April 9, 200817 yr Most of Portsmouth’s Historic Columbia Theatre (Music Hall) Will Be Demolished By Tony Rutherford, Huntingtonnews.net, April 6, 2008 Portsmouth, OH (HNN) – An effort to rebuild the auditorium and stage of the historic Columbia Theatre which burned in November 2007 has been terminated. The structure’s owner, Lee Scott, has stated that due to cost factors, pressure from city officials and the toll on his family, that contracts have been let to raze the burned portion of the Columbia Music Hall. A team of investigators from the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agreed with local investigators that the Columbia fire was intentional. No arrests have been made, although a source previously told HNN that ATF investigators returned to Portsmouth, Ohio, for a second series of interviews with witnesses and others connected to the family friendly concert hall.
April 16, 200817 yr Marting's annex getting new roof By G. Sam Piatt, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 14, 2008 The city has decided to install a new roof on the former Marting's department store annex to make it more marketable. "The City Council has been trying to sell this building, and so we're putting a brand new roof on it," said Bill Beaumont, head of the city's engineering department. The annex, which fronts on Fifth Street and connects by a covered walkway with the Marting's building, is not part of the city's plans - hopes, so far - to develop a City Center housing city offices in the main building. The city owns both buildings.
April 19, 200817 yr Marketing survey studies downtown By T.W. Allen, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 17, 2008 There are many things facing Portsmouth and its unique situation in the region. Among those issues is the ongoing effort to revitalize its downtown area. Main Street Portsmouth is one organization that's working to try to make revitalization a reality. Main Street recently has partnered with Shawnee State University, namely SSU professor Robbie Burke's marketing research class. For the past 10 months, the class has taken steps to research what can be done to prevent the decline.
April 19, 200817 yr Infra-Metals receives local $250,000 grant By T.W. Allen, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 14, 2008 The Scioto County Commissioners approved the acceptance of a $250,000 grant from the governors office of Appalachia for infrastructure work for a new Infra-Metals plant in New Boston. The company also has applied for Community Development Block from the county. Infra-Metals Company is one of the largest structural steel service centers in the eastern United States. Since its inception in March 1990, Infra-Metals has established itself as a leading distributor of structural steel products, with strategic locations along the east coast, extending from Connecticut into Florida and the Caribbean, according to the company's Web site. Infra-Metals announced in 2007 it plans to build a distribution center in New Boston.
April 24, 200817 yr Portions of Columbia Music Hall slated to be torn down By T.W. Allen, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 21, 2008 Originally built in 1910, Columbia Music Hall, formerly Columbia Theater, has seen its fair share of memories. In late 2007, the music hall - located on Gallia Street in Portsmouth - was gutted by a fire that later was ruled an arson and remains under investigation by the federal bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Building owners Lee and Christine Scott recently signed a contract to have certain parts of the building taken down, partly because of extensive damage caused by the fire. There is a process the city recommends when anyone is interested in tearing down a building in the historic district. The city's Design Review Board is supposed to be the first one to be approached about the issue. Once the board has given its approval, permits can be applied for. In this case, the process reportedly has not been followed.
April 24, 200817 yr Scotts offer Columbia, plus cash to city By T.W. Allen, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 22, 2008 The Columbia Music Hall, gutted by an arson fire in late 2007, has been approved for demolition. But in an effort to save the historic structure, owners Lee and Christine Scott have made an offer to give the building to the city. If the city were to accept the property, the Scotts have agreed put forth money to begin reconstruction efforts, Lee Scott said. "There is a council meeting on April 28. The city has every opportunity to save the Columbia," Lee Scott said. "I have offered them (the city of Portsmouth) $70,000 and the deed to the Columbia, totally free and clear." He continued to say Tuesday, it would take $27,000 for an architect to redo the building. It will cost $400,000 to put a new roof, and heating and air system in, along with an electrical and sprinkler system in the building. Approval by the city Design Review Board usually is required before a historic building can be demolished. "No one has talked to us from the Design Review Board. I have discussed these things with the mayor, who has taken it up with other people in trying to save the Columbia. Jim (Kalb) is doing it single-handedly. As far as us not doing it, the only reason is because my family has been harassed to no end (by the city)," Scott said.
