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STEUBENVILLE -- City Council was told plans for the Beatty Park Bridge restoration have cleared a major hurdle, winning approval from the state historic preservation office.
"(They) approved what was sent to them for the Beatty Park Bridge," Councilwoman at large Kimberly Hahn said Tuesday. "They said there is no adverse effect so there's no need for us to give them any further communication going forward."
The project will rehabilitate and restore Beatty Park's historic stone arch bridge, closed since 2019 after workers discovered its underpinning had weathered to the extent the span was no longer safe for vehicular traffic. Foot traffic was banned a few months later after an inspection revealed continued deterioration in the eastern wall had made it unsafe even for pedestrians.
City Engineer Mike Dolak said the plans call for replacing missing stones and repairing other ones, and dismantling and rehabilitating other portions of the bridge.
Beatty Park and Union Cemetery are a historic district and are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The stone arch bridge, built of sandstone in 1884, is a contributing resource to the historic district, Dolak said.
Hahn also said the Army Corps of Engineers permit has been submitted, "(and) after they get back to us, if there's nothing else, we should be able to put the project out to bid and see where it lands."
She also said the final application for a $250,000 OMEGA grant for the city was submitted.
"That will release the $250,000 for Phase 3 of the Lover's Lane project," she said, pointing out the project is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $2.6 million.
Fifth Ward Councilman Willie Paul also presented a resolution proclaiming the week of Oct. 8-14 as Fire Prevention Week to Fire Chief Carlo Capaldi, who said this year's theme is "Cooking safety starts with you."
"We'd rather prevent fires than put them out," Capaldi said, pointing out cooking fires are not uncommon. "Always have a way to extinguish the fire or make it smaller."
Capaldi said the best thing to do is "put a lid on a pot. If the fire's in the stove don't open it -- the stove is meant to keep it inside."
"We also stress when you're sleeping in your bedroom at night, sleep with the door closed. A closed door buys you a lot of time in a fire," Capaldi said.
Council also adopted a resolution designating October as Breast Cancer Awareness month and Oct. 20 as National Mammography Day. Paul said he plans to present the proclamation during the Women in Action Against Breast Cancer Coalition's annual wreath ceremony at Fort Steuben Mall. This year's event will be Oct. 18 at 4 p.m.
Legislation introduced Tuesday included:
• A resolution honoring Third Ward Councilwoman Heather Hoover for being named the 2023-24 National Project Lead the Way Launch Teacher of the Year. The award recognizes educators who demonstrate a strong record of delivering an inspiring and empowering student experience, expanding access to Project Lead the Way programs, and transforming teaching.
• Legislation authorizing the city manager to enter into an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation for the Sunset Boulevard resurfacing project.
• A resolution authorizing the city manager and urban projects director to execute an agreement with Urban Mission that will allow them to use CDBG funds for continuation of an existing microenterprise program in Steubenville.
• An ordinance that would declare buildings at 422 Clinton St., 1021-1023 McKinley Ave., 409-415 Clinton St., 1311 Belleview Board; 332 Summit Ave; 1303 Ridge Ave. and a garage at 1244 Pennsylvania Ave. Rear to be a public nuisance and ordering their removal or demolition, though council members said they need to revisit the list to ensure high-priority buildings are addressed, including properties in the North End that might impede activities if the city should win a $50 million Choice Neighborhoods grant.
• Hahn said work to refurbish North End ball fields have begun. "Other fields will follow after they complete that project," she said.
• At Mayor Jerry Barilla's request, council also returned William Hendricks to the regional transit authority board.
• Capaldi reported his department's fourth ambulance was finally delivered, pointing out they ordered it "about two years ago."
"That will give us four ambulances," he said. "We'll still run." two a day but it gives us two backsup now -- we've been running the wheels off the first two."
• Barilla voiced concern that someone is removing political signs in the 1st Ward, where incumbent Asantewa Anyabwile is trying to hold off challenger Dave Albaugh.
Barilla recalled for council how a Black neighbor had a sign stolen from his yard, the only Obama sign in their neighborhood back then.
"As a white man I was ashamed that that man could not express his (support)," Barilla said, explaining he'd learned "15 or 16 signs have been taken from yards." The candidate said he has video of a person in a hood crossing the street.
"Please allow people to put signs in their yard if they support a candidate," he said, telling council "it's about fairness and honesty, that's what we're about here."
"That's their right to support that particular person," he said. "Try to be honest and fair -- let's be careful of that. Be right and just, its as simple as that."