Tiki Bar Owner Demands Action From Council on Downtown Area
By CASEY JUNKINS Staff WriterArticle Photos
WHEELING - Instead of waiting for a major developer to invest downtown, James Grace wants to see City Council members work to improve the area.
"To attract a multi-million dollar developer downtown, I think, is a pipe dream," Grace, owner of the Tiki Bar & Grill at 1201 Market St., told members during the Tuesday meeting. "I would really like to see you step forward. ... Let's get this downtown moving."
In other business, council members Gloria Delbrugge, Vernon Seals, James Tiu, Don Atkinson, Robert "Herk" Henry, Vice Mayor Eugene Fahey and Mayor Andy McKenzie unanimously approved a resolution trying to prevent the U.S. Postal Service from moving about 30 mail processing jobs to Pittsburgh.
McKenzie also recognized former Ohio Valley Regional Transportation Authority board member Charles Ballouz - whom the mayor removed from the board Monday - for his 19 years of service with a special proclamation.
Grace, who has been selling his signature grilled pineapple Aloha Burger since opening in January, presented members a two-page detailed report he created that is titled "Downtown Wheeling's Revitalization Plan." The report includes plans for establishing a "consignment district," which Grace said would allow folks to exchange second-hand goods.
"With the economy the way it is, people will bring these items to a single downtown area. You can have a 50-50 deal. Fifty percent will go to the store - 50 percent will go to the public," he said, noting the city would initially own the consignment stores. "We have so many vacant buildings downtown that we can do this inexpensively."
Grace said he would like to make special use of the city-owned buildings in the 1100 block of Market and Main streets.
Last year, council voted to spend $715,000 worth of Tax Increment Financing to purchase the still unoccupied G.C. Murphy, River City Dance Works and Rite Aid buildings. He would like to see the large G.C. Murphy building used as a center for teenagers or seniors.
"We have the nicest city between Pittsburgh and Columbus. ... It is up to the folks in this room to make this city beautiful again," he said.
When he addressed council during a September meeting, members did not respond to his concerns about the downtown business climate. Tuesday, however, Tiu said that council must address the 1100 block buildings at some point.
"I will join Mr. Grace for a walk downtown," Tiu said in expressing interest in the bar owner's ideas.
As for the postal jobs, council's resolution urges residents to contact West Virginia's federal legislators to express their concerns about the proposed move of mail processing to Pittsburgh.
Don Bentz, president of the Wheeling Area Local of American Postal Workers Union, thanked members for their support.
"Pittsburgh thinks this is a done deal. We really need to make a lot of noise on this to get them to pay attention," he said.
Postal Service spokesman Tad Kelley recently said the agency may consolidate its mail processing services by moving the work from Wheeling to Pittsburgh. Since then, postal workers have picketed the Center Wheeling office in protest of the plan.
Up until Monday, Ballouz served as one of five Wheeling members of the OVRTA board, along with City Manager Robert Herron, Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge, Larry "Babe" Schmitt and Margaret Collier. Ballouz said Monday he did not know who McKenzie would appoint to replace him.
The mayor on Tuesday said city resident Wilkes Kinny has been named to replace Ballouz on the OVRTA board.
McKenzie also said he has known Ballouz for a long time and has respect for him. Ballouz said he enjoyed his time on the board.
"It has been a good 19 years. ... We have been very active and productive. I expect that we have one of the best transit authorities, probably in the whole state of West Virginia," Ballouz said in accepting the mayor's proclamation.
The meeting was also the first for new Police Chief Robert Matheny, who assumed his duties Oct. 26.
"It's great to be here. ... I have certainly recognized the skill and professionalism of the members of the Wheeling Police Department," he said.
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youbettie
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11-04-09 7:06 PM
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I actually LIVE in downtown, own a house, and am under the age of 30....I would LOVE to see downtown be a hub of activity again. It is such a bummer to see all of those restaurant facades on 12th (Chinese, Cork and Bottle, ect) just to realize that they are not operating, and have not for a long time. I don't know what the answer is, but I know that the Tiki Bar needs to do more than just pleading to the city for help to keep people coming back. My several experiences were mediocre food, poor service, and Mr. Grace hovering around the table all the time asking how things were...a bit unnerving. We need to get people to WANT to live here. Jobs are great, but you will commute to a job from an area if you like where you live. Clean it up, turn some of the old warehouses/factories into lofts, give the younger gen a reason to stay.
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youbettie
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11-04-09 6:54 PM
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Can't one single post on here ever stay relevant to the article? It is so tedious to scroll through the several of you who start talking about the article then spiral out into your political views, trying to gain the upperhand in the back and forth.....it ALWAYS happens!
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boxerboy
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11-04-09 6:43 PM
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JamesT: Reaganomics was a complete farce. "Trickle-down economics" didn't work because the reinvestment that Ronnie envisioned never occurred.
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pickles
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11-04-09 5:07 PM
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How long did Grace practice this speech? "I demand that you do something to make people eat at my mediocre eatery" I personally appreciate the effort to bring in something different and usually end up supporting any establishment that offers something -but there is an employee working there that has kept me away since my second outing. The food and service were ok, and at leat would warrant another chance, but I won't have CH making my food.
