CITY OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA
EARLY NOTICE AND PUBLIC REVIEW
OF PROPOSED
Activity in a
Designated Floodplain
Publication Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the City of Wheeling’s Department of Economic and Community Development under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under HUD’s Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program is located in a FEMA designated 1% Annual Chance Floodplain (100-year floodplain) and the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) freeboard value approach designated floodplain, and the City of Wheeling will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed actions, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS:
The following project/activity is subject to the 8-Step Decision-Making Process under 24 CFR 55.20:
Ohio Valley Food and Innovation Hub: HUD Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program funds will be used to significantly stabilize, rehabilitate, and renovate four (4) adjoining, historically contributing buildings that have been vacant for over a decade and are in a critical state of neglect and deterioration. Part of building stabilization will include the demolition of the rear addition to the 1423 Market Street building. The project will lead to approximately 20,189 square feet of commercial rentable space on the first floor and lower levels and nine (9) new dwelling units on the upper floor levels. All restoration and renovation work will be contained within the existing building footprints. No building additions or new ground disturbance will be conducted as a part of the undertaking. The total estimated project cost is $15,393,811.00, $2 million of which will be in Section 108 Loan Guarantee Programs fund. Other project funding sources include New Market Tax Credits, Federal and State Historic Tax Credits, Wheeling Heritage Grant, and City of Wheeling Facade Grant, etc. The project is expected to start in Calendar Year 2025 and be completed in Calendar Year 2026. The proposed project/activity location is within the City of Wheeling, Ohio County, West Virginia. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the City of Wheeling’s Department of Economic and Community Development by Friday, April 11, 2025 or fifteen (15) days from the date of the publication of this notice. Written comments may be submitted to City of Wheeling either by mail to ATTN: Ms. Nancy Prager, Director of Economic and Community Development, 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 or by email to [email protected]. A full description of the proposed project/activity identified herein may be reviewed during normal business days Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Department of Economic and Community Development at 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003.
Mr. Robert Herron,
City Manager
City of Wheeling
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
INT-March 27, 2025