Old 14th Street

HC's mission involves the Old 14th project which targets a one-block area of East Wheeling. The targeted area lies on 14th Street between the streets of Jacob and Wood. This area is characterized by vacant and dilapidated housing, as well as homes that have been acquired and renovated by homeowners.

Many of the dilapidated properties in the targeted block belong to absentee owners. These owners either cannot afford to maintain their properties or have acquired the units with investment intent and have failed to properly maintain the units. Some of these units are vacant and present health and safety hazards or are boarded and no longer viable. A key concern is the blighting influence of the dilapidated and boarded structures. These conditions present a problem for current residents and discourage new residents from moving into the neighborhood. They also detract from the environment for nearby commercial and government offices such as the Social Security Buidling and nearby community college.

In past eras, Wheeling, as well as the section known as East Wheeling, was a place of great industry and commerce. In the past, the homes and surrounding businesses in East Wheeling were places where prosperity was evident. A goal of HC is to revive the area and to rehabilitate the housing back to its previous Victorian style.