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Just spent a week in Wheeling and think it is a very underrated city. The wealth of beautiful old buildings and the Ohio River running through downtown is pretty amazing. One thing I did not notice is bike paths, maybe I just missed them and the weather was not great for riding during our stay. The town is surrounded by wooded hills and it has wonderful old neighborhoods with some local restaurants that seem out of the 50's / 60's with really good food and super nice and friendly people. There are several good and more trendy places in town but for pure throw back can the Alpha be beat and the food is really good! I hope the powers that be in Wheeling realize they need to preserve all this going forward it cannot be replaced. Look at what other small cities are doing by way of renovation it will pay off. I imagine rents in town are reasonable so if you want to open a small business in a cool old building with lots of character look at Wheeling I think it is ripe for a new lease on life!!!
There is a well maintained, 8 mile long bike trail running the entire length of the city along the Ohio River, and another trail branching off of that one that goes for 5 miles through a historic railroad tunnel along Wheeling Creek, past the more affluent parts of town to the East.
I hope the powers that be in Wheeling realize they need to preserve all this going forward it cannot be replaced. Look at what other small cities are doing by way of renovation it will pay off. I imagine rents in town are reasonable so if you want to open a small business in a cool old building with lots of character look at Wheeling I think it is ripe for a new lease on life!!!
I don't get to say this often for WV, but - for the time being - that's not an issue Wheeling has to worry about. The Mayor is a real estate attorney and historic preservationist.
In my opinion good news, at least on that front. I live near Asheville, NC and because of the great depression and massive debt the city of Asheville
did not tear down old buildings and build new ones and the city just went into hibernation. In part, due to all the historic buildings Asheville's downtown draws tourists in droves. That brings new small business to downtown, not to mention a number of good craft breweries and that has been great draw. Asheville also has beautiful mountain scenery and offers outdoor activities galore. Wheeling is a river town that offers beautiful scenery of a different type. We were really drawn to the river front and wooded hillsides surrounding the city. It seems to have lots of outdoor activities nearby and Wheeling Creek has possibilities for kayaking. We really liked the city and hope it does well but can maintain its unique character as it grows.
edit : Don't listen to a few of the idiots on that reviews section. The trail is fine for the most part... there's a few cracks here and there but generally a few of the people complaining have zero idea what they're talking about and obviously don't appreciate older cities.
Last edited by wanderlust76; 11-29-2017 at 01:58 PM..
Did you see where there is a national 5 state consortium intent on linking up northern WV trails to form a contiguous trail network throughout for former heavy industrial areas? This would also connect the region to the Great Allegheny Passage Trail already linking Pittsburgh to DC.
I was just in Wheeling last week. I visited the Centre Market area for coffee and stopped at the book store. I also was able to visit Oglebay and see the light display. Wheeling was looking pretty good.
I was just in Wheeling last week. I visited the Centre Market area for coffee and stopped at the book store. I also was able to visit Oglebay and see the light display. Wheeling was looking pretty good.
Thank gosh Centre Market is still around. They could do more with the artists area of that, but some of the best soup, pastries, pies, fish can be found there. Soup Shack, etc...
I was born and raised in Weirton. I don’t live there anymore, since I had to move away because the lack of jobs. I hear there are rumors of Big Lots and an Aldi’s Coming. Is there any truth to these rumors? Is there any new businesses that are coming in?
I don't get to say this often for WV, but - for the time being - that's not an issue Wheeling has to worry about. The Mayor is a real estate attorney and historic preservationist.
Wheeling is still a treasure trove of beautiful, historic buildings but it isn't what it once was in that regard. The Diocese wanted a football practice field for Central Catholic High School, and it is a very powerful political force in Wheeling, which is predominantly a Catholic city. They managed to get an entire block of historic buildings torn down for their field. Economic problems associated with the loss of tens of thousands of high paying heavy industry jobs in the early 1980s also took their toll on the housing stock, especially on The Island where there were gorgeous mansions overlooking the river that are now in the vicinity of the casino. That said, aside from Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry, it is Wheeling that easily holds the majority of pre Victorian and Victorian architecture in well maintained condition. The recent revival of the city should assure that continues into the future.
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