April 24, 200817 yr See above for more new articles from today. Marting's drawings, estimates completed By G. Sam Piatt, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 21, 2008 Preliminary drawings and cost estimates on a proposal to locate city offices in the former Marting's building have been completed by Tanner, Stone & Company architects. "We've acted on the city's request to do that," said the Portsmouth firm's David Stone. "I'm certain, however, they wouldn't want us to share it with the newspaper before Portsmouth City Council has had a chance to see the report." Mayor Jim Kalb said Monday, he had not as yet seen the work and thus would have no comment on it. He indicated the proposal would be presented to the public as soon as the council had seen it. The council's next meeting, in which the drawings and estimates for the move apparently will be presented, is next Monday. Stone said the study also includes estimates and drawings on locating the police department and municipal courtrooms in the former Adelphia Communications building on Washington Street, as well as on a third phase of the proposal, calling for selling the current city building and property on Second Street to a developer.
April 26, 200817 yr Market analysis, strategic plan highlight open house By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 24, 2008 The city of Portsmouth, Main Street Portsmouth and Scioto Foundation, hosted their second Open House for Downtown Revitalization Thursday evening, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 610 Fourth St., in Portsmouth. Della Rucker and Tammy Schlagbaum from Jacobs, Edwards & Kelcey, shared with civic leaders and concerned citizens their vision and plan for the downtown area. The city hired the firm in 2006, to assist with planning. An open house took place in October 2006, and a local steering committee met during 2007, to develop a plan. The strategic plan also included a building inventory and a marketing analysis.
April 28, 200817 yr Demolition Approved for Portsmouth Theatre Owners Offer Shell to City for Possible Conversion to Non Profit Status By Tony Rutherford, Huntingtonnews.net, April 25, 2008 Portsmouth, OH (HNN) –- The ongoing saga of the struggle to preserve at least a portion of the gutted historic Columbia Theatre, Portsmouth, Ohio, has reached another crossroads. Following an arson fire in November 2007, owners Lee and Christina Scott vowed that the building would be reborn from the ashes. Now, after struggling with the cleaning up the interior, it's time for Columbia supporters to step up to the plate swinging or lose the remains of the historic theatre forever. The Scott's purchased the condemned property for $1.00 and after a seven year effort opened the century old vaudeville theatre as the Columbia Music Hall. However, Scott has been active in Portsmouth city politics, opposing many plans such as acquisition of the Marting property. Along with others, he led a successful recall vote which ousted then Mayor Greg Bauer. Lee Scott in a Moe's forum posting stated he and his family had gone through enough in the efforts to rebuild. "I cannot place my family in harm's way again not to mention bogus charges place against me…" Now, the option of leaving the front façade and interior to the balcony has come off the table. A demolition permit has been approved. Scott does not want the building to be razed, so he's offered it, as is, free and clear to the city. An insurance settlement in March paid off an earlier loan owed to the city. He estimates that a new roof, heating and air conditioning system will run $400,000. On the other hand, if no one wants to come forward, the structure will become another parking lot. Well, in his words one "with modern art displayed and a headstone for our city."
May 6, 200817 yr City, owner debate Columbia's fate By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, May 3, 2008 Columbia Music Hall on Gallia Street in Portsmouth, now is a shell of its former self; and if the owner said she has her way, it will be completely gone - classic front facing and all. An earlier permit allowed for the demolition of the back wall, and on Saturday, two pieces of heavy equipment sat in the alley behind what was a front wall and two partial side walls, but no permit had been requested for the front wall. That is, until this week. "I filed to demolish the front wall at the city engineer's office," said the music hall's owner Christine Scott. "The decision will be made by the Design and Review Board. It's my understanding they meet the third Monday of every month, and the next meeting will not be until May 19."
