The former Wheeling Inn. Clay School. The former Ohio Valley Medical Center/Center Wheeling parking garage property. Dozens of abandoned homes. And more.

What these structures all have — or had –in common is that they have either been slated for demolition or have met the wrecking ball in recent months. The action — handled both by the private sector (the OVMC property) and through taxpayer dollars (everything else) — is part of a potential rebirth of our city, a crafting of a new from the old.

As we’ve noted on several prior occasions, this is an opportunity elected, appointed and civic-minded private sector leaders throughout Ohio County cannot afford to let pass. Failing to seize upon this effort, coupled with other real and potential projects in the works to benefit our town, would be a collective failure for Wheeling.

The latest demolition projects include a dozen homes scattered around the city. These are homes that need to come down. As such, Wheeling City Council on Tuesday gave its OK to spend $138,100 with Aster Oilfield Services of Bellaire for abatement and demolition of the sites.

Wheeling has done more than its fair share of work to clean up dilapidated properties in recent years. City Manager Robert Herron has overseen the tear-down of hundreds of dilapidated structures over the past 15 years, a public investment of millions of dollars. That has been part of an important effort to clean up Wheeling. Let’s face it — we live in an old city, full of unique, Victorian-era charms. But that also brings issues such as dated infrastructure, buildings that are not maintained by owners that no longer live here, and more. It is up to those living here, now, to decide what to do with our town — what to do with these vacant and soon-to-be-vacant sites. Just as leaving these buildings standing accomplishes nothing, so does leaving empty lots.

At a time when housing concerns top the list for most local firms attempting to bring new residents and businesses here, perhaps a more strategic plan for the city’s future is in order.