Craig Howell MOVING AHEAD – A resolution approved by Weirton Council Monday night would transfer the former Weirton Elks Lodge building, at 3429 Main St., to the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle, in order for the non-profit economic development organization to oversee a renovation of the building.

WEIRTON – The former home of a local chapter of a nationwide civic and charitable organization may have a new life in the future.

Weirton Council, during its meeting Monday, approved a resolution that would see the city enter into a grant and redevelopment agreement with the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle to redevelop the building which once served as the home of the Weirton lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

City Manager Mike Adams said the goal is to get the building weather-tight and renovated, then market it for new occupancy.

He said, despite issues with the building’s roof, he believes it can be repurposed for a future use.

“It looks bad, but its bones are good,” Adams said Monday night.

The city took ownership of the building approximately a year ago, according to Planning and Development Director Mark Miller, following the Elks Lodge’s 2023 closure and as a result of various related code and safety issues.

City officials evaluated the possibility of demolishing the building, with an estimated cost of $145,000, along with additional costs for restoration of neighboring facades and other improvements.

By conveying the property to the BDC, the city feels there will be a better opportunity for the site to be rehabilitated, with the city providing a grant of $145,000 derived from municipal general fund dollars established for demolition projects to be used for rehabilitation, stabilization and redevelopment of the property.

The BDC will then be responsible for any environmental testing, assessments and due diligence for the property, be required to commit a minimum of $25,000 of its own funds to the project and maintain the property while actively seeking tenants.

During the May 8 Weirton Finance Committee meeting, BDC Executive Director Anthony Clements noted, while there is much work involved in the project, especially with the roof collapsing and the resulting environmental exposure creating internal damage, the project fits in with some of the agency’s program goals.

“Over the past two years, we’ve been focusing on downtown,” Clements said, noting the demolition of the Magnone Building on Main Street and the former Weirton Daily Times offices on Lee Avenue, as well as its ongoing project to rehabilitate the former People’s Bank building for use as its offices. “We’re trying to get people to invest in downtown.”

Clements said work would include getting the building weather-tight, gutting the interior of the structure, running new electrical service and cleaning up the exterior, among other tasks.

Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead said a focus on downtown also is part of the city’s plan, with officials also voting Monday to begin work on the process of developing a new comprehensive plan for Weirton, along with a downtown revitalization plan and a master plan for parks and recreation.

“It ties into what we want to do with moving the community forward,” Stead said May 8.

A project advisory committee will be involved in the project, including representatives of the BDC and city to provide guidance.