Wheeling, WV (April 16, 2026) – Five (5) sealed submissions were received by Desmone for the public bid construction of the Wheeling Gateway Visitors and Heritage Center were received and unsealed Thursday afternoon, marking one of the final steps toward mobilizing construction on one of the most transformational development projects in Northern West Virginia’s modern history.
A Once-in-a-Generation Investment
The Wheeling Gateway Visitors and Heritage Center is a prototype for what tourism-driven economic development can look like in West Virginia — and a landmark that will redefine Wheeling’s primary entrance from the I-70 corridor for generations to come. More than 4,200 locals and visitors shaped the direction of this project through extensive community engagement. Their priorities guided every design decision from start to finish, including:
- A direct connection to the Heritage Trail
- Maximized views of the Historic Suspension Bridge
- Experiences rooted in Wheeling’s history
That community vision resonated far beyond city limits
A coalition of federal, state, and local funding sources came together in support of this project, with contributions championed by Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Senator Jim Justice, Governor Patrick Morrisey, Congressman Riley Moore, and Senator Joe Manchin, among others. Most recently, a $2 million allocation was approved through the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2026 to fund the structure connecting the building to the Heritage Trail below, one of the community’s most aspirational goals.
“Going out to bid is how you take the temperature of the market, and that information is what our funding partners asked us to gather. This process gives us a clear picture of what it costs to deliver a project like this in today’s environment,” said Frank O’Brien, Executive Director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention Visitor’s Bureau.
O’Brien continued, “Today, our architect has checked that the bids are all considered qualified and compliant with our funding agencies, and next week, the architect will meet with the three qualified, lowest bids to certify that their pricing matches the scope the project needs.”
“The pricing we’ve received will directly inform how we work with our funding sources to refine our strategy and chart the clearest path forward.”
Overview of Bidding Requirements
The public bidding process was led by the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention & Visitors Bureau in conjunction with Desmone Architects. Because the Wheeling Gateway Center has been made possible through a partnership spanning federal, state, and local funding sources, each with its own compliance requirements, the bid structure was carefully designed to meet the standards of every contributing agency.
To qualify, every contractor who submitted a bid was required to:
- Obtain the complete bid document from the architect
- Attend the mandatory pre-bid meeting and site tour on March 26, 2026
- Submit a fully completed AIA Document A305-2020 “Contractor’s Qualification Statement”
- Submit pricing for all seven base bid packages as outlined in the bid document
Additional project-specific requirements specific to the funding sources included:
- Davis-Bacon Act Wages
- BABA (Build America, Buy America) Act
- Hazardous Soils
Immediately after unsealing, Desmone Architects reviewed all submissions to confirm each met the full qualification requirements before advancing in the process.
Firms that Submitted Completed Bid Packages in the Order they Were Publicly Opened:
- Stonemile Group – $25,900,000
- United Construction Company – $38,309,047
- Rycon Construction Incorporated – $28,895,00
- Mascaro Construction – $33,976,000
- Massaro Corporation – $32,656,600
What Comes Next?
With bids now in hand, they will be sent to funding partners to allow for a review process that will take place from April 17 to April 20 to review the qualified bids through a structured analysis. The three qualified and lowest bidders will then complete a meeting on April 22 to certify their bid scope, price with respect to the drawings and bidding instructions.
Once the project team and funding partners have verified that all submissions are in full compliance with the requirements of every funding source, the contract negotiations will begin with the contractor who submitted the qualified, lowest bid covering the complete project scope as defined in the architectural drawings.
A formal press release and statement will be made by the CVB when this process has concluded.
From the first public meeting to today’s bid opening, the Wheeling Gateway Center has been shaped by the people it will serve.
The support of legislators and agencies across every level of government is a testament to what a community-driven vision can accomplish. The project team looks forward to the next phase, and to welcoming the partner who will help bring this landmark to life.
For more information, news, and updates on the Wheeling Gateway Center project, visit https://wheelinggateway.tippingpointdev.com/.