May 19, 200817 yr Bridge park to be named in honor of Martha Burton By G. Sam Piatt, Portsmouth Daily Times, May 14, 2008 The woman who hoped to see authorities save the original Ulysses S. Grant Bridge because of its history and beauty will be honored by having the park behind the city building named in her honor. Portsmouth City Council on Monday approved preparation of legislation authorizing the park to be named the "Martha Burton Grant Bridge Park." The legislation, requested of the council by Mayor Jim Kalb, will be listed on the agenda for the council's next regular meeting, Tuesday, said Council President Howard Baughman. Mrs. Burton is a longtime Portsmouth historian and preservationist. After it became evident the Grant Bridge would be demolished to make way for the new bridge to be built on the same spot, she proposed the idea to save certain parts from the old bridge and place them in a park created on the river bank for that purpose.
May 19, 200817 yr Main Street, city assist in project By G. Sam Piatt, Portsmouth Daily Times, May 17, 2008 Mayor Jim Kalb has offered help with a street camera surveillance project, saying the city will post security signs along Chillicothe Street where the cameras are to be located. The request for the signs was made by Kevin and Paul Johnson, co-owners of The Emporium at Portsmouth. The two this week initiated a project to install two of the cameras in the 600 block along Chillicothe Street, and one in the municipal parking lot at Chillicothe and Seventh streets.
May 19, 200817 yr ^ I've posted two new threads above too. Main Street receives improvement grant By T.W. Allen, Portsmouth Daily Times, May 19, 2008 Main Street Portsmouth, along with partners the city of Portsmouth and Scioto Foundation, has received a grant from Heritage Ohio. The Building Improvement Matching Grant Program is a reimbursable, matching grant program implemented to stimulate efforts to improve the appearance, longevity and structural integrity of Main Street Portsmouth's commercial buildings. Main Street received $25,000 to get the program started. Buildings that would be eligible would have to be in the Main Street district. The Main Street district includes 10th Street to the Ohio River, and Gay Street to the Ohio River. The building also must be a commercial property building. With the grant program, eligible projects will be reimbursed up to 50 perecent of the total project cost. Matching projects will be provided with a match of a maximum $5,000 to be approved the minimum project cost is $2,000.
May 20, 200817 yr Portsmouth Mayor, Engineer Approves Columbia Rebuilding Scott’s Vehicle Towed Later That Night By Tony Rutherford, Huntingtonnews.net, May 15, 2008 Portsmouth, Ohio (HNN) - I’m first and foremost a film critic and lover of old theatres. I’ve been a member of the Theatre Historic Society. I volunteered countless hours to research legal issues related to Huntington’s Keith Albee. So, this is about the Columbia, not politics. After reporting that the Columbia Music Hall would likely fall to the ground and have a grave stone erected in its place, owner/manager Lee Scott and his wife, attorney Christine Scott, apparently had a change of heart. According to a Portsmouth news forum, Lee Scott has received permits to rebuild the remnants of the nearly century old Columbia Theatre. Mayor Jim Kalb and a city engineer issued the permits. Scott wrote that he “went to the Mayor’s office [May 13] and the Engineer’s office to get [the] OK to rebuild.”
May 23, 200817 yr Scott outlines suit against city By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, May 22, 2008 Portsmouth businessman Edward L. (Lee) Scott has filed a lawsuit in Scioto County Common Pleas Court for alleged harassment against Portsmouth Police Chief Charles H. Horner, both as an individual, and in his capacity as chief. The suit apparently stems from an incident on May 14, in which officers from the Portsmouth Police and Fire departments, as well as agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Explosives, seized a truck owned by Scott, in the vicinity of Fourth and Market streets, in search of drugs.
