AN OPEN LETTER TO WHEELING COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THE MAYOR:
While running for office for a complete year before May 2016, the downtown district was a big focus for many of you because that’s what the Main Street organization’s studies dictated, and voters bought in because, well, it was ugly out there then … but is way worse today.
The McKenzie Administration handed over to you a streetscape partnership with the state in 2016, and the initial cost to not only address paving but also the sidewalks and the ADA ramps at all intersections was about $10 million. That number has grown, yes, because of the vaults under those sidewalks, but for two years in a row attempts to gain BUILD Grants from the federal government have failed. Now, half of the soon-to-launch User Fee collection is said to be earmarked for, “infrastructure” and .05 percent of the city’s sales tax is dedicated in the same manner, so perhaps those are options unless the funds have already been earmarked for other issues.
So, what’s the plan? Inquiring minds with misaligned alignments want to know.
As a frequent walker and a 14th Street resident, I for one would like to know the whole plan, but the folks who merely motor through often most likely just want to know when the Main and Market obstacle course will be smoothed.
We do not require renderings, and we’ve already sought out the necessary detours (that can’t be good for business, right?) around the spine-cracking alternative. The BUILD proposal was shot down in early November, and it’s almost Christmas. Give us a gift and something to look forward to in 2020.
Just say when.
Sincerely,
Even You
