REVIEWING THE WORK — Officials with the Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle and the College of St. Joseph the Worker provided an update on construction work at the former People’s Bank building in Weirton Wednesday morning. Inside the facility are, from left, are BDC Economic Development Specialist Jordan Allen, BDC Executive Director Anthony Clements and college President Jacob Imam. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — The Business Development Corp. of the Northern Panhandle is on track to be in its new home this summer.

Officials with the local economic development agency which serves Hancock and Brooke counties announced plans in October to relocate from their current space on Penco Road to the former People’s Bank building in Weirton’s downtown.

“Since then, we’ve received a lot of positive reception,” BDC Executive Director Anthony Clements said, noting he’s been stopped by residents wishing to learn more about the plans for the local landmark.

The work is being performed in partnership with the College of St. Joseph the Worker, with the school’s students performing much of the construction.

Jacob Imam, president of founder of the College of St. Joseph the Worker, explained the college had approached the BDC about the possibility of partnering on a project and found the plans for the People’s Bank to be in line with their mission of providing educational opportunities in the trades and contributing toward economic growth in the community.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1995, the building was designed in a classical revival style and built under the direction of contractor Clyde Cattrell and architects Peterson & Clarke, according to a copy of its nomination form found through the West Virginia Culture Center’s website. The People’s Bank first organized in 1923, with David M. Weir serving as its first president. It moved to the Main Street building in 1930. The bank would operate out of the building until 1962, with the building renovated in 1993.

Currently, framing for office space is going up in the main area of the building, but Imam and Clements explained there had been issues with the roof, as well as mold and other physical issues which have needed addressed as part of the work, along with the internal demolition work.

“There are aspects to the build that are technical and complicated,” Imam said. “There was a bit of structural work as well as remediation.”

Clements noted the BDC had its eye on some type of project for the building before making the decision to convert it into the agency’s new office, with schematics drawn up in an effort to market it to prospects.

The college became a key component and the perfect partner, he said.

The location, also, is perfect for the economic development agency, Clements said, because of its location, being in downtown Weirton and right on Main Street.

“We’re right here on West Virginia 2,” he said.

Plans call for the project to be completed in June.