NEW CONSTRUCTION — Through a grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Welcome Home Ohio program, the Jefferson County Land Bank has commissioned the construction of a single-story home at 612 Logan Street in Steubenville with others to follow in Steubenville and Toronto. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — On Monday, Steubenville Council approved a property transfer to make it possible for the Jefferson County Land Bank to build new homes on North Fifth Street.

The home is one of three the Jefferson County Land Bank plans to build in Steubenville and Toronto through a $660,556 grant through a grant from a state program aimed at making affordable housing available to homebuyers of low to moderate incomes.

Last week, Tabatha Glover, the land bank’s director; and Robert Naylor, director of the Jefferson County Port Authority; asked council to approve the transfer of vacant lots at 821 and 823 North Fifth St. and 827 and 829 North Fifth St. to the latter board so new homes can be built on them.

Glover noted construction is under way at 612 Logan St. for the first of three homes to be built through a $660,556 grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Welcome Home Ohio program.

Located near Seventh Street and Herald Square, the single-story, three-bedroom house is slated for completion in late November.

A dilapidated structure was removed to accommodate its construction.

Glover said another is planned for 608 Clark St., Toronto.

To comply with terms of the grant, the houses must be completed by Sept. 1, 2026.

The land bank is partnering with the Jefferson County Housing Development Corp. to identify occupants for the houses.

The Welcome Home Ohio program also provides financial assistance with down payment and closing costs.

To qualify, a potential homebuyer’s annual income must be at no more than 80 percent of the area annual median household income depending on the size of the household.

Participation in a year-long financial literacy course also is required.

That person must live there at least 20 years or sell the house to another income-eligible person.

Those interested in purchasing one of the homes may contact the Jefferson Housing Development Corp. at (740) 282-0994 ext. 102 or info@jeffersonhousing.org.

Mayor Jerry Barilla said of the development, “We’re happy to see that happen. Any time you see new homes being built, especially in the downtown area, that’s good for the city. I think it’s a win-win for the city.”

Also on Tuesday:

�–� Council heard from former 1st Ward Councilwoman Asantewa Anyabwile, who voiced opposition to the proposed development of a Dollar General store at the former Grant School lot in the ward.

Anyabwile said she believes food sold by the store is of a lesser quality and won’t include more nutritious fresh produce.

She told council, “It’s better to leave that lot empty and at least have a farmers market there from June to October.”

Anyabwile said the city’s south end is in strong need of a grocery store because many residents there lack vehicles and rely on public transportation or walking to reach stores elsewhere in the city and can carry only so many bags home with them.

Those points have been cited by Barilla and other supporters of the proposed store.

On Tuesday, Mavromatis weighed in on the subject.

He said he’s seen many people drive to the farmers market currently held on the lot.

“Clearly people want the produce that’s there,” he said.

Mavromatis said larger grocery chains aren’t likely to open in that area because it includes a smaller population, but the Dollar General store would provide a service there.

“No one’s forcing you to go there,” he said.

In the weeks ahead, council is expected to consider the transfer of the lot to the Jefferson County Port Authority for the store’s development.

�–� Council authorized City Manager Jim Mavromatis to hire Chadan Engineering Inc. of St. Clairsville to design an emergency sanitary sewer line relocation near Mall Drive.

Plans call for a collapsing sewer line from the retention pond near Sinclair Avenue to be replaced with another along the west side of John Scott Highway.

The project has been estimated at $1 million.

�–� Third Ward Councilwoman Heather Hoover reminded residents the city’s fall cleanup will begin on Sept. 12 with streets on Labelle View, continuing on Sept. 19 with Pleasant Heights and each following Friday in other areas.

The Sept. 26 collection will be at the city’s south end (all streets from Market Street to the south end from Spring Avenue to state Route 7 and including Lincoln Heights) and north end (all streets from Alikanna to Market Street from 11th Street to Route 7).

The Oct. 3 collection will include all streets on the north side of Sunset Boulevard from Brady Avenue to the west end, while the Oct. 10 collection will include all streets on the south side of Sunset Boulevard from McCauslen Manor to the west end.

Residents are asked to leave out bulky items no earlier than the night before.

The city won’t accept tires of any kind, computers, televisions and other electronics; refrigerators, air conditioning units and other devices containing freon; hazardous waste such as fuels, oils and solvents; and construction materials.

The JG Green Team periodically holds collections for many of the prohibited items.

�–� Councilman at large Joel Walker noted Friday was the deadline for applications for the city manager position and announced 10 were received.

Mavromatis has announced he will retire in March.