CITY OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA
Final Notice and Public Explanation of Proposed Activities that may be in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Designated Floodplain
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that the Wheeling’s Department of Economic and Community Development under 24 CFR Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order(s) 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 Wetlands Protection. The following proposed action is funded under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 108 Loan Guarantee Program and is located within a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) designated floodplain.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION:
The following proposed project/activity is subject to the 8-Step Decision-Making Process under 24 CFR 55.20. The City of Wheeling’s floodplain considerations are provided following the activity description.
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. The addresses of the buildings are 1423-1437 Market Street. 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 Façade Grant, etc. The project is expected to start in Calendar Year 2025 and be completed in Calendar Year 2026.
The City of Wheeling has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and reserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplain:
All work will be limited to the stabilization, rehabilitation, renovation, and preservation of four buildings identified as contributing to the Wheeling Historic District (Wheeling Central Business District) listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Part of building stabilization will include the demolition of the rear addition to the 1423 Market Street building, thereby restoring the floodplain, though inconsequential given the scale the downtown built environment that occupies the subject floodplain.
No expansion of the existing building footprints or new ground disturbance will be conducted as a part of the proposed action that might otherwise adversely impact the natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values floodplain.
As required by section 102(a) of the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4012a), the City of Wheeling, as a mitigation measure, will require flood insurance in an amount at least equal to the project cost less estimated land cost, the outstanding principal balance of any HUD-assisted or HUD-insured loan, or the maximum limit of coverage available under the National Flood Insurance Program, whichever is least, as set forth in 24 CFR 55.5. As required by 24 CFR 55.4, the City of Wheeling, as a mitigation measure, will require the property owner to notify buyers, developers, renters, tenants, etc. of the floodplain hazard, the availability of flood insurance for personal property, the location of ingress and egress routes relative to the FFRMS floodplain, available emergency notification resources, and the properties’ emergency procedures for occupants/residents in the event of flooding. The City of Wheeling has determined that because the proposed action will have no adverse impacts on the natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the floodplain, consideration of alternatives is not warranted.
The City of Wheeling has reevaluated alternatives to building in the FFRMS Floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, are available for public inspection, reviewing, and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. 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. 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 on or before Monday, April 21, 2025 or seven (7) calendar 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-4-14-2025