Weirton's Park Drive Development nears completion, promises economic boost

Thank you to WTOV9 & Reporter Skylar Sobansky for the great coverage of this story!

WEIRTON, W.Va. — The Park Drive Development in Weirton is nearing a significant milestone as Building 1 of Phase 1 on Three Springs Drive approaches completion.

It was made possible through a partnership with the Business Development Cooperation, the Park Drive Development and the City of Weirton.

After the purchase of the land, Park Drive Development investor Eric Frankovitch said there was an economic downturn, so it took a while to get things moving.

However, things will be opening soon.

"We are excited,” said Frankovitch, one of four investors in the 70-acre property. “There has been a number of delays which has been frustrating, but we are finally there. We believe and we have been promised by the contractors by April 1st the apartments will be ready.

"The commercial units will have a little bit longer but certainly within the next probably 60 to 90 days they will be open as well."

There will be retail space on the first floor and apartments on the second floor. Amenities include a fountain, fireplace, and green space.

Eventually another building will rise to mirror Building 1, offering even more living and commercial spaces.

"There is a housing need, and we know there is a strong interest in the apartments. We thought it was a good mix. We have seen it in other locations Cleveland, Myrtle Beach, similar type of situation and though it was very attractive and go over very well," Frankovitch said.

He and other developers have been working with Cedar One Group with the hope to attract business and make Weirton a place for generational retention, especially with their location right off U.S. 22.

"We are right off the interstate, so people that want to live here and maybe work at the airport or work in Robinson or Pittsburgh -- you can't be in West Virginia and have a better spot," Frankovitch said.

Cedar One Group Owner Joe Luckino said Building 1 is already more than 70 percent occupied for the apartments on the second floor with five commercial leases signed on the first floor.

"It is amazing and all we are marketing with is the pictures that we have and the renderings from the architect,” Luckino said. “So, people are hungry for new inventory, they are hungry to have something new." Over the next several years, there will be even more development taking place in the area.