Ross Gallabrese WRESTLERS HONORED — Several members of the Steubenville High School wrestling team were recognized during Tuesday's City Council meeting. Among those on hand were, from left, Jahmiah El-Bey, Landon Crosier, Cooper Smith, Beau Hudson, Cole Harvey, Talea Guntrum and coaches Lucas Huffman and Mike Blackburn.

STEUBENVILLE — The status of the Fort Steuben Mall remains up in the air, members of Steubenville City Council learned Tuesday night.

City Manager Mike Johnson reported that the mall’s ownership has contacted the building department, but has not indicated if it intends to comply with the terms laid out in an April 27 letter that detailed numerous property and maintenance issues at the facility.

The city’s letter gave the mall 30 days to address issues after city building inspectors declared large portions of the mall unsafe for occupancy and uninhabitable.

According to the letter, some businesses would be able to remain open if temporary floor-to-ceiling walls were installed to seal off certain sections of the mall.

“We told the owner that if he does not intend to comply, he should notify his tenants,” Johnson said. “If the owner does not comply with the April 27 letter, the city will condemn the mall, and all businesses, expect the stand-alone businesses, will be forced to close.”

Those stand-alone businesses, he explained, would be 7 Ranges, J.C. Penney, Wal-Mart, Texas Roadhouse, Eat ‘n Park, the Shoe Department Encore, Aspen Dental and Dunham’s Sporting Goods.

Council also recognized the Steubenville High School wrestling team and several of is members, including Talea Guntrum, a 135-pound junior who finished the season with a 45-0 record and became the ninth female in tournament history to win at least three female state titles.

Also recognized were Cole Harvey, Beau Hudson, Cooper Smith, Landon Crosier and Jahmiah El-Bey.

Johnson recognized the efforts of area first responders during the April 27 house explosion at 202 Rosslyn Blvd. that left one person dead and one person injured. The list included the Steubenville Fire Department; the Steubenville Police Department; the Steubenville water, maintenance and repair and utility departments; and the Jefferson County Urban Search and Rescue Team. He added city crews received assistance from the Wintersville, Toronto and Weirton fire departments and Wells Excavating.

In other business, council:

• Reminded residents that the city’s annual spring clean-up will continue Friday for all residents on the south side of Sunset Boulevard from McCauslen Manor to the west city limits. Residents should have their items set out for collection Thursday evening.

• Heard the second reading of an ordinance authorizing Johnson to dispose of four vehicles and a tractor with trailer from the parks and recreation department;

•Heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing Johnson to prepare and submit an application to participate in the Ohio Public Works Commission State Capital Improvement and Local Transportation Improvement Programs;

• Heard the first reading of an ordinance authorizing Johnson to advertise for bids for the 2027 City Street Hot-Mix Resurfacing Improvement Project. The base bid would be Greenwich Avenue from its north terminus to West Argonne Avenue; West Argonne from Greenwich to Sunset Boulevard; Valleyview Avenue from Buena Vista Boulevard to Stratford Boulevard; and Valleyview from Stratford to the north terminus.

• Learned that a public meeting on the city’s mineral leasing will be held at 5 p.m. June 2 in the Steubenville High School auditorium;

• Set an economic development committee meeting for 7 p.m. May 19;

• Presented a resolution proclaiming Sunday through May 16 as Police Week and May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day; and

• Presented a resolution proclaiming May 17-23 at National Emergency Medical Services Week.