Wheeling, WV (February 19th, 2025) – The Wheeling-Ohio County Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB), in conjunction with Wheeling Heritage, Wheeling Heritage Foundation, Ohio County, and Desmone Architects haverecently completed interviews with Hilferty & Associates, TimeLooper, and Ralph Appelbaum Associates for the Wheeling Gateway Center’s Heritage Experience Design request for proposals (RFP).
Members from each of these organizations evaluated each team on their overall project methodology, proposed key milestones, schedule, communication plan, and overall capacity to lead the discovery, planning, and design of the heritage exhibit that will be featured inside the Gateway Center project.
Each stakeholder provided their own scores on each of the categories, and in the end, the New York based exhibit planning and design team with TimeLooper received the highest score, followed by Hilferty & Associates, and then Ralph Appelbaum Associates. The procurement process followed the State of West Virginia’s 5G guidelines, which means that the TimeLooper team will enter into contract negotiations to complete the work.
“Each firm presented thoughtful and innovative design solutions and methodologies tailored to attracting visitors to the region and this transformative project,” said Frank O’Brien, Executive Director of the Convention Visitors Bureau.
O’Brien added, “This exhibit will focus on creating a meaningful connection between our past and our present. TimeLooper brings a unique approach to making history feel alive and relevant, ensuring that visitors of all ages and backgrounds can engage with our stories in powerful ways.”
The project is set to redefine the City of Wheeling’s primary entrance from the I-70 corridor, situated next to the iconic and historic Wheeling Suspension Bridge, and bolster economic growth through tourism in the Northern West Virginia panhandle.
Once contract negotiations are complete, the next step towards completion of the heritage experience design will be for the selected firm to begin the discovery and pre-design process, which will include historical research and the engagement of regional and community stakeholders to lay the foundation for the future exhibit.
“When completed, the design of this heritage experience will be unparalleled in its ability to present the history of our area in unique ways. Telling the Wheeling story and getting visitors and locals excited to go out and explore all our area has to offer has always been the goal.
Wheeling Heritage is grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity to play a part in this project, and we are so excited for the outcome that TimeLooper will deliver to the community,” said Scott Schenerlein, Executive Director of Wheeling Heritage.
The RFP for Discovery, Planning, and Design of the Heritage Experience was released on November 18th, 2024. Nine proposals were received, with three finalists announced on January 24th, 2025.
Further information, news, and updates on the Wheeling Gateway Center project, please visit https://wheelinggateway.tippingpointdev.com.
