Wheeling Forward
2034 Comprehensive Plan
A community-driven roadmap for equitable growth and resilient neighborhoods, the Wheeling Forward Comprehensive Plan positions this legacy city to shape its next chapter through data-informed and engagement-led decision making.
Located in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, Wheeling has long served as a gateway between Pittsburgh and Columbus—its identity shaped by river commerce, industry, and civic innovation. As national economic and demographic shifts continue, the Wheeling Forward Plan establishes a framework for the next decade.
A Systems-Based, Place-Specific Approach
evolveEA led a collaborative, year-long planning process guided by both regional data and lived community experience. The plan identifies six interconnected city-wide systems—Culture, Development, Economy, Housing, Mobility, and Resilience—each with clear goals, objectives, and implementation actions. Neighborhood-specific strategies complement these systems, with particular focus on seven priority districts where infrastructure, housing, and economic opportunities intersect.
Wheeling Community Workshop – evolveEA
Engagement-Driven Decision Making
Diverse voices shaped every phase of the plan. Community Conversations, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and expert-led Action Plan Workshops helped surface critical challenges and local priorities. At public meetings, residents worked alongside city leaders to envision a future where Wheeling becomes a more welcoming, resilient, and innovative city.
A Vision for Wheeling’s Future
The final plan reflects a shared commitment to equity, quality of life, and economic opportunity for all residents. With this framework in place, Wheeling is positioned to leverage new funding, partnerships, and policy tools to advance its transformation as a community of choice.
