Asbestos Remediation Will Proceed at Old Clay School Site in East Wheeling
The temporary freeze on federal grant funding was lifted, allowing remediation work at the former Clay School building in East Wheeling to resume. The city received a Brownfields grant from the EPA for asbestos remediation, with demolition likely as the preferred course of action. Wheeling City Council is expected to vote on the building’s fate, with most members favoring demolition to make way for a new indoor recreation facility. Engineering proposals are being collected to address demolition challenges, including the building’s role as a retaining wall. The city has secured tentative funding for demolition through the W.Va. EPA’s D-LAP program and will seek additional funding for redevelopment. While past studies showed mixed public opinion on renovation versus demolition, officials believe a new facility is the most financially viable option.