News & Events

Revitalization Organization
Tuesday, April 13, 2010

CHATTING WITH CATHY — Scott Dressel of Bayberry Properties talks to Steubenville City Manager Cathy Davison Monday following a Steubenville Revitalization Group meeting at Froehlich’s Classic Corners. Davison told the SRG members she wants to partner with the group to continue to develop the city’s downtown business district.
-- Dave Gossett

STEUBENVILLE - Organizers are hoping a tentative May 27 car cruise-in will attract more visitors to the downtown business district and be the start of future Thursday afternoon events.

Travis Maxwell of Street Dreams Rod & Custom of Wintersville told 30 members of the Steubenville Revitalization Group Monday that "Newark, Ohio, holds a monthly 'Light the Night' event and attracts 5,000 to 6,000 cars for a one-day event."

"They have been doing this for several years now and you should start small. You could set up the cruise-in on Third Street in conjunction with the oldies concert at the amphitheater," said Maxwell.

Susan Probert of the economic development committee said the SRG is considering other Thursday events including a pizza pie bake-off.

"We want to bring people downtown on Thursdays for the farmers market and then a special event later in the afternoon followed by the concerts at the amphitheater," Probert explained.

And the organization heard words of encouragement from City Manager Cathy Davison.

"You have a strong history and a bright future. I am pleased to tell you we will be moving city offices into our new city hall facility in May. And we will schedule the demolition of the city annex building on a weekend and will work around the June festivals already scheduled," said Davison.

She also asked the SRG members to support the 6.7-mill safety levy on the May 4 ballot.

"I feel there is hope and a positive energy in the city, and we will be part of the future plans," remarked Davison.

In other business, SRG President Jerry Barilla unveiled a new steel trash container purchased by the organization.

"We purchased two of these containers with help from a grant from the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority. And with permission from the city manager we would like to have these first two containers installed in front of the new city hall building on South Third Street," said Barilla.

"We have plans to purchase additional similar trash containers in the future to be installed in the business district. We are also considering business sponsorship of future containers," he added.

Lou Stein of Valley Ventures reported he has brought 13 new businesses to the business district during the past five months, "and 10 buildings are now under development."

"We are very excited about that accomplishment. And we are now completing a deal to create loft apartments in the downtown buildings. We want to begin with a model loft apartment to bring people back to residential living in the downtown. We have targeted two buildings to start this project," said Stein.

Design Committee Chairman Rob Gribben said he is planning a clean-up day in the business district the week prior to the Dean Martin Festival, which is planned June 18-19.

Barilla announced Ray Agresta, owner of Ace Optical on North Fourth Street, has accepted a position on the SRG executive board.

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