West Virginia Northern Community College is ready to start the second phase of a multimillion dollar expansion project in downtown Wheeling.

Administrators with the college said the expansion will not only benefit future students, but everyone in the Ohio Valley.

The former Straub Hyundai property on Market Street will be transformed for students to gather, but anyone in the area can stop to get a coffee, read a book and hang out as well.

"The first floor is going to be the Barnes & Noble Bookstore. The second is going to be the student union. We are going to expand what we can offer the students in a couple of ways," said college President Martin Olshinsky.

--UNEDITED: 9/20/12 News release from West Virginia Northern Community College

Olshinsky said the $2.1 million project will get started soon. Crews will add the second floor first then remodel the first floor.

Directly across the street is the new Applied Technology Center, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2013.

"That project is moving along fine. It's right on schedule," Olshinsky said. "We are anxious to do it because we have companies that are asking already, 'When can we send people to you to get the training?'"

City and county officials also commended the college's work to expand and revitalize the downtown area.

"They have a huge success in downtown and they are part of the vision that they have in downtown: That's continue to make space for new buildings but also converting old buildings," Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie said.

McKenzie said he is thankful another vacant downtown building can be occupied again. He said after the car dealership left for The Highlands retail center, the area downtown was vacant until this year.

"This is a multimillion dollar investment in downtown, and it's because we have a successful business, the community college that continues to grow," he said.

The new college union and bookstore are scheduled to open in June 2013. Olshinsky said when both projects are complete, the public will be amazed at the site's transformation.

Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.