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It's been about 15 months since a project began that, once complete, will provide a much-needed and overdue facelift to downtown Wheeling. Over that time period, in this newspaper, we've published dozens of stories on the project -- from the overall scope of the work to street closings to some of the more interesting -- and challenging -- aspects of totally remaking a six-block downtown with new streets, sidewalks, bump-outs, water and sewer lines and underground utility vaults.
Getting information on the project that the public needs -- the work is being managed by the West Virginia Division of Highways, as Main and Market streets are state routes -- has been challenging, though. Often, we receive notification of a major change in the project hours before it happens. Businesses are learning that streets around them are closing the day crews set up barriers. Those working downtown have been faced, at least twice, with no real access to their workplace without traveling the wrong way on Market Street.
While the work on the Streetscape project is moving at a good pace, the flow of meaningful information to the public has been terrible. For a project that directly impacts so many people, state highways officials have done a poor job in providing the information people need.
That now has changed, thanks to the city of Wheeling and several partners. This past week the city launched a new web page, www.wheelingwv.gov/streetscapeproject, that will provide information as the city receives it. It will be a welcome guide to those who travel and work downtown.
"As information becomes available, this will serve as a conduit to providing that information to the public," Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said. "It's another way to update the downtown businesses and the community with information about the construction as it is made available."
This information should have been available from day one. The West Virginia Division of Highways could use a lesson in effective communication. This is not an interstate project; this is a downtown rehabilitation that is impacting residents, businesses and visitors alike.
Again, the city made the right call in stepping forward with the new web portal. It shouldn't have taken 15 months, but at least over the next 15 months the public will be better informed.