Wheeling moves forward with dual parking lot projects, one completed while another is torn down

WHEELING, W.Va. — The city of Wheeling has two parking projects underway and city officials say each is progressing on schedule.

“We are in a unique situation right now as we are demolishing an existing parking structure and finishing up construction of a new one,” said City Manager Robert Herron.

The Wheeling Center parking structure will officially be demolished on Friday or early next week.

The Market Street parking garage, meanwhile, is officially finished. Herron said the contractor on site expects demobilization to be complete by Sept. 13. The garage will open to the public shortly after.

“Right now, we anticipate that about half of that space will be occupied by monthly downtown parking users,” Herron said. “We anticipate that there will probably be 25 to 50 temporary parking users per day.

“And one of the most interesting things about this project is that there are four electric vehicle chargers on the premises.”

Once the new infrastructure is up and running, 11th Street will finally reopen and serve as the main entrance to the parking garage. Herron said this is an important step in the development of downtown, as the street has been closed since the project began years ago.

“It’s a two-way street, so you can exit Chaplain Street or Market Street to enter the structure, and I certainly think it will help with traffic flow downtown, particularly with everything that’s going on on Market Street right now.”

The monthly parking pass for the Market Street Garage will be $60 per vehicle.

As for the EV chargers, the city has not yet provided a price on how much each visit will cost. As that information becomes available, NEWS9 will keep you posted.