The historic Hazel-Atlas building in East Wheeling could soon have a new owner.

Youth Services System has offered to purchase the building, located at 87 15th St. and owned by West Virginia Northern Community College, said Lawrence Bandi, vice president of Administrative Services at WVNCC.

Bandi said Friday the college's board has accepted an offer from YSS, pending financing and other details. He noted YSS has until Nov. 30 to finalize the purchase.

''They presented an offer and we accepted it, contingent on an environmental study and the normal conditions with a sale,'' he noted.

Bandi said he did not know how YSS would use the building. YSS officials could not be reached for comment Friday at press time.

YSS currently is headquartered at the old Lincoln School, located at 1000 Chapline St. It provides a variety of day and residential services for "high-risk/high-need young persons and their families," according to the YSS Web site.

Bandi noted the college was pleased to receive an offer so soon after placing the building on the real estate market. The college's asking price was $690,000.

The structure once served as the general office building of the Hazel-Atlas Glass Co., according to the Ohio County Public Library's online history Web site. The college used the building for classroom space, including its culinary arts school.

The culinary school was moved to the new Education Center, a renovated grocery warehouse near the college's main B&O Building on 16th Street in downtown Wheeling.

Table gambling dealer classes currently are being held at Hazel-Atlas.

And when the building is sold, Bandi said the school aims to rent space for the existing two table gambling classes until an alternative new or existing space is ready.

The Hazel-Atlas once was used by West Liberty State College. WVNCC began using it in 1972. According to the Paull Associates' real estate Web site, the four-story structure was built in 1931.

WVNCC is selling the building because it's in the process of creating a campus atmosphere in downtown Wheeling. Its main B&O Building is located on 16th Street in the downtown.

The goal is to have classes within a walking distance of 10 minutes or less.

The Hazel-Atlas was put on the real estate market sometime in June.

Bandi noted a $1.4 million renovation project inside the B&O Building is now complete.

The college also has been hunting for an existing building to renovate or a plot of land to build on near the B&O Building to form a new Technology Center.

The college has the opportunity to use capital improvement revenue bonds, thanks to a law approved by the state Legislature.

About $6 million is expected to be used for the center and a building addition at the Weirton campus.