surrounding buildings aren't falling down.
That's not Wheeling, but that's the appearance presented to those from outside our region.
For Wheeling to move forward, appearances need to change.
City leaders and other stakeholders understand the dilemma, and did something recently that's been unheard of locally -- they actually sought the public's input. Not just some "blue-ribbon commission" of locals, but input directly from those who live in East Wheeling.
"When we look back and the story of Clay School and what happened in this area is told, you can now say you were a part of what happened," Ron Scott of Men of Change told the crowd gathered to discuss the Clay School's future. "Now it's us with an actual voice that can actually contribute to change and make sure that we have a hand with what happens with this building . … We have input on it, and it feels like we have a stake in it.
"This is historic, if you ask me. Because no one has cared about our opinion before, and they do now. And we need to make sure that it's heard."
The key now is to take the 1,000-plus responses gathered through a community survey and develop a realistic and affordable plan for the site.
One option that seems to have strong support is relocating the Nelson Jordan Center to Clay School, as that would complement the sports field next door. How that would work remains unknown, but it's at least an option.
No matter the future use of the site, the first priority needs to be either razing or rehabilitating the current structure.
That likely can't happen without extensive public support.
Council will need to come up with a solid plan quickly, as the status quo no longer is acceptable.