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JamesT
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11-04-09 10:59 AM
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As the local economy grows, so does the tax revenues. The Republican plan brings in more jobs and people at a lower tax rate yet creates more coffers by VOLUME of businesses. The Democrats may get a big revenue at the beginning but losses it in the long run. The local steel companies were hammered by federal,state,local taxes fror years while the EPA and multiple lawsuits and labor disputes lost customers. The foriegn steel producers were subsidized and received tax breaks from thier own governments. Remember when Weirton Steel had the lawsuits from thier own employees? Iraon age magazine and The Wall Street Journal warned investors o fthis employee company suing themselves and WSX stocks crashed. The lawyers made over $12 million dollars and teh five riggers the lawyers represented got nill. Obamo-omics is high taxes on every one so, in a down economy, we hold on to our savings rathe rthan spending. The printing of dollars make the dollar weaker and thus hyper inflation in a few year
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JamesT
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11-04-09 10:50 AM
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A gradual elimination of punitive taxes and tax abatements to attract businesses is done around the country often. The Democrats look at 'Static Revenues". If you raise taxes you will get more revenue. The Republicans look at " Dynamic Revenue ". What will the final revenue be? Let's say we do what California, New Jersey, and New York does. Raises taxes on job creators and the citizens. More tax revenues equals more spending equals higher taxes and the cycle goes on even after jobs and people leave. So, lets simply raise taxes even higher on who is left. Like Pittsburgh abd Allegheny County. Now the Republicans. Give a tax break to citizens and companies while tightening the governments belt. More money for consumers to buy products and services equals more business expansion from Mom & Pop stores to major corporations. Its called "Reaganomics". Tort reform is also needed. Multiple lawsuits even locally have closed businesses from Eagal Manufacturing in We
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JamesT
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11-04-09 10:49 AM
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A gradual elimination of punitive taxes and tax abatements to attract businesses is done around the country often. The Democrats look at 'Static Revenues". If you raise taxes you will get more revenue. The Republicans look at " Dynamic Revenue ". What will the final revenue be? Let's say we do what California, New Jersey, and New York does. Raises taxes on job creators and the citizens. More tax revenues equals more spending equals higher taxes and the cycle goes on even after jobs and people leave. So, lets simply raise taxes even higher on who is left. Like Pittsburgh abd Allegheny County. Now the Republicans. Give a tax break to citizens and companies while tightening the governments belt. More money for consumers to buy products and services equals more business expansion from Mom & Pop stores to major corporations. Its called "Reaganomics". Tort reform is also needed. Multiple lawsuits even locally have closed businesses from Eagal Manufacturing in We
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BurningUp07
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11-04-09 10:48 AM
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I disagree with his idea for the Murphys building, we don't need any more senior citizen centers for gods sake. We have an arena that barely even gets used for some reason, and once the Nailers are gone it will be used even less. Murphys building should be used for the same types of things the old Stones building is being used for. If it isn't going to be used for that in the fore-seable future, LEVEL IT.
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GETACLUE
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11-04-09 8:20 AM
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Ellis your plan is not very well thought out. 1) If you eliminate B&O Tax what do you replace the lost revenue with? 2) You constantly scream about Govt. being too big and competing with private industry now you want City Govt. to become LANDLORDS??? 3)You have already removed B&O tax and now you want bigger cuts. HOW DO YOU REPLACE THE LOST REVENUE??? 4) Do you have any idea the amount of money you are talking about for replacing water lines alone, it would be in the 10's of MILLIONS DOLLARS. 5) Charleston passed some reforms that was going to make my auto insurance premium decrease. To date my auto Insurance has increased by 75 dollars for the year. 6) As if they haven't tried. Once again you want the city to give free office space to anyone willing to locate here. Yet the private property owners of downtown should just give free rent too or go out of business. 7) There is not a whole lot of crime in downtown Wheeling but you wouldn't know that because YOU DON'T LIVE HERE
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boxerboy
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11-04-09 7:16 AM
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It's all very well to rail against the system and make outlines for changes you want to see happen, but just talking about it isn't enough. Now and then a bit of action is required to put in motion the things you talk about. Talk is very easy, you don't have to do anything, but work is much harder and you have to accept that you won't always be successful and if you falter you always will be criticized fro trying. In much the same way you criticize others you have to take a chance on people and hope to do your best. Women are the catalyst for real change. If we want Wheeling to turn around, and we do, the wives must be energized by a passion for the rebirth and nurturing of the community. To that end we must put in place certain institutions that will galvanize feminine interest, such as a place for artistic expression. Women will bring the husbands to their way of thinking. Change can happen but it takes all our efforts.
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boxerboy
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11-04-09 6:22 AM
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Well, Ellis, it has been said that we get the government we deserve. Why don't you run for office? You could register as a democrat so your vote would count....
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EllisWyatt
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11-04-09 6:13 AM
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There is NO reason why Wheeling is not a major back office, IT, research and venture capital nub. The ONLY reason for Wheeling, and West Virginia's, failures is its' political "leadership", or lack thereof. Too many good ole boys. Too many people getting themselves elected so that they can benefit financially from development. Too much corruption. Too many crimes. Too little imagination. Get it together, Wheeling! I just gave you a blueprint for success!
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EllisWyatt
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11-04-09 6:11 AM
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How about this, city "leaders"? 1) Reduce or eliminate the B&O tax for new and existing businesses in the downtown area for a period of 10 years. 2) Take the money you are wasting on projects such as the Capitol and invest in first class office space, with green technology, super fast internet, etc. Start putting out to rent or sell. 3) Offer tax incentives to companies that bring jobs. 4) Use the pork money you get for Byrd Droppings and put it towards infastructure, ie. water lines, streets, sidewalks, landscaping, etc. 5) Demand that Charleston pass tore reform, tax reform and an Open Shop law. 6) Go out and try and attract 1 or 2 Fortune 500 companies to locate their HQ in Wheeling. Free office space, whatever. Once you have 1 or 2, you have credibility. Other companies won't be afraid to take the leap. 7) Clean up downtown and stomp on criminals.
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