A major downtown construction project’s return to the front burner for the city of Wheeling is fantastic news for its future. At its most recent meeting Wheeling City Council had its first reading of an ordinance that would allow the city to spend $59,000 on M&G Architects and Engineers’ services to get the ball rolling on demolishing several buildings on 14th Street — which would make way for a $63 million project that would include a restaurant, coffee shop, event center, hotel, condominiums and more right across from WesBanco Arena.

Is it a huge step? Yes and no. It’s an ordinance that allows the city to hire a firm to create a plan to knock down some existing buildings. This is what it looks like right after the starter’s pistol is fired at the beginning of the race.

But the race is starting.

Any forward motion on a transformative project like this should be treated as good news. Wheeling is in an era where it must be looking toward the future, evolving as a city and offering new reasons to visit. One of the things downtown Wheeling has lacked for years is an upscale hotel, somewhere that will entice people to stay for a reason other than convenience. This new project not only will provide that service, but so many more that will attract visitors and customers.

It’s also a project that is a shining example of how private business can be a leader in downtown Wheeling’s revitalization. While the city is assisting, the overall project is spearheaded by development company Vol for Life, a Wheeling-based group created by former owners of the Ziegenfelder Co., Barry and Lisa Allen. Both community pillars, the Allens’ participation in this project is a significant boost, one that should attract other investors.

There have been other downtown projects in recent years that have started with great promise, only to fade into dormancy. This 14th Street project looks like one with life and one that should be able to inject new life into downtown Wheeling.

It’s good to see the city helping the project along, and the city should continue that partnership as that project progresses. For Wheeling to continue moving forward, it needs tangible examples of that evolution. The 14th Street project is something that fits the bill.