Hays Landscape Architecture Studio was selected by the Wheeling National Heritage Area Corporation, to complete the final phases of development for the Wheeling waterfront. This new development expanded on an existing
award-winning amphitheater. The development included an Ohio River overlook, bike trail/promenade walk extension, seat walls, a restored historic park space, a public restroom/storage building with rooftop plaza, two ramps providing ADA accessibility to the arena, sidewalks, railroad design interpretation, a statue for UAW leader Walter Reuther, utility infrastructure for festivals, and a grove of trees in memory of Mrs. Robert Byrd. The design philosophy was two-fold:

1) Connectivity was established by opening views to the Ohio River corridor from the 14th Street axis and strengthening pedestrian connections parallel to the river from the existing amphitheater to WesBanco Arena. Construction documents were carefully crafted to blend the detailing of both the existing Wheeling Heritage Port with the existing arena to create a seamless experience.

2) Heritage was considered as design elements such as brick patterns formed railroad boxcars in a sidewalk, and B&O Depot granite blocks were used to interpret Wheeling’s railroad history. Granite pavers emphasized the importance of the river, road, and railroad in making Wheeling the economic hub of the west.