A convention center and a 200,000-square-foot retail store are being planned for the western end of The Highlands.
TRIADELPHIA, W.Va. — Ohio County Commissioner Randy Wharton said a 200,000-square-foot “big box” store is on its way to The Highlands, and he confirmed a convention center with hotel also is in the works.
By comparison, the Cabela’s building at The Highlands encompasses 176,000 square feet of space, while most local anchor stores have about 100,000 square feet.
The conference center, meanwhile, would tie into meeting areas being made available in the West Liberty University building at The Highlands.
Both facilities would be constructed in an area being cleared off at the western end of The Highlands past the Power Center, and deals finalizing both projects could be discussed when the Ohio County Develpment Authority meets at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St.
“We are working on a conference center, but we can’t reveal any details because the deal is not completely done yet,” said Wharton, who also serves as president of the development authority. “The development authority has authorized us to close, and we’re waiting for the closing.”
Wharton believes a convention center at The Highlands would help bring other tenants to the development.
“This conference center with hotel … once it starts bringing people in, it will make space more attractive to anyone who wants to move in,” he said.
At one time, an amusement park named “Wild Escape” was discussed for the land at the western end of the development, but Wharton is skeptical that the decade-delayed project is still viable and said the county is actively seeking interested tenants for the property.
“Eventually, we will have opportunities that will take us into that area,” Wharton said. “The theme park was a huge undertaking that didn’t happen, and hasn’t happened. We made a mistake allowing someone to make that announcment.
“I haven’t spoken to anyone on that project for five to six years, and we’re not actively working on that. My hope is we develop that area – without the theme park is all right for me.”
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