It was good to see such strong community response to the proposed Wheeling Gateway Center, as more than 4,000 people offered their thoughts on what should be done at the corner of 10th and Main streets downtown.
A new Wheeling/Ohio County visitors center will soon be under construction at the former Wheeling Inn site. Community members last week gathered at the Capitol Theatre to learn more about options being considered to improve the downtown gateway off Interstate 70.
According to the responses logged over the past month, the top desires for the center include a connection to the city's Heritage Trail and its riverfront, retail shops and restaurants and a space to spend time with family and friends. The Tipping Point development firm is overseeing the project.
"Our connection to the Ohio River should be explored, more so than just the water physically," said one attendee. "Amazing flat boats and engines were built here, and the innovation that came with them is a major opportunity for us to highlight a portion of our history that has not been before."
Other ideas were offered, and now Tipping Point will create concepts for the new Gateway Center. That will be happening as the demolition and remediation of the former Wheeling Inn takes place in the coming months.
It was good to see such strong community involvement here. Now let's create a center all of Wheeling can be proud of.