Steubenville City Council Receives Updates from Port Authority Executive Director

Steubenville City Council Receives Update on Projects from Port Authority

Steubenville City Council received an update from the Jefferson County Port Authority on Tuesday, as Mayor Jerry Barilla had requested. Port Authority Executive Director Robert Naylor provided updates on various projects currently in progress, as well as a major funding opportunity that did not come to fruition.

Naylor discussed the county’s disappointing showing in the recent Appalachian Community Grant awards, where Jefferson County received only $5 million out of the roughly $500 million distributed among Ohio’s 33 Appalachian counties. He highlighted a grant awarded to Adena for revitalizing its core business district, which was included in an application submitted by the Ohio Mid-Eastern Government Association.

Additionally, Naylor mentioned a grant application to remove three dilapidated buildings on a 7-plus acre parcel that was part of Weirton Steel’s Steubenville works. The property was purchased by Tidewater Logistics, which has seen growth in employment from 15 to 46 employees.

The Port Authority is also awaiting a decision on a $200,000 capital budget request for major repairs at Belleview Pool, as well as the final report on the Market Street bridge from West Virginia officials. Naylor expressed optimism about the bridge’s potential replacement with federal funding.

Mayor Barilla inquired about the progress of redeveloping the old Exchange Realty building on Market Street, noting the challenges and costs associated with renovation or demolition.

Overall, the Port Authority and City Council are focused on developing a strategic plan for Jefferson County to set a vision for economic sustainability and regional development. With a declining population expected by 2050, the county aims to attract growth and investment for the future.

In other council news, emergency legislation was passed to purchase parcels on Sinclair Avenue to maintain sewer system integrity, and second readings were given to legislation adopting the fiscal year 2025 tax budget and conveying a downtown parcel to the Jefferson County Land Bank.

Councilwoman Heather Hoover rescheduled the next Pride Committee meeting to June 11, and a closed-door executive session was held to discuss the city manager’s six-month evaluation.

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