May 29, 200817 yr Scott is the owner of the now-demolished Columbia Theater that burned in what has been classified as "suspicious." He was very much vocal against the previous mayor and led a recall that was successful. He is on good terms with the current mayor, who has assisted him in many ways... including this. Police chief relieved of duties Mayor issues notification letter, Horner faces investigation By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times May 24, 2008 Portsmouth Police Chief Charles H. Horner has been relieved of his duties by Mayor James Kalb, and he faces an investigation by Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation. Amid a controversy between Horner and Portsmouth businessman Edward L. (Lee) Scott, Kalb issued a letter to Horner informing him he was being placed on administrative leave, "pending an investigation regarding allegations of misconduct and abuse of power."
May 29, 200817 yr See the above post for the lead into this. This lawsuit and action is overdue IMO, and it's about time this is been done. Politically Active Theatre Owner Files Civil Rights Complaint Against Portsmouth, Portsmouth Police, and Chief Charles Horner By Tony Rutherford, Huntingtonnews.net, May, 20, 2008 Portsmouth, OH (HNN) – Edward Scott made good on his statement to sue the City of Portsmouth, its Police Department, and Chief Charles Horner for harassment and violation of his first amendment rights. The suit asks for compensatory, punitive, and special damages all in excess of $25,000, a jury trial and an injunction “ordering defendants to desist the unlawful acts and conduct.” Scott and his family had restored and operated the Columbia Theatre (a.k.a. Columbia Music Hall) -- a nearly 100 year old downtown landmark -- until November 2007 when a fire gutted most of the historic building’s auditorium. According to the 13-page complaint filed in the Scioto Court of Common Pleas by attorney James Banks, Scott had been “vocal” in local politics and public issues, which included speaking out against “misfeasance and/or malfeasance of local elected officials in person and through the internet.”
May 29, 200817 yr Unfortunately, there's a reason why I'll probably never return to Portsmouth for good. And while the Chief of Police's time had probably come to an end, Lee Scott is hardly a hero. This is a guy who burnt down his own nightclub back in the 80s and spent time in prison. Not to mention the abuse my family took from him while my father was a councilman.
May 31, 200817 yr Marting's willing to extend deadline By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, May 28, 2008 If Portsmouth City Council completes an agreement with the Marting's Foundation, passes legislation to accept the new plan and voters approve it in November, Portsmouth will be on its way to a new City Center, utilizing the former Marting's building, and a Justice Center, to be operated from the former Adelphia location. Marting's announced last week it is willing to extend the earlier set deadline for the city to receive $1.4 million by creating a plan to use the former Marting's building, once rejected by Portsmouth voters. "The Marting's Foundation has agreed to extend that June 2 deadline," said city solicitor Mike Jones. "The Marting's Foundation is under no obligation to give this money to the city, but will if the city agrees to the extension." Attorney Stan Bender, acting on behalf of the Marting's Foundation, said it was very important to emphasize there are certain requirements. First, the city has to agree to the extension that will extend the date to receive the $1.4 million to July 31, and second, by that date, pass legislation with some kind of plan as to what it will do with the city center.
May 31, 200817 yr Unfortunately, there's a reason why I'll probably never return to Portsmouth for good. And while the Chief of Police's time had probably come to an end, Lee Scott is hardly a hero. This is a guy who burnt down his own nightclub back in the 80s and spent time in prison. Not to mention the abuse my family took from him while my father was a councilman. Things do seem to catch fire a lot in P-town.
