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Planting Seeds of City’s Future

“Our biggest job to date has been to water the seeds (that former mayors and city councils) have planted here in Wheeling.”

That Tuesday from Wheeling Mayor Dennis Magruder, as he opened his 2025 State of the City address. That remark set the stage for a solid speech on where the city’s at in the first month of the new year and also where it’s been, along with highlighting the extraordinary work being done by a number of folks in our community.

But the question to take away from the speech simply is this: what seeds will Magruder and his council plant over the next 41 months? The clock is ticking, as this current council already is 15% through its four-year term. It’s fine to stop, take a breath and enjoy what you’ve inherited and what you’re planning to continue shepherding along — as long as that breath is not too long. Wheeling doesn’t have time to spare in its revitalization.

The challenge this council faces is real. Wheeling has much happening in its favor right now, but many of the funding streams that have been tapped over the past few decades — particularly from the federal and state governments –may well be coming to an end. The influx of federal recovery funds — $30-plus million during the pandemic — handed to the last council is spent. Focusing more local taxpayer dollars on speculative building purchases will not be this council’s path forward. Instead, crafting a clear vision for Wheeling — possibilities include a high-tech hub, an advanced manufacturing center, a health care mecca — and then working to create policies and possibly bring in experts to help achieve that goal is the way forward. That truly must be this council’s overarching goal through June 2028.

To do otherwise would fray the trust prior mayors and councils have established over the past 33 years — particularly when you consider what’s ahead.

Look at Center Wheeling. That’s an area ripe for positive change and growth with the planned WVU Medicine Regional Cancer Center. The stage already is set now that the former Ohio Valley Medical Center and the former Center Wheeling Parking Garage have been flattened. What businesses will service the cancer center? Is the current mix of tenants at Centre Market, or the market’s design and layout, ready to accommodate thousands of new visitors? Where will those working in Center Wheeling outside of the WVU facility park? Are the city sidewalks up to par for increased foot traffic? Are there adequate living options in Center Wheeling for those who will work at the cancer center? What policies are being discussed to change the trajectory of Center Wheeling now that a near $100 million investment is coming?

These are fair questions that we hope council members are considering. The private sector obviously has a role to play in all of this, but city leaders now should be considering that area’s future.

If the new mayor and council do one thing during their term, it would be this: set the stage for the future. Work with governmental bodies and development agencies to chart a clear path ahead. Encourage the community to be part of the process.

We all enjoy Wheeling’s quality of life, but the fact is that quality of life hasn’t stopped the population and brain drain our area has suffered over the past two generations. If this council wants to leave its mark, then it must craft a vision of the future that we all can work toward.

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