City leaders in a once-booming steel town are pondering some urban renewal ideas after a conference aimed at giving life to former industrial sites.

Weirton is one of four U.S. sites chosen by the American Planning Association for Brownfields seminars. The others are Oakland, California; Brooklyn, New York; and Columbia, South Carolina.

Some 30 government, community and private-sector leaders gathered this week to discuss ideas for a town hit hard by population loss and the consolidation and downsizing of the steel industry.

They also looked at other kinds of sites, such as vacant schools and businesses.

Weirton City Manager Gary DuFour says the administration is open to any proposals.