From the 10/18/05 Huntington Herald-Dispatch:

 

PHOTO: Bill Dingus of the Lawrence County Economic Development Agency discusses some plans on Monday, Oct. 17, 2005, for The Point industrial park. Dingus says future industrial development needs to include usage of the Ohio River.  Randy Snyder/The Herald-Dispatch

 

Developer sees interest in The Point

By Scott Wartman

The Herald-Dispatch

 

SOUTH POINT, Ohio -- In the shadow of the former South Point Ethanol Plant, workers have cleared a patch of weeds and grass in South Point that soon may house a large industrial company. 

 

The Lawrence Economic Development Corporation will build the $1.4 million shell building in the Point industrial park along the Ohio River.  The building will be fitted with two large industrial cranes and rail lines for heavy equipment.  The development corporation will complete the building in April or May 2006. 

 

The demand from industry will be high, said Bill Dingus, executive director of The Lawrence County Economic Development Corp.  The Point, which encompasses 500 acres, could house 3,000 to 5,000 jobs after the development of the land is completed in about four years, Dingus said.

 

Full article:

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051018/BUSINESS/510180314/1003/ARCHIVE

 

From the 11/18/05 Huntington Herald-Dispatch:

 

PHOTO: Bill Dingus of the Lawrence County Economic Development Agency discusses some plans on Oct. 17, for The Point industrial park  Randy Snyder/The Herald-Dispatch

 

The Point targeted for foreign trade

By DAVID E. MALLOY

The Herald-Dispatch

 

SOUTH POINT, Ohio -- Dozens of local and Tri-State Area residents came out Thursday afternoon to support the establishment of a foreign trade zone at The Point industrial park in South Point -- a move that could lead to an undetermined number of manufacturing jobs.  Carl Grover, owner of Engines Inc., said he already had 40 employees at the industrial park and planned to expand that to 100 jobs in the next 18 months. 

 

Establishing a foreign trade zone at the 500-acre industrial park could help bring industrial jobs to the area. The country is losing its high-paying manufacturing jobs and fast become a third-world country, he said.  "You are going to see a lot of manufacturing jobs in South Point," he said.

 

He was among about a dozen people who spoke in favor of the foreign trade designation at the industrial park.  The Lawrence County Port Authority filed the application for the designation last month, prompting Thursday's public hearing by the U.S. Customs Service at the South Point Community Center.  A foreign trade zone designation allows companies, including international companies, to store goods and not pay taxes or tariffs on them while they're being stored.

 

Full article:

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051118/NEWS02/511180326/1007

 

I was unable to find any renderings or any information at all about this.  It seems kind of ambitious.  From the 11/23/05 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

Fairland schools back RiverWalk funding plan

By Catherine Burcham/The Ironton Tribune

Wednesday, November 23, 2005 10:33 PM CST

 

PROCTORVILLE - Fairland Schools officials gave their stamp of approval to the proposed RiverWalk development and the plan to finance it. Members of the Fairland Board of Education met with RiverWalk developers Tuesday to discuss what the project could mean to the schools and to the community.

 

http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2005/11/29/news/news444.txt

 

That is quite ambitious. If they are able to pull this off, I say more power to them! It would be great for that part of Ohio.

VERY ambitious.  There is also a luxury condo development going on in Chesapeake.  It wouldn't be my first choice to develop, but I guess they're banking on the river doing the selling.

From the 12/2/05 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

County OKs RiverWalk tax system

By Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune

Friday, December 2, 2005 9:55 AM CST

 

“Everyone is pulling together.”  That's the way Lawrence County Commissioner Doug Malone described action Thursday to boost an economic development project in the works for the county's eastern end.  The Lawrence County Commission Thursday gave its stamp of approval to a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan for the proposed RiverWalk project in Union Township.

 

http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2005/12/06/news/news408.txt

 

From the 12/21/05 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

LEDC gets loan for new building at Point

By Justin McElroy/The Ironton Tribune

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 10:41 AM CST

 

“If you build it, they will come.”  That was the message from Lawrence County Commissioner George Patterson who, along with the rest of the commission, signed a loan guaranty for a new $500,000 spec building at The Point during Tuesday’s commission meeting.

