Wheeling is just one of four cities in the state selected for a pilot program to test Home Rule. With two years down and three years to go, Robert Herron, Wheeling city manager, said, "The hard work lies ahead over the next couple of years."

City officials created ordinances in three key areas: Dilapidated, Vacant Building Registration Program, liens for city services on private property and conditional zoning permits.

"We've identified about 190 buildings that we consider vacant under the definition of the ordinance. Over 100 of those have registered," said Herron.

There is a possibility that vacant building registration could become a statewide law. The dilapidated building changes is the most high profile category. Enacting the program means the vacant building owners who do not take action with their property face a regularly increasing registration fee.

"Our hope is that we won't collect any registration fees, that the people who own these buildings will put them into play will turn the utilities on and try to market them, either for themselves or to lease them or sell them," said Herron.

Herron said he is hopeful the state legislature will re-enact Home Rule and make it available to all cities.