During separate meetings, both the Weirton Area Water Board and the Weirton Sanitary Board approved their portions of plans for what they referred to as the Park Place Commons development.
“This is an important first step,” Utilities Director Butch Mastrantoni said.
The development, an effort from the Business Development Corp. and Park Drive Development LLC, with assistance from the city, would be located along Park Drive, with an entrance directly across from the Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Funding for the development’s infrastructure, including roadways, parking areas, utility lines and more, came from a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant as well as the city’s Tax Increment Financing program.
Currently, two buildings are planned as part of initial construction in the development, both featuring spaces for retail on their main floors, and residential apartments in their upper floors. The development also includes plans for outdoor features, such as a fountain and community fireplace.
Mastrantoni explained, in addition to the two utilities boards, the plat also must receive approval from other municipal departments before going before the city’s Planning Commission.
Officials expect a groundbreaking on the project sometime this year.
“I can’t wait to put shovels in the ground,” Mayor Harold Miller, who also is chair of the Sanitary Board, said, referring to the years of effort it has taken to develop the project.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)