 

The loan will be taken out by the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation, to be built at The Point industrial park in South Point.  This new building will have two 80-foot wide bays and cranes, so heavy manufacturing can take place inside of it.  LEDC executive director Dr. Bill Dingus said that work has already begun on the facility on the LEDC’s dime. 

 

Dingus said that a couple of prospective tenants have already inquired about the new facility, which the LEDC hopes to have completed by the middle of 2006.

 

Full article: http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2005/12/26/news/news325.txt

 

From the 12/29/05 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

LEDC considers future of The Point’s riverfront

By Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune

Thursday, December 29, 2005 10:28 AM CST

 

SOUTH POINT— Let’s take 90 days and think about this.  That was the consensus of a meeting Wednesday regarding Superior Marine, Inc.’s lease of land at The Point industrial park.

 

McNational, Inc., the holding company of McGinnis, Inc., has asked the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) to terminate its lease with Superior Maine Ways, Inc., and allow McNational and a partner, the Columbus-based Slane Co., to use part of the riverfront property now leased by Superior.  McNational and Slane have plans to develop a $120 million ethanol plant and want to use part of the riverfront land to load and off load products shipped by river barge.

 

But Richard Meyers, the attorney for Superior Maine Ways, Inc. said his client has a valid contract and any breach of that contract would be met with a lawsuit.  “I don’t believe you have any right to terminate the lease,” he said. …“Dale Manns won’t stop any new business from coming into the county. But if the lease is terminated we will ask a court to decide it.”

 

Full article: http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/01/03/news/news291.txt

 

From the 12/29/05 Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch:

 

 

Ethanol plant could come to The Point

By DAVID E. MALLOY

 

SOUTH POINT, Ohio -- A Dublin, Ohio, company is looking into locating at The Point, a South Point industrial park, if it can get access to the park's 3,300 feet of Ohio River front access.  The company could provide some 60 jobs and be open by the fall of 2007, a company official said Wednesday.

 

Jim Wilmers, vice president of development for McNational Inc., said the company is within 90 days of making a decision to buy 60 acres of land in the 500 acre industrial park to build a $120 million ethanol plant at the site of the former South Point Ethanol Plant. 

 

One key element that needs to be worked out first, however, is access to the Ohio River, Wilmers said during a meeting of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation at the Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce in South Point.  The board of trustees for the development corporation discussed riverfront access for about three hours Wednesday afternoon.  The development corporation is overseeing development of the industrial park.

 

Full article:

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051229/NEWS02/512290331/1007

 

Joint venture to build ethanol plant

By Brian Ball, Business First

Business First of Columbus - 2:59 PM EST Tuesday

 

Two Ohio companies have joined to develop a $120 million ethanol production plant in Southern Ohio.  South Point-based McNational Inc., an operator of tugboats and shipyards along the Ohio River, and Gahanna-based Slane Co., which develops and invests in real estate, plan to begin construction within a year on the large-scale ethanol production plant on a site in South Point, which is near Ironton.  It should open in 2008.

 

Plans call for the facility to produce 100 million barrels of ethanol per year.  Most of the initial production of ethanol will become an additive to gasoline. In the coming years, it will be blended into E85 fuel, an alternative to gasoline in modified engines.

 

Full article: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/02/06/daily10.html 

From the 2/1/06 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

Engines, Inc. revs up its expansion plans

By Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 10:43 AM CST

 

SOUTH POINT — 2006 promises to be a busy — and productive — one for one of Lawrence County’s newest enterprises: Expansion plans continue on several fronts for Engines, Inc. at The Point industrial park.

 

Last year, Engines, Inc. leased three vacant buildings in the park and is renovating them to accommodate expansion at its South Point operations.  The existing buildings that will be renovated are near the Engines, Inc. facility along County Road 1 just inside the industrial park entrance.

 

Meanwhile, office space at the new facility should be completed within a couple of months.

 

More: http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/02/01/news/news159.txt

 

---

From the 2/1/06 Ironton Tribune:

 

Company plans $4.7M South Point facility

By Justin McElroy/The Ironton Tribune

Wednesday, February 1, 2006 10:43 AM CST

 

SOUTH POINT — Good news for Lawrence Countians on a job hunt: An Institute, W.Va.-based company will soon begin work on a new $4.725 million expansion in South Point. The company will look to hire a minimum of 25 to 45 employees.

