News & Events

Bringing Area To Life
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Valley Ventures was approached by the Steubenville Revitalization Group to create a development plan to revitalize the downtown area of Steubenville over the next 36 months. This plan was completed and delivered to the SRG in September of 2009, and implementation of the plan began at that time.

The purpose of the master plan is to outline a comprehensive and systematic approach for the planning and implementation of the redevelopment and revitalization of historic downtown Steubenville. A focus area was selected that is comprised of a 12-block area defined by North and South streets to the north and south and Third and Sixth streets to the east and west.

In the National Register

Many of the historic buildings that remain in the focus area are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Many date back to the mid to late 19th century, and are an important cultural asset to Steubenville and its residents. In addition, there are a variety of buildings in the focus area that, while they are not listed on the historic register, have retained a good deal of their historically significant architecture. Due to the decline in employment in steel and coal production in the past 30 years throughout the entire Upper Ohio Valley region, and the development of malls and suburban retailing throughout the same time period, many businesses and offices have left the downtown area for other locations or due to closure of the business. This has resulted in many vacancies in these grand downtown buildings, which has led to many structures needing tenants and revitalization.

Development cycles

One of the unique aspects of business development in the United States is that there are development cycles that occur about every 30 or 40 years which affect where and how centers of commerce, entertainment and business activity take place. During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, downtowns across the nation, which were once the center of all retail and business activity during the late 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, fell victim to the development of suburban malls, outlying office parks and suburban living.

However, at the end of the 20th century, a variety of factors have come into play which include the high cost of commuting due to rising energy prices, the consumers' desires to once again have the unique shopping experiences of mom & pop specialty stores, and the desire of more and more people wanting to live and shop closer to where they work due to family time constraints. These factors and many others have led to the development of "Lifestyle Centers."

Lifestyle centers

"Lifestyle Centers" are defined as developments where a person or family can live, work, eat, find entertainment and be involved in leisure activities without ever having to drive or perhaps drive a very short distance. These "Lifestyle Centers," which are on the cutting edge of new business and retail development across the nation, are springing up across the nation.

Many downtown areas of all sizes that have retained the natural charm and beauty of many of the historic structures, provide tremendous opportunities for developers, building owners, and contractors to reinvest in these buildings to be used again for retail and professional space or for re-adaptive uses, such as loft apartment living, loft office space, entertainment or cultural venues.

It is with these current trends in mind that the Steubenville Comprehensive Master Redevelopment Plan has been structured. The idea is that a 12-block core area of downtown Steubenville will be the focus over the next three years.

About the plan

This plan focuses on the downtown vacant buildings in the focus area, and provides a road map for development of those buildings with analysis to their highest and best use, considering their size and street locations. Also taken into account is an inventory of the vibrant businesses and professional services that are currently operating in the downtown area. In addition, this study factors into the equation what businesses, services, entertainment, cultural venues and other important uses are not currently represented in the focus area, that need to be attracted to downtown Steuben-ville.

The plan will then be integrated with several important operating assets already present downtown which include Historic Fort Steuben, the mural program, the fairs and festivals and the Berkman Amphitheater and its activities. New programs to be added and offered to building owners, developers, contractors and business owners will include a loft apartment program, a facade renovation program and a streetscaping plan.

Creating momentum

The master plan is broken down into implementable phases over the next three years which will reflect reachable development goals for each phase. The goal is to create a momentum of success in the redevelopment of downtown Steubenville that will encourage continued development from Steubenville residents, as well as attracting development from outside the Steubenville area from the Upper Ohio Valley region and beyond.

"Over the past four months we have seen a variety of new businesses locate or expand into the downtown area with more to be announced by March. These new businesses include BookMarx, Journeware, D's Urban Fashions, Forever Young, Olde Town Coffee Co., SoJo's Hot Dog House & Ice Cream parlor and two or three more to be announced in February. We have plans for a cooperative art gallery, a museum, gift shops and retail stores and a restaurant," said Valley Ventures Executive Director Lou Stein.

Working in Weirton

Valley Ventures also has accelerated its work in Weirton. The group was instrumental in helping the entrepreneurs behind the Village at Colliers Way get development going, and now Valley Ventures has acquired the former Magnone Building at 300 Main St.

Valley Ventures plans to launch a commerce center and a business incubator as well as use the location for high-visibility office space for itself. Promotion of the incubator brings hopes that ongoing efforts will bear fruit later in the year with the formation of a light manufacturing incubator at another nearby facility.

Any business person, building owner or entrepreneur interested in joining the family of businesses in downtown Steubenville or Weirton may contact Stein at               (304) 748-1525         (304) 748-1525 or via e-mail at loustein@valleyventures.org. Contacts and discussions with entrepreneurs are kept strictly confidential.