Photo by Derek Redd

Fencing is now up around the former Wheeling Inn, in preparation for asbestos removal and removal of other materials that will begin Wednesday. Following that cleanup, the building will be torn down.

The tear-down of the Wheeling Inn at the top of Main Street will begin with a bang Wednesday.

At noon Wednesday, Raze International the awning of the Wheeling Inn will be demolished, allowing for adjacent truck access next to the former motel rooms, making it easier for crews to clean out the building. It will be the first step in the removal of the former motel and the arrival of the Gateway Center. The $13-$16 million project ultimately will include a visitors center that the Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau believes will be a proper introduction to the city.

After that, for the next eight weeks, Raze will remove asbestos, other hazardous materials and other items left behind from the former motel. Wheeling CVB Executive Director Frank O’Brien said there should be no delay to beginning to demolish the building once that cleanup us over. He anticipates that to start sometime in early September and a groundbreaking ceremony to be announced later this summer.

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