Ross Gallabrese DISCUSSION — Mike Gill, board chairman of the Jefferson County Port Authority, left, and Robert Naylor, the executive director, look on during Thursday's meeting.

STEUBENVILLE — Working together remains the key to ensuring economic development throughout the area, county officials said Thursday afternoon.

“I think that always having the opportunity to collaborate between the county and the city on forward-looking development is the goal, and that’s one of the biggest takeaways here,” said Robert Naylor, executive director of the Jefferson County Port Authority.

He spoke following a special meeting held in the community room of the Jefferson County Tower. The meeting was called by the port authority’s board of directors after county commissioners requested time to present a plan for collaboration on development of property at the northeast corner of the former Eastern Gateway Community College campus.

The meeting included representatives from the county and the city of Steubenville.

There has been considerable speculation about the future of the 4.5-acre parcel, which sits near the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and John Scott Highway, since the county assumed control of all property associated with the former community college. A reverter clause in the college’s deed stipulated the land must return to county control if no longer used for educational purposes.

The Youngstown State University Board of Trustees agreed to accept title to the roughly 180,000-square-foot building, its furnishings and equipment and 12.95 acres on the former campus. That left the area that had been a parking lot, along with property stretching along John Scott Highway toward Applebee’s, under the control of the county commissioners.

University officials have been working since the start of the year to remodel the building and rebrand it as Youngstown State University Steubenville. Classes are expected to begin in the fall semester. A community open house is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 25.

While no action was taken following an executive session Thursday, officials said bringing all sides together was important.

“Collaboration is important,” county Commissioner Tony Morelli said. “There’s a piece of property there — people want to get it developed, and we want to get it developed. That’s why port authorities were created — for tax advantages and many other things. It’s a positive thing for the community.”

A key to opening the property for development is extending a city sewer line. County and city officials already have discussed the project.

“We’re working closely with Robert and the county commissioners,” City Manager Mike Johnson said. “We’re going to try to collaborate with the county on the design and construction of the first step of this project, which is that sewer line.”

Developers already have expressed interest in the site, officials said.

“If we can develop that, it would be a big plus for the area,” Johnson added.