News & Events

STEUBENVILLE - New businesses continue to examine downtown building sites a consultant told the Steubenville Revitalization Group on Monday.

Lou Stein of Valley Ventures reported, "an under 21 dance club is prepared to open on the second floor of the building at the corner of Fourth and Market streets as well as a restaurant on the first floor."

Stein also said the former Huntington Bank human resources building on South Fourth Street has been purchased "and will be used for professional offices. And the former Hardees building on North Fourth is in the process of being purchased."

"There is a lot of activity going on in the downtown area. I have four or five clients who are looking at downtown areas. I feel some of them are going to locate their businesses in the downtown," continued Stein.

He also told the group he is finalizing a brochure listing downtown businesses. "We are excited about it. It will be a good tool for the downtown businesses."

The monthly SRG meeting was held at Vapor Jet on Adams Street as part of a move to highlight different downtown businesses.

Vapor Jet owners Tim and Gina Pestian provided a tour of their building and demonstrated their new aqua fusion ozone generator the Pestians said provides an anti-bacterial fighting solution.

Pestian said Vapor Jet provides professional cleaning for disaster damaged clothing and personal items as well as furniture.

In other business, SRG President Jerry Barilla said two trash containers similar to the containers in front of Steubenville High School have been purchased.

"We wanted to maintain the same look through the downtown area. And our goal is to continue to purchase these same trash containers until we have enough for the downtown area," said Barilla.

Scott Dressel said three grant applications have been filed with U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-St. Clairsville.

"We are seeking money for the additional trash receptacles as well as a full-time person to work for the SRG. We will find out in November if the money has been approved," said Dressel.

Ray Agresta said a series of meetings with Steubenville Mayor Domenick Mucci, Police Chief Bill McCafferty and Urban Project Director Chris Petrossi regarding parking issues has resulted in progress.

"Our downtown merchants are already noticing more parking availability. This is an excellent case of cooperation. Every little bit helps us and the potential customers. We plan to have quarterly meetings with the city officials and the new city manager once she is on the job," said Agresta.

Rob Gribben proposed the annual spring clean up of the downtown business district be delayed until the June weekend before the Dean Martin Festival.

And Susan Probert reported the economic development committee is considering ideas to encourage people attending the summer concert series on Thursdays at the Louis and Sandra Berkman Amphitheater at Historic Fort Steuben "to come earlier to the downtown for other activities."

"We decided to focus on just three concerts this year to show we can offer other activities. We need to work with our merchants to bring people to the downtown to show off what we have to offer. We are looking at the idea of asking our merchants to stay open later on Thursdays," said Probert.

The next SRG meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. April 12 at Froehlich's Classic Corner Restaurant.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)