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Downtown event to show off area

City leaders, Jefferson County commissioners, the Jefferson County Port Authority, several organizations and businesses are coming together to provide a new vision for downtown Steubenville.

Once a magnet for stores and shoppers, the business district needs some loving care and a few developers who can turn things around.

An event will be held beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday on the grassy area beside the City Building. Franzi Charen of Asheville, N.C., will be the keynote speaker and will outline efforts for downtown development and local business success in her town.

The event is an attempt to pull together building owners and in-town and out-of-town developers. Following a lunch, provided free by nine downtown-area restaurants, a walking tour will be provided so prospective investors can see the potential of the downtown. There will be information available on available buildings.

Planners hope the event is just one of several events on the road to bringing the downtown area back.

The bones of the downtown still are in place and several buildings will need work to be ready to open as new retail or even apartment-living spaces. But the downtown area needs the attention of local businesses and community leaders to begin the journey of bringing it back.

Imagine the possibilities is the message the planners are hoping to get out.

The planners for the event need to be commended for organizing an event that will hopefully lead to business development in the downtown area.

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