WTRF.com UPDATE
To passers-by, it might appear that demolition is about finished on the 1100 block of East Wheeling.
The buildings came down fast, and now the rubble sits in piles on the lot where a sports complex is slated to be built.
City Manager Robert Herron WTRF.com the demolition contract is actually a little ahead of schedule, but there is a big difference between this project and other demolition projects Wheeling.
"The contractor is hauling all of the material off-site, so what's going to be left is footprints of the 38 buildings that were there," said Herron. "The next phase of that is a general contract to actually build the complex."
Herron isn't sure when they are bidding that out. If it's not by this fall then it will certainly be over the winter months.
They are still looking at their fundraising efforts, but Herron says all the plans and specifications should be done in the next couple of weeks.
WTRF.com UPDATE
Some major projects are quickly moving ahead in downtown Wheeling.
City councilman Don Atkinson said the 1100 block demolition is expected to be done by the fall.
While some buildings have
been demolished, Atkinson said others like the Murphy's building are
being taken care of first, from the inside, before the outside is torn
down. Once complete, the empty space will be used for landscaping and
parking, nothing permanent for now.
"Most people in town are counting on this to
happen," he said. "Seeing it really happen, most people are happy about
seeing the buildings coming down. Now that they can see the inside and
what they look like they're really happy because they're now realizing
how bad they were."
Atkinson said the East Wheeling Sports Complex project is also moving quickly.
He expects demolitions for this to be done around the same time as the 1100 block.
ORIGINAL STORY
Demolition began Monday to make way for the East Wheeling Sports Complex.
38 structures between 15th and 16th streets, and Wood and McCullough streets are slated to come down.
Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court in Charleston approved the ruling in favor of the complex.
EdgeCo out of Lansing, Ohio is contracted
for five months, but the city is hoping they can get the demolition
finished a bit sooner.
City Manager Bob Herron says this is an exciting time in Wheeling, with a few big developmental projects taking place at once.
"This particular project in East Wheeling
is not only going to provide a first class public recreational complex,
but it's also going to bring people into East Wheeling to go to the
complex and participate in the athletics there," he says.
The design of the sports complex is underway right now and includes a turf field, new basketball courts and a new playground.
Once the demolition is finished, Herron
says the city will be ready to bid the construction phase out. He hopes
construction will start late summer into fall.
This project, paired with a significant
housing project right across the street, are expected to transform the
East Wheeling neighborhood, according to Herron.
Stick with 7 News and
WTRF.com for updates on this developing story.
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