June 4, 200817 yr Since Portsmouth is on my mind today... ...images of the new City Center, Justice Center and Riverview Hotel Not the greatest of preservation jobs, but much better than what the building currently looks like: (courtesy of Summit Street) They'll have a hard time filling up all that retail space. Maybe the corner retail space for a coffee shop, small eatery, but the rest...ehh. Just look at all the trouble Hamilton had filling the space in their new City Center. Hamilton is 3x the size of Portsmouth with a much much larger county pop. Maybe using some of the space as a citizen center, for events, banquets, etc. Or some type of Civic Design center, small exhibits showcasing the city's architecture and history and a place for the City's Historic Preservation and Mainstreet organizations. A mini Chicago Architecture Foundation's Archicenter Justice Center: Looks a bit too suburban to me...but a vast improvement over the current building facade Riverview Hotel: located at the site of the current City Hall building
June 4, 200817 yr I didn't know about the latter two. Is there more information on that elsewhere? As for the Marting renovation, it's long overdue and I think that while it may not keep with the original design of the building, it does a damn good job of looking very nice. The façade may have been damaged underneath when they put on that brick crap in the 1960s.
June 4, 200817 yr I haven't been to Portsmouth in forever. It's good to hear that something is going on.
June 5, 200817 yr Where is that Justice Center going to be? I can't wait to end up in there after a long night of Portsmouth fun! Kidding...
June 5, 200817 yr Between 9th and 10th Streets, facing Washington (west one block of Chillicothe/US 23), north of downtown and west of the park. I found the info. It's on the Portsmouth city web-site.
August 11, 200816 yr A new lease on life for the Eli Kinney House Heritage Ohio names Portsmouth home to 'Ohio's Top Preservation Opportunities List 2008' By Deborah Daniels, Portsmouth Daily Times, August 10, 2008 The Eli Kinney House of Portsmouth has been selected along with nine other buildings across the state, as part of the "Top Preservation Opportunities List for 2008." Heritage Ohio, a preservation and revitalization organization in Columbus, recently made the announcement. "The 10 brick and mortar opportunities represent a variety of building types and a variety of opportunities to investors and communities alike," said Joyce Barrett, director of historic preservation for Heritage Ohio. The Eli Kinney House, located at 317 Court St., is a Greek Revival home built in 1849 by one of Portsmouth's founding fathers. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home in recent years has fallen into disrepair, and the Portsmouth Design Review Board stopped an earlier attempt to demolish the historic building. It was owned for awhile by the Elks City Lodge, but now is in the hands of willing owners who value its restoration -- John and Ellen Vetter of Portsmouth.
October 14, 200816 yr Stone House open for tours West Portsmouth landmark is filled with historical significance By G. Sam Piatt, Portsmouth Daily Times, October 5, 2008 Many West Portsmouth residents don't realize the historic treasure they have in their midst in the Pennsylvania Stone House, completed by pioneer Phillip Moore Jr. 205 years ago. "When they learn of the history of this house they say, hey, I drive by that place every day and I didn't realize that," said its owner, Steve Hayes, a local radio personality. Hayes opened the house for tours Sunday, with visitors being shuttled from the Scioto County/Portsmouth Welcome Center on Second Street over to the house, located along Ohio 239 on the south edge of West Portsmouth. The house sits in an area where the Ohio and Buckeye trails came down from the north and west. The Ohio & Erie Canal operated nearby. Moore and his family came down the Ohio River from Allentown, Pa., on a flatboat.
October 23, 200816 yr City auditor clarifies City Center financing Portsmouth Daily Times, October 19, 2008 One of the purposes of this column is to inform people about issues that affect their lives. But we don't claim to know everything about everything. As a matter of fact, one of my favorite sayings is, "I don't have to know everything, I just have to know who does." That's especially true when it comes to matters as important as the economic lifeblood of our community and issues that will effect it for decades to come. I'm talking about the proposed Justice Center/City Center Project. One of the key issues concerning the project is financing. Who better to address the issue than Trent Williams, city auditor and a man with a talent for making clear and meaningful the financial morass that leaves most of us scratching our heads.
