City of Wheeling Expanding Façade Improvement Program
WHEELING, W.VA. – After implementing a successful Façade Improvement Program (FIP) for the City’s Central Business District four years ago, Wheeling officials are expanding the program to other areas of the City.
City Council passed a resolution Tuesday evening that will open up the FIP to commercial districts in other Wheeling neighborhoods.
Vice Mayor Chad Thalman said he’s pleased about the expansion of the program.
“The Facade Improvement Program has been very successful over the last few years. I’m excited to be able to expand it to every neighborhood in the City and help local businesses and building owners who may still be recovering from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Director of Building and Planning Tom Connelly explained that the program expansion will allow inclusion of privately owned commercial buildings within the C-1 and C-2 zoning distracts and the Central Business District as well as any property, residential or commercial, in a qualified historic district in the City that has approved Design Review. Connelly noted regulations, the application and zoning maps are available at www.wheelingwv.gov/facade.
Director of Economic and Community Development Nancy Prager said the FIP can provide up to $15,000 based on the project cost.
“Eligible upgrades to the primary façade include exterior building improvements, signage and roof repairs or replacements,” she said. “The purpose of the Façade Improvement Program is to support the revitalization of the City by stimulating private investment in high-quality improvements that enhance the appearance of buildings and properties and eliminate blight and non-conforming design standards.”
Prager further explained that applications will be reviewed by a five-person committee which will then make recommendations to City Council’s Development Committee. The Development Committee will then make a recommendation to City Council as a whole. Council will then approve the projects selected for the FIP. The five-person committee
will consider the following information when reviewing an application and making their recommendation to City Council: historical/architectural significance of the property; number of times the building has been previously funded by program; number of times the owner has been previously funded by program; existing conditions/occupancy status; overall consistency with purpose of the program; evaluation of relative visual public benefit or impact to the streetscape; proposed work to the property; and level of investment.
Prager noted that previously, applications were accepted on a rolling basis, but now they will be accepted quarterly with the coming deadlines being May 28 and Aug. 27, respectively.