WHEELING - Instead of waiting for a major developer to invest downtown, James Grace wants to see City Council members work to improve the area.
"To attract a multi-million dollar developer downtown, I think, is a pipe dream," Grace, owner of the Tiki Bar & Grill at 1201 Market St., told members during the Tuesday meeting. "I would really like to see you step forward. ... Let's get this downtown moving."
In other business, council members Gloria Delbrugge, Vernon Seals, James Tiu, Don Atkinson, Robert "Herk" Henry, Vice Mayor Eugene Fahey and Mayor Andy McKenzie unanimously approved a resolution trying to prevent the U.S. Postal Service from moving about 30 mail processing jobs to Pittsburgh.
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Photo by Casey Junkins
James Grace, owner of the Tiki Bar and Grill at 1201 Market St. in downtown Wheeling, speaks to City Council members during a Tuesday meeting.
McKenzie also recognized former Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority board member Charles Ballouz - whom the mayor removed from the board Monday - for his 19 years of service with a special proclamation.
Grace, who has been selling his signature grilled pineapple Aloha Burger since opening in January, presented members a two-page detailed report he created that is titled "Downtown Wheeling's Revitalization Plan." The report includes plans for establishing a "consignment district," which Grace said would allow folks to exchange second-hand goods.
"With the economy the way it is, people will bring these items to a single downtown area. You can have a 50-50 deal. Fifty percent will go to the store - 50 percent will go to the public," he said, noting the city would initially own the consignment stores. "We have so many vacant buildings downtown that we can do this inexpensively."
Grace said he would like to make special use of the city-owned buildings in the 1100 block of Market and Main streets.
Last year, council voted to spend $715,000 worth of Tax Increment Financing to purchase the still unoccupied G.C. Murphy, River City Dance Works and Rite Aid buildings. He would like to see the large G.C. Murphy building used as a center for teenagers or seniors.
"We have the nicest city between Pittsburgh and Columbus. ... It is up to the folks in this room to make this city beautiful again," he said.
When he addressed council during a September meeting, members did not respond to his concerns about the downtown business climate. Tuesday, however, Tiu said that council must address the 1100 block buildings at some point.
"I will join Mr. Grace for a walk downtown," Tiu said in expressing interest in the bar owner's ideas.
As for the postal jobs, council's resolution urges residents to contact West Virginia's federal legislators to express their concerns about the proposed move of mail processing to Pittsburgh.
Don Bentz, president of the Wheeling Area Local of American Postal Workers Union, thanked members for their support.
"Pittsburgh thinks this is a done deal. We really need to make a lot of noise on this to get them to pay attention," he said.
Postal Service spokesman Tad Kelley recently said the agency may consolidate its mail processing services by moving the work from Wheeling to Pittsburgh. Since then, postal workers have picketed the Center Wheeling office in protest of the plan.
Up until Monday, Ballouz served as one of five Wheeling members of the OVRTA board, along with City Manager Robert Herron, Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge, Larry "Babe" Schmitt and Margaret Collier. Ballouz said Monday he did not know who McKenzie would appoint to replace him.
The mayor on Tuesday said city resident Wilkes Kinny has been named to replace Ballouz on the OVRTA board.
McKenzie also said he has known Ballouz for a long time and has respect for him. Ballouz said he enjoyed his time on the board.
"It has been a good 19 years. ... We have been very active and productive. I expect that we have one of the best transit authorities, probably in the whole state of West Virginia," Ballouz said in accepting the mayor's proclamation.
The meeting was also the first for new Police Chief Robert Matheny, who assumed his duties Oct. 26.
"It's great to be here. ... I have certainly recognized the skill and professionalism of the members of the Wheeling Police Department," he said.