FOCAL POINT — This community fireplace will serve as part of the recreational commons area for the Park Place development along Park Drive. Plans also call for a water fountain. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON – A development project well over a decade in the making took a major step forward Friday.

In 2006, Park Drive Development LLC purchased 72 acres of property within the Three Springs Business Park with plans to prepare the land for future business. Following various hurdles in the years since, as well as forming a partnership with the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle and the City of Weirton, those involved celebrated their first milestone Friday, officially breaking ground for what will be the development’s first retail and residential space.

“People are hungry for progress and we’re seeing that today,” explained Joseph Luckino of Cedar One Realty, who served as master of ceremonies for the groundbreaking at the development now dubbed “Park Place,” along Park Drive. “Weirton truly is a gateway of progress for the Ohio Valley.”

Eric Frankovitch, speaking on behalf of the partners of Park Drive Development LLC, explained the importance of the project to each of them.

“We were born here, raised here, went to school here,” Frankovitch said, noting each also has raised their own families in Weirton. “We’re invested in Weirton. We want to make it a better place.”

In addition to Frankovitch, members of Park Drive Development include J.J. Bernabei, Jason Backel and Michael Simon.

Calling it the first phase of construction, Frankovitch explained the initial development is set to include 24,000 square feet of space for a variety of retail establishments on the main level, with a second floor featuring 32 “executive style” apartments.

Plans call for two buildings on the initial acreage, which also will feature a recreational commons area with a community fireplace and plans for a water fountain.

An additional 50 to 60 acres also is available for future development, Frankovitch noted.

Through its partnership agreement for the project, the BDC worked to clear and prepare the land with support from a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Authority, with the City of Weirton focusing on development of the roadways, sidewalks and utilities.

“The vision for this project was to grow Weirton from the inside-out,” said Jacob Keeney, executive director of development for the BDC, pointing to the commitment of those involved despite the challenges of recent years, including inflation and the COVID pandemic.

In the years since the project was launched, Weirton has become the focus of many other business and industrial opportunities, something Keeney said will only benefit the Park Place development.

“There’s a surplus of interest, and this is going to capture it,” Keeney said.

Flora Perrone, Ward 5 councilwoman, spoke on behalf of the Weirton city administration, referring to a passage from the Book of Matthew, while thanking those involved for their faith in the community.

“You have been faithful in a dark time when things didn’t look good,” she said. “I believe in this moment on, we’re going to see a reward.”

Fred Marsh, the councilman in whose ward the development is located, also offered his thanks.

“They’re taking a big leap of faith,” he said. “There were walls and roadblocks, and we got it done.”

Brooke County Commissioner A.J. Thomas noted he has driven past the site on numerous occasions.

“When you get in here, it is beautiful,” he said, also commending the local developers for their vision.

Recognition also was given to McKinley Architecture and Engineering, which has served as the general contractor for the project; Franjo Construction Corp., who is overseeing construction of the buildings; and First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union, which has financed the project.