 

The Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 60 percent, six-year tax credit to IVS Hydro, Inc. on Monday, contingent upon the creation of the jobs in the South Point area. The company also agreed to remain in South Point for a minimum of 12 years.

 

IVS Hydro offers industrial clean-up services like water blasting and demolition, chemical spill response, etc. Company president Richard Dawson said they’ve done plenty of business in the Tri-State area, and had settled on opening a branch in the region before the credit was offered.

 

More: http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/02/01/news/news158.txt

 

I don't care what they say... the only "Point" that matters in Ohio is "Cedar Point."

From Business First of Columbus, 2/7/06:

 

 

Joint venture to build ethanol plant

Brian Ball

Business First

 

Two Ohio companies have joined to develop a $120 million ethanol production plant in Southern Ohio.  South Point-based McNational Inc., an operator of tugboats and shipyards along the Ohio River, and Gahanna-based Slane Co., which develops and invests in real estate, plan to begin construction within a year on the large-scale ethanol production plant on a site in South Point, which is near Ironton. 

 

Plans call for the facility to produce 100 million barrels of ethanol per year.  "I have a big interest in this," said Slane Co. co-owner Dan Slane.  "I think ethanol fuel is the future of this country," he added. "It's the right time to be in this business."

 

The facility also will produce 320 tons of dried distillers grain as animal feed.  Slane said the by-product also can be turned into fuel pellets.  The facility will be powered by synthetic coal pellets produced from wood chips and reclaimed coal fines, a waste product of small particles of coal, Slane said.  Use of the fuel will make it more competitive than natural gas-fired ethanol plants, he said.

 

Full article: http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/02/06/daily10.html

 

From the 3/18/06 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

Ethanol plant still in works with plans for plant

By Kirsten Stanley/The Ironton Tribune

Saturday, March 18, 2006 9:02 PM CST

 

SOUTH POINT — Plans may not be inked yet, but a multi-million dollar company says it is intent on locating its ethanol plant at The Point industrial park.  McNational Inc., the holding company of McGinnis Inc., and the Gahanna-Based Slane Co., are planning to build its plant — Buckeye Ethanol — on a 60-acre site at the industrial park.

 

The $150 million plant is in the design phase and the companies are completing the necessary paperwork and permits for the plant’s approval through the Lawrence Economic Development Corp. and other state agencies, said Dan Slane, co-owner of Slane Co. 

 

It is estimated that construction could begin early next year. 

 

Full article: http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/03/22/news/news978.txt

 

From the 5/20/06 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

Project evolves slowly

By Kirsten Stanley/The Ironton Tribune

Saturday, May 20, 2006 9:32 PM CDT

 

PROCTORVILLE — A massive economic development project planned along the Ohio River in eastern Lawrence County got a much-needed financial shot in the arm, but developers say the project is moving a little bit slower than they had anticipated.  The RiverWalk project, expected to cost between $110 and $130 million, was first announced early last year. Since then, developers have been scrambling to get the project off the ground.

 

According to developers, RiverWalk will be a multi-use, planned community that would include a marina, luxury condominiums, a hotel and convention center, a retirement community, medical and professional facilities, and industrial and shopping opportunities.

 

http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/05/24/news/news691.txt

 

From the 8/19/06 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

New spec building in works at The Point

By Teresa Moore/The Ironton Tribune

Saturday, August 19, 2006 10:56 PM CDT

 

SOUTH POINT — If two is good, then three must be better.  The Lawrence County Commission Thursday gave its blessing to an application to the Ohio Department of Development for funding for a third spec building at The Point industrial park. 

 

Viviane Khounlavong, assistant director of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation, said local officials are asking for a $500,000 grant and a $500,000 loan to build the new 32,800-square-feet spec building, but could also seek funding in the future from the Huntington-Ironton Empowerment Zone.  “Right now we’re shooting for (ODD) money to cover most of the cost,” she said.  “But the empowerment zone has been a partner in development at The Point for some time.”

