WHEELING — Dimmeydale and Elm Grove are the next Wheeling neighborhoods being targeted for recognition as national historic districts.

Wheeling Heritage recently announced the two communities will be the subject of an upcoming architectural survey to determine whether they qualify for the distinction.

If approved, property owners would get the opportunity to apply for grants, tax credits and local assistance to improve their lots.

It is far from the first time such a survey has been done in Wheeling to determine the historic significance of a neighborhood.

Other areas already approved as national historic districts include the Centre Market Square Historic District, the Chapline Street Row Historic District, the Downtown Wheeling Historic District, the East Wheeling Historic District, the Highland Park Historic District, the Monroe Street East Historic District, the National Road Corridor Historic District, the North Wheeling Historic District, the South Wheeling Historic District, the Wheeling Island Historic District, the Wheeling Warehouse District, and the Woodsdale-Edgewood Historic District,

“This is one of the many, many surveys Wheeling Heritage has done in Wheeling done to see if a neighborhood retains enough historical material to warrant nomination as an historic district,” said Betsy Sweeny, director of programming for Wheeling Heritage. “The next two places are Dimmeydale and Elm Grove.”

Wheeling Heritage has selected Heritage Architectural Associates of Wheeling to complete the surveys of the two neighborhoods.

This project is made possible through Survey and Planning Grants from the State Historic Preservation Office, provided to Wheeling Heritage in partnership with the Wheeling Historic Landmarks Commission.

The research will involve architects driving through the neighborhoods to document the architecture found there. They will take photos from public rights-of-way, and “shouldn’t be a burden on the public,” according to Sweeney. Residents will not be asked any questions.

“There is no downside,” Sweeny explained. “Being part of a historic district is like a badge of honor. It shines a positive light on a community and it opens the door for preservation incentives.”

Wheeling Heritage expects the surveying process to be completed in the spring.