Jefferson County commissioners consider facilities for fort
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STEUBENVILLE -- Jefferson County Commissioners said Thursday they'd at least consider helping fund construction of permanent restrooms at Historic Fort Steuben, but first they'd need to see the city step up.
Fifth Ward Councilman Willie Paul, at this week's meeting to find out if commissioners would be interested in splitting the cost, pointed to the number of visitors who come to Steubenville each year for things like the summer concert series, festivals, First Fridays on Fourth, the Nutcracker Christmas celebration and tours of Historic Fort Steuben.
"I think it'd be a great idea if we could get some kind of restroom (over there)," Paul said. "Buses pull up and the first thing people want is a restroom."
Paul asked commissioners to consider earmarking about $200,000 in American Rescue Plan funding for the project, but Commissioner Dave Maple pointed out Historic Fort Steuben/Steubenville Visitors Center would have to demonstrate it lost that much revenue during the pandemic to qualify for ARPA money.
"The paperwork they submitted didn't show losses that add up to $200,000," he recalled.
Commissioners said they'd need a better idea of what the restrooms would cost as well as how much the city would pitch in.
"I think it's a huge need, the restrooms there," Commissioner Tony Morelli said. "I've seen the same buses and (people) getting off and saying, 'Where's the restrooms,' so I'm open to working with whoever wants to take on this project. I don't know if ARPA will work, but before ARPA (came along), we found ways to make things work. But I think before you come to us, you guys need to step up ... we need to see the buy-in from the city before we go any further."
The Visitor Center originally pitched the idea of an $800,000 addition that would house restrooms, an additional exhibit room and a meeting area. They've already received a major private donation of $300,000 for the addition.
Commissioner Eric Timmons, a former city councilman, suggested Paul return with facts and figures documenting exactly what the Visitor's Center has in mind and how much it would cost.
"I am definitely open to the idea of partnering on the restrooms," Timmons said. "I would just like to see the current plans and costs."
Maple also said he's amenable to discussing a partnership, though he pointed out there are strict rules governing funding nonprofits with public funds. "However, there's some ways (we could do it) through tourism and (some other) avenues, so I'm open to participating."
Maple, meanwhile, told Paul they were ready to proceed with demolition of buildings at 501 Market St. and 505 Market St. "and make it a green space."
"We're doing this because we want to make the county better," Maple said. "If you don't help the county seat that's hard to do, so we're all for working together and getting some things done."
The owner of the building had offered to donate them to the land bank which, in turn, offered to transfer title to the county if commissioners would cover the cost of asbestos removal and demolition.
Commissioners were already planning to upgrade a parking area across from the Tower building, and the buildings they're going to demolish are adjacent to it.
The county's share of the demolition cost is estimated at around $190,000, with the land bank pitching in another $30,000.
Commissioners signed the demolition agreement during Thursday's meeting, with Maple telling Land Bank Chairman Ray Agresta as much as he's looking forward to seeing the buildings come down, replacing them with a green space rather than blacktopping the site was the icing on the cake.
"I think it's an incredible opportunity, within the Tower you have Jefferson Soil and Water, OSU Extension ... you've got people who can use that space for learning. Not many people have tenants who can add value like that."
Morelli said he's already had people who work in nearby buildings asking him when it will be done.
"It's taken almost a year to get to this point, but that's government," Agresta said. "I think it's a win-win for everybody."
Commissioners also:
— Received kudos from Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller for their support of the drug court program, .
"Participants planted flowers again, weeded the courthouse property and swept it up," she said. "When they're connected to the community we see better outcomes."
Maple told her she deserved credit for "initiating the effort out there last year."
— Signed a letter of support for the Jefferson County Port Authority's application for $400,000 in grant funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for a coal recovery coordinator.
If it's approved, port authority Executive Director Robert Naylor told commissioners the funds would be used to develop a comprehensive economic strategy for Jefferson County. A $100,000 local match would be required.
"In a nutshell, it's an opportunity for the county, the port authority, to obtain a $400,000 grant with a $100,000 match," Morelli explained. "If we get it, I think Mr. Naylor was pretty clear it would create a coal recovery position, someone that would just focus on coal recovery and economic development for the next two years, and there is money there to hire an assistant."
He said anytime "you can get $400,000 for $100,000, as long as you've got the right person directing the money, the math's right."
Timmons said if the port authority gets the grant and the study is commissioned, it's important to follow it through.
"It seems like I hear about study after study, people do these comprehensive studies," he said. "I just want to see them come to fruition ... I want to see us stick to it."
— Agreed to a 10-year lease with Ohio State Legal Services for a roughly 2,400 square feet office space in the Tower building.
— Accepted the engineer's recommendation, seconded by the prosecutor's office, to award the state Route 151 and county Road 19 waterline relocation and deepening project to James White Construction, Weirton.
— Agreed to serve as the subgrantee for the Jefferson County Drug Task Force's application for an Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance grant. The funds would help cover task force operations in 2024.
— Awarded the contract for resurfacing Jefferson County Roads 50, 60, 75 and 75 A to Shelly and Sands of Rayland for $800,452.15.