 

Local officials should know within 30-60 days if they get the money for the new spec building.  It will be built on a parcel of land off Collins Avenue near the U.S. 52 entrance to the park.

 

Full article:

http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/08/23/news/news177.txt

 

ODOD press release, 8/28/06:

 

TAFT ANNOUNCES GRANTS TO BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2006

 

Lawrence Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), located in the Village of South Point (Lawrence County), will receive a $50,000 Roadwork Development (629) Grant to complete public roadwork in support of the expansion of Engines, Incorporated (Engines, Inc.).  Engines, Inc. performs customized machining for the steel industry, and manufactures rail cars and rail car components. Engines, Inc. currently does not have sufficient space to meet the growing demand for repairs to rail cars or to meet its growing sales demand.  The company is considering an expansion of its operations at The Point Industrial Park in South Point by purchasing a 42,000 square-foot speculative building that is located adjacent to its current facility.  The LEDC plans to construct a 500 lineal foot access road off of Commerce Drive to provide adequate access to Engines' new industrial building. Engines, Inc. will also extend a rail spur by 2,600 lineal feet to provide rail access to the new building.  Ohio is in competition with West Virginia for this $3.55 million project, which is expected to create 50 jobs and retain 52 positions within the first three years of the project's initial operations.

 

The Business Development Account (412) is a grant program to assist companies and communities that are creating or retaining jobs in Ohio. The Roadwork Development Account (629) provides grant assistance to communities for highway and road projects related to job creation and retention. The 629 Program is funded with gas tax dollars and is restricted to public road projects only.

 

http://www.odod.state.oh.us/newsroom/releases/1640.asp

 

I know I pick on Ironton a lot - it is full of abandonments (or was) and made for some good topics for my web-site, Abandoned, but it is looking up.

 

Ironton was once a very prosperous city, but hard times in the 1970s through the 1990s dealt a lot of issues for the city of just over 10,000. Many industries left or was forced to close, such as Alpha Portland Cement Company, Intermet, and numerous heavy industries. The downsizing of Armco Steel (which was bought by AK Steel and subsequently saved the plant from closing altogether), New Boston's industries, and the closure of the South Point Ethanol Plant (which has had a varied past) depressed the entire region.

 

Then the Ashland Town Center opened. The downtown in Ironton nearly died overnight. JCPenny moved out of its downtown location to the mall across the border, and many businesses struggled to just stay open. More and more bars in the region became decrepit and were not maintained and buildings were fast abandoned. The old movie theatere has been closed for quite some time, and the former Memorial Hall (then city hall) was shuttered. The Marting Hotel was empty and virtually no one lived in the central city.

 

But its now looking up at least. A former bar became CR Thomas - and when that closed last year due to the owner pilfering the business for all it was worth - it was renovated and is now Melini Cucina Italian Eatery (opened in November). See this before photo. The Marting Hotel was renovated into an affordable senior citizens complex and was spared demolition. The old industrial ruins that lined the main drag through the town were demolished and is slated for redevelopment. The old train depot, which once became an Italian eatery - had a new roof installed after many years of neglect. It is now slated for a restaurant. Streetscape improvements that included the construction of new sidewalks, pavement, lights and trees have beautified much of the center.

 

Hopefully going into 2007 we can see much improvement. From a city that was once on the verge of bankruptcy is now seeing some black fiscally. The redevelopment of old industrial sites will continue, along with the cleanup of many decrepit areas.

 

Photos will be coming soon!

Article on Melini Cucina

 

Melini hopes to have restaurant open by Monday

 

By Mark Shaffer/The Ironton Tribune

Thursday, November 16, 2006 9:14 AM CST

 

Melini Cucina Italian Eatery could open Monday. Or the Monday after Thanksgiving at the latest.

 

“I’m missing one little part for my ice maker but I’m going to go get it (today),” said the restaurant’s owner, Kentucky entrepreneur Venus Melini. “I hope to get everything in and settled this weekend. I’m trying my best to open Monday.”

 

“But sometimes things happen, so I open next Monday,” he added.

 

Melini, a native of Sicily, said he decided to open a restaurant in Ironton because of the number of people who traveled from Ironton, Ashland, Ky., and Russell, Ky., to his place in Grayson, Ky.

