Along with the paved roads and new signalization in downtown Wheeling, Main and Market streets now feature new grow boxes and bioswales that will require the attention of those attending Friday evening’s Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade.
The $37 million streetscape project is now scheduled for completion in the spring of 2026; however, the primary roadways in downtown are nearing completion. Main Street was paved during the summer of 2024, and Market was smoothed this past September, but the new environmentally friendly design included partially landscaped areas that are at least 18 inches deep in a number of areas along the parade route.
Plus, most of those new drainage systems and the landscaping are situated in areas that spectators used to utilize as viewing spaces, and that’s why City Manager Robert Herron encourages parade goers to pay attention to the altered environment.
“Anytime someone attends any type of public event, they should be aware of their surroundings,” he said. “We have worked diligently with Appalachian Power to get our streetlights back up after they were removed for the streetscape, and our downtown is now very well illuminated.
“They are all LED now, and it’s really bright now,” Herron explained. “Our lighting at Market Plaza has been converted, too, and so have the lights at Heritage Port. It all looks spectacular.”
The parade begins around 6:30 p.m. and will step off near Centre Market and continue north on Market Street before turning west on 19th Street and then south on Main Street, then finish in front of Main Street Bank at 20th Street.
“By now, everyone should know about the streetscape in downtown Wheeling and know what to expect, so we just ask people to be careful. We don’t want anyone to get hurt because they’re not paying attention,” Herron said. “And we hope everyone realizes that there are new garbage cans everywhere along the parade route, and they will be maintained during the event on Friday night.
“The areas for the bioswales and the landscaping areas are not for trash, and we know people realize that. We just hope the people attending the parade don’t use those areas for trash,” he said. “The vast majority of people are very good when it comes to not littering, but we do see some litter every year after the parade. That’s why our crews make a sweep as soon as the parade is over.”
The Main Street Bank Fantasy in Lights Parade is orchestrated by the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce, an organization that named its new president – Jennifer Materkoski – this week after Kurt Zende resigned to return to the City of Wheeling as its economic development specialist. The parade’s course was changed the past two years because of streetscape construction, but Herron is excited for its return to the downtown area.
“We’ve been working with the Wheeling Chamber for the last four years on the parade route and the issues with the streetscape. Even before the streetscape, there were concerns about the condition of Main and Market streets with all of the infrastructure work that was happening,” Herrson explained. “But everyone is really excited to get back to the original course this Friday evening.
“Along with the new lighting in our downtown, the city worked with Wheeling Heritage for the new ornaments that are on our light poles along Main and Market streets, and they look terrific,” he said. “Plus, the Capitol Theatre will be open, we have the new Jingle Bar on that corner, and the Bridge Tavern and River City both will have their outdoor dining areas open.
“As long as the weather cooperates, it should be a very special evening in downtown Wheeling, and we encourage everyone to pay attention to the new surroundings.”
