CITY OF WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA
Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in
a Federal Flood
Management Standard Designated Floodplain
Publication Date: Monday August 11, 2025
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that the City of Wheeling has, pursuant to 24 CFR Part 58, determined that the following proposed action under HUD’s Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Community Project Funding (CPF) Congressionally Directing Spending Grant (B-24-CP-WV-239) is located in a FEMA designated 1-percent-annual- chance Floodplain (100-year floodplain) and the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) 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. The proposed action is located at 949 Main Street, Wheeling, WV (Ohio County). The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2-percent- annual-chance flood approach. According to FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panel 54069C0053D (eff. 07/17/2006), Zone AE floodplain occurs along the portion of the project site adjacent to the Wheeling Heritage Trail and the proposed action could impact up to approximately 800 square feet in this mapped Zone to accommodate the elevator tower and external stairs that will provide an ADA-compliant connection between the project site and the trail. The existing natural beneficial functions of this floodplain include floodwater storage and conveyance, and habitat for flora and fauna. The existing intrinsic values along the Ohio River and associated floodplain include recreational, educational, scientific, historic, and cultural values.
Proposed Action:
The following proposed action is subject to the 8-Step Decision-Making Process under 24 CFR 55.20:
-Wheeling Gateway Center Project: EDI-CPF Congressionally Directed Spending Grant funds will be used to develop a new visitors center to provide a welcoming destination for visitors and residents to enjoy Wheeling’s heritage and natural beauty while supporting the rejuvenation and revitalization of the entire region. The project will include a restaurant, office space, and associated infrastructure in the heart of downtown Wheeling along the Ohio River front. The project will be constructed on a vacant lot that was the former site of the Knights Inn hotel which blocked views of the Historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge. The former hotel and parking area were previously removed with State of West Virginia resources. The proposed Gateway Center building footprint will be approximately 8,425 square feet with a total built area of approximately 13,460 square feet. The only portion of the project site located within the FEMA designated 1-percent- annual-chance Floodplain (100-year floodplain) and the FFRMS floodplain is the elevator tower and external stairs that will provide an ADA-compliant connection between the Gateway Center and the Wheeling Heritage Trail. The total estimated project cost is $23,400,000, $5 million of which will be in federal EDI-CPF Grand funds, $1,839,750 in federal Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant funds, and $6,400,000 in federal Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) grant funds. The project is expected to start in Calendar Year 2025 and be completed in Calendar Year 2027. 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 Tuesday, August 26, 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
nprager@
wheelingwv.gov.
A full description of the proposed project 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
Int. Aug 11, 2025