Article on two downtown eateries

Good things cookin’ in heart of Ironton

Saturday, November 18, 2006 9:36 PM CST

The Ironton Tribune Editorial Board

 

You will not find this in any cookbook, but some Ironton business owners have found a great recipe that goes something like this: Take one part dedication to a community. Add in a helping of elbow grease. Mix lots of passion and commitment, with a side order of faith. Stir together with lots of hard work and a dash of optimism. What do you get?

 

A sweet, smelling dish called downtown revitalization. And though the gourmet meal is not yet complete, it certainly appears that great things are cooking in the heart of the county seat. So far, the aroma has a definite Italian and Mexican flavor. The recipe analogy aptly describes what two restaurant owners are whipping up in downtown. Venus Melini, owner of the soon-to-be open Melini Cucina Italian Eatery in the former CR Thomas’ building, and Jose Garcia owner of Toro Loco are each preparing their own dish.

 

Also see this thread. An extensive write up on Abandoned will be coming in the near future. To put it simply, Ironton is at a crossroads, in transition from a heavy industry-based economy to one on services and light manufacturing. It'll be interesting to see this Ohio River town in another 20 years.

 

The remainder of the photographs can be seen here and here here. Nearly every image contains commentary of sorts. Enjoy!

 

1. Toro Loco: In 2004, this depreciated corner building was purchased and converted into the Toro Loco restaurant. Until late 2006, it stood as a monument to Ironton's troubled present; a lack of employment and industry has contributed to many ills in the city. The owners have insisted on renovating the structure instead of letting it decay. A fresh coat of paint was applied, breathing new life into this vital corner piece of downtown Ironton. Additional renovations are taking place on the inside.

 

2. Toro Loco

 

3. Ugly

 

4. Lawrence County Courthouse

 

5. St. Lawrence O'Toole Catholic

 

6. First United Methodist Church

 

7. First Presbyterian

 

8. Memorial Hall

It's good to see that someone cares enough to invest. It looks like the town has some solid old building stock.

Wonderful!

Thanks!

irontastic

very nice - and thanks for the link to the 'abandoned' site - didn't know it existed, love it. 

Hey Sherman, didn't know you were on here. I'm Bigfoot 4x4x4 on m.t.r.

 

Anyway, I remember being able to smoke inside the courthouse when I went there in 2004.

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070106/NEWS01/70106027/-1/NEWS13

 

Corps of Engineers seeking comments on project

 

 

http://www.herald-dispatch.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070111/NEWS01/70111018/-1/NEWS13

 

SLC: I've seen this development. It is in a floodplain, and the Army Corps of Engineers a few years back went in and demolished several homes after repeated flooding. And *they* are complaining? The RiverWalk development is using a 2 for 1 method for reclamation of land - for every one acre of wetland destroyed, two will be constructed. This helps alleviate future flooding and runoff issues.

 

Rejon Acres residents concerned over developer proposal

By David E. Malloy, The Herald-Dispatch

 

PROCTORVILLE, Ohio -- Several residents in Rejon Acres subdivision near Indian Guyan Creek are concerned that a proposal by developers of the planned $108 million RiverWalk project could cause flooding in their homes and cover the road leading to the subdivision.  The Huntington District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is seeking public comment through Jan. 22 on a proposal to fill in 3.3 acres of wetlands north of Ohio 7 for the initial phase of the RiverWalk project that would allow for construction of an assisted living housing project, nursing home and parking.

 

 

Is this where the dragstrip used to be?

Yeah, in the flat lands south of OH 7.

From the 12/21/06 Ironton Tribune:

 

Putting a new face on things

City hopes industrial site cleanup can lure retail development

By Mark Shaffer/The Ironton Tribune

Thursday, December 21, 2006 10:01 AM CST

 

The city of Ironton should know soon if they want to purchase the old Intermet/Ironton Iron site.  Ironton Mayor John Elam said if the longtime industrial site is cleaned and purchased by the city for a symbolic $1, the 20 plus acres of land on South Third Street could be used for economic development either with a factory or retail stores.  “That is prime commercial development property. It will be cleaned to commercial standards,” Elam said.  “It would be my intent for this property to contract with someone who is very well versed in commercial development to assist the city in future development.”

