Capitol Music Hall Plans Upgrade

The Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling, Va., is expected to get a $1.7 million overhaul and be ready to stage performances in the fall, now that the Wheeling-Ohio County Convention and Visitors Bureau has purchased the venerable building from Live Nation.

Bureau director Frank O’Brien said most of the money is coming from a loan, donations and federal stimulus funds.

The planned improvements include a fire sprinkler system in the theatre, dressing room upgrades and new restrooms.

Live Nation closed the venue in May 2007 because of 23 separate fire code violations found by inspectors, which the county bureau is addressing with the makeover.

A $400,000 community development block grant will help pay to bring the Music Hall into federal Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.