WHEELING - After paying $200,000 for the former Rite Aid building at 1135 Market St. last year, Councilmen James Tiu and Robert "Herk" Henry believe it is time to bring down the structure.
Tiki Bar and Grill owner James Grace, meanwhile, wants the city to do something positive with its buildings to generate more activity as part of his "Downtown Wheeling's Revitalization Plan" he presented to council members last week. This plan includes a provision to use the city-owned G.C. Murphy building as a center for teenagers to give local youth something to do.
In September 2008, council spent $715,000 worth of Tax Increment Financing to purchase the G.C. Murphy, River City Dance Works and Rite Aid buildings. After more than a year searching for tenants and exploring options, Tiu and Henry do not see much of a future for the Rite Aid structure.
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"I have been to the top of (Rite Aid), and all the way through it. It is indeed a 'pipe dream' to believe a developer is going to come in and take over these buildings," Tiu said, making a play on the phrase Grace used during the Tuesday council meeting to describe the chances of a major developer investing downtown.
"My idea would be to demolish the Rite Aid building to create a 'historically correct alleyway,'" he said, noting this could help connect the eastern part of downtown to the riverfront area.
"The (G.C.) Murphy building is in pretty good shape, but the Rite Aid building should go," Henry added.
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"My idea would be to demolish the Rite Aid building to create a 'historically correct alleyway.'"
Wheeling Councilman James Tiu
Both councilmen believe Grace's ideas for the G.C. Murphy building have merit.
"We really must find a productive use for the first floor of that building. ... It is a good idea to find productive uses for buildings that can be saved, but we must get rid of blighted ones," Tiu said.
Grace also wants to establish a "consignment district," which he said would allow folks to exchange second-hand goods. Painting, cleaning and beautifying remaining downtown buildings are also high priorities for Grace's plan.
"The city needs to be cleaned up and painted. If you look around the city, it looks old," Grace said.
Grace also believes downtown parking meters discourage business, so he wants to see the meters replaced with solar powered lamp posts. This is a point not lost to Tiu who said his "historically correct alleyway" could also feature parking.
Henry believes Grace's plans are worthy of exploration.
"The problem is that we still have to get someone in here. We can do all these things like cleaning up and painting and whatever, but we still need to get business to come in here," Henry said.
Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge, though not committed to Grace's plans, said, "Someone has to come up with an idea, so it might as well be him."
The council members know that redeveloping downtown Wheeling is a long-term project, but acknowledge that the must start somewhere.
"Downtown can, and should be, the area that generates ideas, employment, tax revenue, culture and education. When city-owned properties hinder this, development goes elsewhere," Tiu said.