 

The site was a foundry for more than 100 years and operated under the names of Dayton Malleable and Ironton Iron and produced automotive casings.  The last owner was Intermet Corp., which purchased the foundry in 1988 and closed it in 2000 after suppliers went overseas to get their products.  Currently, SRW Environmental Services Inc. is taking core samples from the ground in an effort to determine if there are any contaminants on the property.

 

Full story at http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/12/21/news/news068.txt

 

Community group reveals plans for beautification

 

Community group reveals plans for beautification

By Kirsten Stanley/The Ironton Tribune

Friday, February 9, 2007 9:53 AM CST

 

CHESAPEAKE - The Lawrence County Commissioners got their first look at plans for a massive beautification project along State Route 7 during their weekly meeting Thursday.

 

Doug Cade, director of operations with Ironton-based E.L. Robinson Engineering and members of Operation Tidy-Up Lawrence County — commonly known as TLC — presented their report, which was the culmination of a $10,000 engineering study designed to explore improvements such as new sidewalks, bicycle paths, streetlights, flower pots, benches and road upgrades...

 

E.L. Robinson will present the report to the public at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ohio University Proctorville Center.

 

Article information: "Community group reveals plans for beautification, By Kirsten Stanley/The Ironton Tribune, Friday, February 9, 2007 9:53 AM CST"

Good to see the smaller towns (or I guess...suburb of Huntington!??! in this case) taking small steps!

The road is quite pathetic. The 'downtown' has a shopping center and a few businesses clumped together, with only a few that actually front the street. The city hall is a former house that has a nice small park, its centerpiece being a spire from the old bridge. West of the downtown, the road resembles a two-lane backroad littered with houses, as its never been upgraded to modern standards. To the east, it has sidewalks in some areas, none in others, and pieces here-and-there. Slips and faults continuously ravage the road to the east and work just finished on one major landslide just a few months ago.

 

It does have its nice points though. There is a nice truss bridge that would look nice with planters, with sidewalks flanking both sides of the road at that point. The downtown needs improvement in the way of an improved streetscape, and the shopping center could use some landscaping.

 

Let's see how it goes...

http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2006/09/11/news/news059.txt

 

Sharing a vision for the future

By Mark Shaffer/The Ironton Tribune

Monday, September 11, 2006 10:34 AM CDT

 

Although most people probably didn’t notice it, there was a team inspecting Ironton last week.  The Heritage Ohio team held a meeting with local politicians, business leaders, civic groups and others all day Thursday at the Ironton Fire station.  Members looked at architecture, roads, retailers and everything else.

 

The purpose: See if Ironton qualifies for the group’s Main Street program that is trying to preserve Ohio’s downtown history and create tourism opportunities.  Ironton Mayor John Elam said the program provides communities opportunities through economic development.  “Main Street is network system and I think that is where a lot of the help will be gleaned,” he said. “Being able to converse with people who have gone through the same obstacles every community faces, especially the river towns, will be invaluable.”

I've always been curious about Ironton. 

New restaurants come to Ironton

 

Two new restaurants are opening. March 12 is the opening date of Buffalo Wild Wings at part of the former Hill's Department Store off of State Route 93. The other is Austyn's, which will offer steaks, seafood, etc. in the old Train Depot (formerly home to a pizzeria then abandoned). This comes as Melini's, which opened after Thanksgiving, is seeing booming business.

 

Article information: "New restaurants come to Ironton, By David E. Malloy, The Herald-Dispatch, Thursday, March, 8, 2007"

 

 

From the 2/7/07 Ironton Tribune:

 

 

The Point gets $1M funding

Wednesday, February 7, 2007 9:48 AM CST

Staff report/The Ironton Tribune

 

COLUMBUS — Republican State Senators Tom Niehaus and John Carey, both representatives of Lawrence County, announced Monday that the state legislature has approved $1 million in funding for more construction at The Point.

 

The Lawrence Economic Development Corporation will receive $500,000 from a Rural Industrial Park loan and $500,000 from a Rural Development Initiative Fund grant.  Both the loan and the grant will reportedly be used to construct multiple job sites to house offices and warehouses for prospective companies, according to a press release from Carey. 

