WHEELING — As a retired Wheeling Fire Department inspector, Councilman Dave Palmer said the city-owned structure at 1429 Market St. sets a poor example for members of the public when it comes to addressing problems with their buildings.

Nearly four months have passed since bricks tumbled from the building, while the bulge in its rear wall continues a slow expansion.

Barricades obstruct the alley behind the structure, as they have since June 5.

“It is definitely a hazard. It should have been taken care of by now,” Palmer said Friday.

“We need to work in a more timely manner to correct problems like this to set a better example for the citizens. This happened in June, after all. Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt.”

Earlier this summer, Wheeling leaders allocated up to $30,000 to demolish the rear portion of the building, along with another $12,000 for an asbestos abatement, although officials said last month the demolition contract with Edgco will only cost the city $25,000.

“We are told it will be done some time next week,” Vice Mayor Chad Thalman said Friday. “I know the asbestos had to be removed and the utilities had to be disconnected.”

Several firefighters responded to the scene on June 5 when the bricks fell from the 1429 Market St. building, although no injuries were reported.

City leaders continue to emphasize their desire to preserve the main portion of this structure that faces Market Street, as well as the adjacent buildings at 1425, 1433 and 1437 Market St.

In total, city officials spent nearly $300,000 to purchase the four buildings. Now, all of these buildings are scheduled to receive new roofs via a portion of the $300,000 worth of cash carryover funding council members allocated in July. City leaders acknowledge there is extensive water damage on the upper floors.

Three of the Market Street structures are vacant, while the Market Street News adult entertainment store remains at 1437 Market St.

The business is now on a month-to-month extension of this lease until another development option emerges.

“This is a high-priority issue,” Councilman Brian Wilson said of 1429 Market St. “It is in the core of our downtown.”

Wilson said even if the city had not acted to purchase the structures, the condition of 1429 Market St. likely would be the same.

“If a building is going to fall down, it is going to do so, regardless of who owns it. Luckily, the city is in a position to be able to do something with it,” he said.

Wilson said Wheeling’s architecture is a “non-renewable resource.”

“These buildings are still very salvageable,” he said. “We just have to find a developer who can make the numbers work.”