Councilman Seidler Questions Progress on Downtown Wheeling-Pitt Lofts Project
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WHEELING - While progress can clearly be seen on construction of the new, multimillion-dollar parking garage along Market Street in downtown Wheeling, concerns are being raised about the progress - or seeming lack of progress - taking place at the former Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel headquarters building.
The city of Wheeling agreed to construct the six-deck, $12.3 million parking garage downtown to support future needs associated with the long-awaited redevelopment of the former Wheeling-Pitt building - what city leaders maintain is the tallest building in the town with 12 stories from street level.
At the beginning of January 2021, city leaders joined developer Steve Coon of Coon Restoration and Sealants and building owner Dr. John Johnson of Access Infrastructure LLC in the former Wheeling-Pitt building to announce a partnership to bring an estimated $30 private investment into the downtown landmark, transforming it into the Historic Wheeling-Pitt Lofts. The new apartment complex is expected to require a significant amount of parking for its tenants, so the city agreed to pay for and build a nearby parking garage.
As significant progress is being made on the city’s new parking structure, Wheeling City Councilman Ben Seidler has on a number of occasions during recent council meetings asked for an update on the progress being made on the Wheeling-Pitt Lofts project, where little if any activity has been observed - at least from the street.
"I have not had an update since the last meeting," Wheeling City Manager Robert Herron said Tuesday night when asked again about movement on the proposed apartment complex.
City leaders have noted that there there are incentives tied to the loft’s development through funds generated by the city’s Tax Increment Finance District.
"Are we getting close to a point where we can start leveraging those TIF funds at all - as leverage to get that project moving?" Seidler asked the city manager.
"The TIF funds are an economic development incentive for the project. Those bonds were sold in November and were set up on what is called a draw schedule," Herron replied. "That draw schedule has been amended for a six-month period."
Herron said the developer is aware of the time parameters set up through the draw schedule, and it would be very difficult to amend it any further than six months.
"The funds are available now," Herron said. "The way it was set up originally was the first draw would be two months after the beginning of construction. So if construction would begin in mid-April, then the developer does not have to wait six months - it can be sooner than that. But extending it past the six months would be problematic, and the developer knows that."
Seidler said he would like to see something happening on the site of the proposed Wheeling-Pitt Lofts.
"Is there anything else that we can do on the city level to pressure them to get started on that project sooner rather than later?" Seidler asked.
"I’ve been in conversation with the developer," Herron said. "I think the developer is engaged. Currently, they are receiving bids and pricing on various aspects of the project. I do anticipate hearing back from him sometime within the next week to 10 days as to the status of that bidding."
Last month, Herron indicated that the developer was preparing to make an announcement on a groundbreaking ceremony for construction of the Wheeling-Pitt Lofts in the coming weeks, noting there was progress being made on the project.
"As of right now, I feel confident that the developer is progressing with what he can do thus far with the project," Herron said Tuesday night. "The interest rates increases have slowed the progress a little bit, as have the increases in material costs, but he’s indicated he’s working through that."
City leaders have noted that both Coon and Johnson are extremely reputable businessmen who have spearheaded major projects in the Ohio Valley and beyond. Johnson helped reopen East Ohio Regional Hospital, and Coon took the lead on the restoration of the Capitol Theatre, as well as other significant historic restoration projects in the region.
Herron assured Seidler that if delays become an issue, the council will have courses of action to take.
"If that falls apart or if there is an issue with that, then certainly that will be brought to city council’s attention," Herron said. "But right now, we’re within the time frames that we’ve agreed to."
Herron also noted on Tuesday night the second major concrete pour was expected to take place today at the Market Street Garage construction site, with a fleet of trucks hauling a continuous supply of concrete onto the property over the course of several hours beginning at 4 a.m. Trucks will enter the site via Chapline Street at the rear of the site near the 11th Street intersection so as to avoid motorists using the major downtown traffic artery of Market Street.
The new parking garage is expected to be completed in October, Herron said. Officials are already taking action to market street-level retail space to potential tenants.
"Actually, I am concerned - I need to see progress," Seidler said after the meeting about work on the Wheeling-Pitt Lofts. "I’m just incredibly perturbed that we will have a finished parking garage before we have anyone to park in it."
A message was left at Coon Restoration and Sealants at its headquarters in Louisville, Ohio, but no one could be reached for comment Tuesday night.