COMBINED PUBLIC
NOTICE THAT
INCLUDES:
(1) NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI-RROF); AND
(2) NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT (FONSI)
DATE OF NOTICE: Wednesday, May 21, 2025
RESPONSIBLE ENTITY NAME:
City of Wheeling, WV
RESPONSIBLE ENTITY ADDRESS:
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
TELEPHONE:
(304) 234-3701
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS: The purpose of this notice is to satisfy two (2) separate but related procedural notification requirements for an activity to be undertaken by the City of Wheeling, WV.
(1) NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (NOI-RROF)
On or about Friday, June 6, 2025, the City of Wheeling will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended (P.L. 93-383), to undertake a project funded with CDBG funds for the purpose of substantially rehabilitating, facilitating building preservation, and repurposing the four (4) historically contributing and adjoining buildings addressed as 1423-25 Market Street, 1427-29 Market Street, 1431-33 Market Street, and 1435-37 Market Street.
ASSESSED PROJECT
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 the 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 stabilization, 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 action. 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 the Calendar Year 2025 and be completed in the Calendar Year 2026.
(2) NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT
IMPACT (FONSI)
The City of Wheeling has determined that the above-identified project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. The subject project is assessed under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from NEPA requirements. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Wheeling Department of Community and Economic Development, 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003, and is available for public examination and copying, upon request, during normal business hours Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Wheeling, Department of Economic and Community Development, via mail to: 1500 Chapline Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 or via email to: [email protected]. All comments received by Thursday, June 5, 2025 will be considered by the City of Wheeling prior to authorizing submittal of a request for release of funds to HUD. Commenters should specify which Notice provided herein they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CERTIFICATION
The City of Wheeling certifies to HUD that Mr. Robert Herron, in his capacity as City Manager, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process, and these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Wheeling to use Section 108 CDBG Loan Guarantee funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Wheeling’s certification for a period of fifteen (15) days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following basis: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Wheeling; (b) the City of Wheeling has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations are 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the City of Wheeling or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the projects are unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Section 58.76), and shall be addressed to the HUD Pittsburgh Field Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD), ATTN: Michael Rose, Acting CPD Director, by mail 1000 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1000, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 or by email to PGHCPDObjections@hud .gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Robert Herron,
City Manager
City of Wheeling
1500 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
INT-May 21, 2021