Maintenance.
It’s a simple word but a term that needs to be utilized now instead of when it’s too late.
As it was 10 years ago for the last streetscape project.
As it is now with Heritage Port.
Maintenance, ya know, for the chipped bricks, the damaged curbs, the filthy ADA ramps, that first pothole, and the uneven sidewalks once this new streetscape venture is complete in November 2024. For too many times the City of Wheeling has received “gifts” from the state or federal governments only to discover 15 years later a deteriorated mess that’s dangerously close to embarrassing.
How about this time the City has the means for repair? How about we remember this time around that the sidewalks and tree beds are the City’s responsibility, and the state Division of Highways is liable for the curbs, ramps, signals, and actual roadways?
It’s a crazy idea but how about we don’t take the newness for granted this time, and we keep it nice for a while, and we take advantage of a $28 million subsidy for downtown Wheeling’s next-best revitalization? All it would take would be setting aside an ever-so-slight percentage of the User Fee now, and viola!
Sincerely,
Fans of the Facelift
