Just because a building is old doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth spending $25 million to save. Such is the case of one of the city’s most neglected sites — the former Clay School in East Wheeling.

Members of Wheeling City Council on Tuesday made the right decision in choosing to head on a path that will see the long-neglected building demolished in the new year. That’s the most effective method in which to provide that property a future that not only benefits the city, but also the East Wheeling neighborhood.

The Clay School first opened more than 80 years ago as part of Ohio County Schools. It has sat vacant and neglected for about the past 30 years.

According to a study provided to members of council by the Tipping Point consulting firm, it would cost at least $24.5 million to renovate the current building. Demolishing the site and preparing it for future use is expected to be about half that cost.

“Looking at the studies and the numbers, I, too, have come to the conclusion that the only thing we can do at this point is demolish it. That makes the most sense,” Mayor Denny Magruder said. “We’re in desperate need of a new community Nelson Jordan Center that’s modern-day where the youth there can support it.”

The Nelson Jordan Center option is a good idea, but city officials should not be quick to continue to throw public tax dollars at the project. It would make sense to start shopping the site now to potential developers that might be willing to invest in the city with private dollars.

If public dollars do end up being used, 3rd Ward Councilwoman Connie Cain said the project must benefit those living in East Wheeling. She laid out a list of issues with the J.B. Chambers Sports Complex across the street, noting everyone but the citizens of East Wheeling have access to the site.

“If we’re going to tear down a historic building for East Wheeling to build something, then it has to be for East Wheeling,” she said. “That’s why I’m on city council. To give us a voice.”

In looking at the site’s future, city leaders must approach the matter with fiscal prudence in mind. Wheeling taxpayers already are funding numerous projects around town, and adding more will only strain city coffers. Something certainly needs done with Clay School, but simply throwing tax dollars at the problem is not the answer. This is a project that deserves much thought.