Wheeling is currently pursuing a major downtown demolition initiative with entire blocks set to come down. While some of the buildings are certainly historically significant and all stand at the center of downtown, this is a difficult decision given their physical deterioration and the market demand in Wheeling.

 

I grabbed a few quick photos during a rain storm while passing through to PA last weekend.

 

DiCarlo's Restaurant (1222 Main)

 

Reichart Furniture Building/Heritage Port Business Center

 

The front may be cladded, but the back is interesting

 

 

Details lost from the Wheeling skyline

 

 

This restored building will be left standing alone on the block

 

Finally, the 1100 block of both Main and Market Streets will be demolished, leaving only two corner buildings. To the best of my knowledge, all these pictured buildings are set to come down.

 

First, Main Street:

 

 

 

 

The cladded building appears to have a green terra cotta facade

 

 

Market Street:

 

 

 

More information here:

http://wheelingdba.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/httpwww-theintelligencer-netpagecontent-detailid5520341100-block-opportunities-unclear-htmlnav515/

 

Shame.

Is there anything being built in place of the buildings that are coming down?

This really sucks, but I expected this to happen.  There's no people to fill those buildings.  There is no economy that they can be tasked with.

Thanks for giving us a peek before these beauties disappear.

I was amazed with Wheeling from the first time we drove through in 1971 or 72.  It looked like a big city (and still looks like a decent sized town) with lots of interesting buildings.  Too bad that it's one of those places that everyone is leaving...