November 4, 200816 yr Portsmouth City Center/Justice Center hearing on hold By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, October 30, 2008 The case of Daub versus Progress Portsmouth will not see the light of day until after the Nov. 4 election, according to Austin Keyser of Progress Portsmouth, after a hearing scheduled for Thursday could not be completed. Harald Daub, a former Portsmouth City Councilman, has taken the pro Portsmouth City Center/Justice Center group to the Ohio Elections Commission. "I'm doing this on behalf of the property owners here that may be misled," Daub said. "I'm not doing this for any personal thing, that I'm a past councilman or anything." Daub said his involvement began when his parents, who were on a fixed income first brought the issue to his attention.
November 6, 200816 yr City Center/Justice Center fails By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, November 5, 2008 It's back to the drawing board for Portsmouth Mayor James Kalb and Portsmouth Council after voters rejected using the former Marting's building for the second time in five years. By a vote of 4,160 to 3,024 margin, voters said they don't want to pay the $12 million for the City Center/Justice Center project, proposed by council. Teresa Mollette, a regular attendee at Portsmouth City Council meetings, and opponent of the project laid the outcome at the mayor's feet. "The one thing about this that I do know is that Jim Kalb said the citizens of Portsmouth did not know what they were talking about," Said Mollette. "And they do want the city to have a plan."
November 10, 200816 yr City goes back to drawing board By T.W. Allen, Portsmouth Daily Times, November 9, 2008 With the failure of the proposed Portsmouth City Center/Justice Center, the city and other groups are looking on to what's next. There is no doubt the City of Portsmouth needs a new building to conduct government in. Officials with the city will now have to go back to the drawing board in the effort of getting new facilities. "The voters of Portsmouth have once again spoken loud and clear. In defeating the Marting's Building City Hall/Retail Mall proposal, voters of Portsmouth, for the second time in less than two years, people have made their voices heard; this time saying, in effect, 'Retail development of the Marting's building is not the responsibility of Portsmouth taxpayers,'" a statement from A Better government Coalition stated. "We (A Better Government Coalition) have mixed emotions about the issue. We were painted as being against progress -- we are certainly not. They (City Council) had an opportunity when the original city building committee made its recommendation for one building -- $7 million dollars -- much less expensive. The committee also outlined how to develop and market Marting's," Kevin Johnson spokesperson for A Better Government Coalition said.
October 24, 200915 yr Main Street Portsmouth Hosting Sixth Annual Tour Of Lofts And Other Historic Places Portsmouth Daily Times, October 18, 2009 The Main Street Portsmouth Design Committee is making plans for the Sixth Annual Tour of Lofts and Other Historic Places. The event takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 25, and participants are invited to take a tour of local lofts and other historic places in downtown Portsmouth and Historic Boneyfiddle.
November 9, 200915 yr New Boston On Schedule As It Prepares For New School By Ryan Scott Ottney, Portsmouth Daily Times, November 6, 2009 It seems Sun and Funland Pool, in New Boston, has seen its last cannonball — when it came ripping through its cinderblock walls Wednesday morning. The land is being cleared by New Boston School in preparation for building a new pre-K through 12 school building.
January 4, 201015 yr City Unveils Master Streetscape Plan Portsmouth Daily Times, January 1, 2009 Three years ago, the process began to develop a Downtown Streetscape Master Plan for Portsmouth. The plan was unveiled this week. According to the “Downtown Revitalization Plan,” dated June 20, 2007, the process “was designed to help people interested in the future of downtown Portsmouth reach an ambitious goal; to chart an effective and achievable process for rebuilding downtown Portsmouth’s role as the heart of the Portsmouth and the Scioto County community.” Two years after the first plan was unveiled, the Portsmouth Downtown Streetscape Master Plan had been developed.
January 10, 201015 yr Portsmouth Development Director Resigns, Blasts Murray By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, January 6, 2009 Former Portsmouth City Development Director Daniel Saez has blasted new Portsmouth Mayor Jane Murray after announcing his resignation, effective 11 p.m. Jan. 1. “To publicly speak untruths about someone’s job performance, or misrepresent the facts, when the facts, on the public record, speak otherwise, and being unwilling to apologize on the record, when the proof to the contrary is presented, is not behavior that I, or anyone else should accept from a public official or anyone for that matter,” Saez told the Portsmouth Daily Times.
