WEIRTON - Although the Weirton Redevelopment Authority could not host a regular meeting Tuesday because of a lack of a quorum, board members discussed the status of the southern redevelopment district and requests for funding.
Chairman Mark Zatezalo told board members present he had spoken with the Brooke County Commission several weeks ago regarding the southern district. He said commissioners were informed the board would like to extend its southern redevelopment district to include the railyard, which is located just outside of the Weirton city limits in Brooke County.
Zatezalo said the railyard is a key part of transportation in the area and having it encompassed in the district plans could prove to be an asset. He said there were questions from the county as to whether the designation would affect the county's ability to collect the taxes for the property.
"We have no intention to take revenue away from Brooke County or annex the property," he said. "We just want to use it as part of our plan for the Southern District."
Zatezalo said Brooke County commissioners requested the board put in writing its request for review and he would do so at his earliest convenience.
In other business, Zatezalo said the Redevelopment Authority has made a request for funds from Weirton City Council. He did not specify the amount requested, only that he would like city council to consider allocating some funds back to the authority. He said council reallocated Community Development Block Grant funds away from the board and now that the Redevelopment Authority has some intentions for funds, such as property appraisals, he would like to see some additional funds given to the board since the city has a higher surplus than anticipated.
Zatezalo said he sent a letter requesting the consideration and will issue another letter for consideration during the budget workshop meeting expected to take place later this month.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
