Craig Howell NEW PLAN – Weirton officials will vote on a proposed contract focused on the creation of a new Comprehensive Development Plan, as well as a Downtown Revitalization Plan and a master plan for the city's parks and recreation system.

WEIRTON – Municipal officials are hoping to map out a plan for Weirton’s future, with council set to consider a proposal to create a master plan for the community.

Weirton Council will vote on a resolution, Monday, for professional services with Environmental Planning and Design to provide consulting services to include an update to the city’s Comprehensive Development Plan, as well as to craft proposals for revitalization of Weirton’s downtown and the future of the city’s parks and recreations.

The contract has a cost of $165,000.

“This isn’t a plan that’s going to be developed in the city building,” Mayor Dean Harris explained during Friday’s meeting of the Weirton Finance Committee, noting there will be opportunities for community input and involvement.

Planning and Development Director Mark Miller indicated the process would take between 12 and 14 months, with representatives of the firm meeting with city officials, but also organizing community surveys, attending local festivals and civic events, meeting with businesses and local organizations, and more in order to gather information.

“We want to give people every opportunity to voice their opinion,” Miller said.

City officials began discussions on the project in April 2025 with an eye on the Comprehensive Plan and Downtown Revitalization Plan. Last fall, it was expanded to include Weirton’s Board of Parks and Recreation, with a master plan to cover the city’s parks, playgrounds and other recreational spaces.

City Manager Mike Adams noted an update to the Comprehensive Development Plan is required under state code.

“By code, we have to have a new comprehensive plan every 10 years,” Adams said, adding EPD has done similar work in other communities of similar size as Weirton, with access to similar amenities. “They have done a lot of work for towns like us.”

According to Miller, Weirton’s Comprehensive Plan isn’t due for an update until 2028; however, officials feel there have been enough changes within the community in recent years to justify addressing the task now.

“Enough has happened the last few years to warrant doing it a little early,” Miller said.

Harris said he wants to make sure the plan is available, and usable for years to come, with true community input and not just a document drafted by elected officials.

“Once those politicians leave, it goes on a shelf and never comes out,” he said of past documents, noting he wants to community to have some buy-in and be able to hold the city accountable in its efforts to plan for the future.

Weirton Council will meet at 7 p.m., Monday, in the council chambers of the Weirton Municipal Building.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)