April 24, 201015 yr Ramada Inn To Become Holiday Inn By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, April 23, 2010 A local group is investing about $2.5 million in the community. Jeff Albrecht, of the Ramada Inn of 711 Second St. in Portsmouth, announced Thursday the facility will become a Holiday Inn.
April 25, 201015 yr ^ Yeeehha! Looks like EIFS is on it's way! That Ramada makes a lot of money as basically the only hotel in town.
April 26, 201015 yr Yeah, the Holiday Inn upgrade will be WELL worth it, though. The Holiday Inn refresh is very nice, and is the typical new exterior and interior you see popping up everywhere else. EIFS or not, I can't wait :)
May 9, 201015 yr Developers Take A Look At Marting’s Building: Mayor Says Potential Buyers Looking For Mixed-Use Facility By Frank Lewis, Portsmouth Daily Times, May 8, 2010 Portsmouth Mayor Jane Murray was standing on the roof of the Marting’s Building last week, giving a tour to a group of prospective buyers. “There is a group of potential developers here looking at it as a mixed-use facility,” Murray said. “They already see the potential, and, of course, we can make it available.” Murray said the uses of the building — purchased by the city in 2002 and setting off a firestorm of opposition by members of the community — has many possibilities, and the group looking at the facility Thursday deals with condominium mixed-use.
May 16, 201015 yr A great Portsmouth Daily Times op-ed on Mayor Murray and how she is jeopardizing the city's future with her personal and political comments and actions.
March 28, 20169 yr From the 3/11/16 Portsmouth Daily Times: SSU announces downtown investment PORTSMOUTH — On Friday afternoon, Shawnee State University (SSU) announced its intention to invest in downtown Portsmouth in creating a Chillicothe Street Corridor to its campus. According to released information, the university’s plans include renovation of three of its properties 314, 310, and 308 Chillicothe Street to locate several existing university offices, including its Development Office, the SSU Development Foundation, Alumni & Community Relations, and Career Services. “Our hope is that our presence downtown, along with a stronger visual connection and pathway for students to walk to and from Chillicothe Street, will pave the way for future development in this area,” SSU President Rick Kurtz, said in a released statement. http://portsmouth-dailytimes.com/news/6294/ssu-announces-downtown-investment
March 28, 20169 yr Finally. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
September 18, 20195 yr Sleep Inn and Mainstay hotel have erected boards with pictures of their future dual hotel brand in a single building. It's to be built in downtown Portsmouth between 2nd and 3rd streets bounded by Washington to the East. It should be about 7 stories. This story mentions the new hotel: https://www.portsmouth-dailytimes.com/top-stories/38041/racing-on-the-river
September 18, 20195 yr "Newsome said he was not certain, but he believes the new building may be the tallest in Portsmouth." Well, that's something! “To an Ohio resident - wherever he lives - some other part of his state seems unreal.”
September 19, 20195 yr 17 hours ago, GCrites80s said: I can think of two buildings that are probably taller. We'll see.... if it gets built at all. IF it does, it will be good infill as it's currently a vacant lot. It will be located next to the 7pour0 brewery so it will be good business for them and other 2nd street businesses if it is built.
December 27, 20204 yr Downtown Portsmouth is hanging in there. Boneyfiddle is looking a lot better with a lot of new rehabs and locally owned businesses, and a new hotel is going up across the street from the Holiday Inn. The First Presbyterian Church, a Greek Revival style building at the corner of Court and Third Streets, was built between 1849-50. The present belfry was added in 1865 after the original had been blown off in a tornado of 1860. The Portsmouth National Bank & the Elk Building at Court and 2nd Street is one of my favorite in the state. It looks even better after it was renovated. It was built in 1892 by the Elks and was home to the Portsmouth National Bank. Edited December 28, 20204 yr by seicer
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