Weirton Council approves CDBG changes for senior center project

WEIRTON -- Despite some initial misgivings from a few members, Weirton Council unanimously approved a measure Monday to reprogram unused Community Development Block Grant funds for the creation of an outdoor activity space at the Greater Weirton Senior Center.

Under the resolution, $51,605.99 in CDBG-Coronavirus funds will be reprogrammed from improvements planned for the Bennett Drive playground. An additional $8,700 in CDBG funds will come from an allotment previously awarded to CHANGE Inc. for the purchase of Cortexflo equipment, while $67,306.67 in CDBG funds will be reallocated from a sidewalk restoration project in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods.

Ward 1 Councilman Tim Connell had originally planned to seek a delay of the proposal but said he spoke with Mayor Dean Harris before Monday’s meeting.

"I got a clear perspective," Connell said, noting the city risked losing the funds if they were not used. "The money was going to go into limbo."

Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead also had previously expressed concerns, particularly because the Bennett Drive project had been planned by the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation, but the decision to reallocate the funds had not been presented to the park board.

"Moving forward, we need to do a better job in communicating between departments," Stead said.

During the citizens comments portion of Monday’s meeting, three representatives of the Greater Weirton Senior Center urged council to support the proposal.

Jeannie Smith, the center’s director, said the planned outdoor space would provide a new recreational outlet for local senior citizens.

"Many of our seniors have had to downsize," she said, noting many no longer have outdoor space for recreation or socializing.

She said the project also would provide a safer environment for seniors.

Lola Swanagan emphasized the sense of community offered by the senior center.

"This is my family," she said, explaining she moved to Weirton from Ohio a couple of years ago while also noting Weirton’s ranking among the best places to retire. "We need to live up to that."

She said seeing people actively using the center could encourage others to move to the community.

Pastor Gary Lilly, a member of the senior center’s board, said the friendships formed there have become increasingly meaningful to him.

"There's a camaraderie, a friendship, a support," Lilly said.

Following the vote, during department head reports, Parks Executive Director Coty Shingle explained that CDBG funds, regardless of how they are allocated, remain under the city’s Planning Department.

"Money that is allocated to us is not our money," Shingle said, adding that if there is a better use for the funds, he is willing to step aside for the benefit of the community. "We're not trying to horde that money."

Shingle said the city had sought bids for the Bennett Drive playground improvements multiple times without success.

Located in Weircrest, the playground includes a small shelter with one picnic table, a swing set with two standard swings and two infant swings, a basketball court and several benches. Discussion of using CDBG funds to improve the playground began in fall 2024.