 

Full article:

http://www.irontontribune.com/articles/2007/02/07/news/news678.txt

 

Guy’s Floor Covering moving to Ironton Industrial Park

 

Notes --

1. Guy's Floor Covering (Vernon and S. 3rd) is relocating to the South Ironton Industrial Park because they ran out of room. They could not use the upper floors of the building and you can't "carry carpet upstairs."

2. Guy's has been a fixture in downtown for 30 years.

3. The new property, purchased for $35,000, will contain a 1,200 sq. ft. building on the former Allied Chemical site. It will have more parking, a bay for a semi-truck, and more space for storage. It will also have public storage space.

4. The move of the business is also good -- according to the Downtown Revitalization program for the city. Several downtown businesses that are in large, underutilized, multi-story buildings will be converted to a mix of lofts and business space.

 

Article information: "Guy’s Floor Covering moving to Ironton Industrial Park, By Mark Shaffer, The Ironton Tribune, May 16, 2007"

Port authority gets grant for riverfront park

 

Notes --

1. Senator Tom Niehaus is expected to deliver a $150,000 check to the Ironton Port Authority to purchase land that will become part of a new riverfront park. The land purchased will be between the Center Street landing at the westewater treatment plant between the Ohio River and the floodwall near Etna Street.

2. The park will be developed in phases, and could be 14 acres eventually. The land purchased will be only four acres, and is adjacent to other city-owned property.

3. The park will include an amphitheater, bike trails, walking trails, a playground, concession stand, and a nice lookout.

4. It will be part of other revitalization projects -- such as the new bus system (just recently reinstated), loft apartments (???!), Main Street project, etc.

 

Article information: "Port authority gets grant for riverfront park, By Teresa Moore, The Ironton Tribune, May 15, 2007"

:cry:

 

Community gets chance for final high school tour

 

Notes --

1. Ironton City Schools will have a planned informal open house on graduation day, May 27, to allow anyone to have a last chance to walk the halls of Ironton High School. It is expected to close at the end of the year and be demolished. A new school will be built in its place.

2. A levy was passed and the majority voted for a new building instead of renovations.

3. The school will be open from 12 to 2 PM.

 

Article information: "Community gets chance for final high school tour, By Teresa Moore, The Ironton Tribune, May 16, 2007"

I really need to read the Ironton Tribune more...

 

Plan looking at loft apartments

 

Notes --

1. There is a plan to convert a few downtown Ironton buildings into loft-style apartments and businesses. The Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization and the Lawrence County Economic Development Corp. have options to buy several buildings. These include --

1a. The Marlow Theater (Park Ave. and Third St.) currently houses Tim's News,

1b. Guy's Floor Covering (Vernon and Third St.) -- see above.

1c. Jazzercise Center.

2. The Jazzercise Center could be demolished for parking. (Although a parking lot exists across the street!)

3. Tim Gearhart, owner of Tim's News, supports the project. He has owned the building for 25 years and is willing to sell it. He thought about doing a similar project but it was beyond his ability -- the cost was one million dollars.

4. The project has an estimated price tag of $4.5 million with funding coming from multiple sources. A completion date is set for December 2009. Plans will be submitted to the state and could be approved by June.

5. The lofts will have open spaces, hardwood floors and exposed beams. There will be both efficiencies and single bedrooms, and will not be public housing.

 

Article information: "Plan looking at loft apartments, By Mark Shaffer, The Ironton Tribune, March 17, 2007"

Plans to demolish hospital proceed

 

Notes --

1. The Ironton Port Authority (IPA) has been approved for a $750,000 Clean Ohio Assitance grant to raze the River Valley Hospital building. The hospital closed in 2001. It was purchased in 2002 by Kentucky's Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital (OLBH), but it was never reused.

1a. The grant, which comes from the Ohio Department of Development, will be combined with $100,060 in matching funds from OLBH.

2. The land that the hospital rests on could become upscale housing. The homes that will be constructed must blend in with the existing neighborhood; they will not be low-income housing.

3. The controlling board will soon give its approval in early June. Soon after, an engineering consultant will supervise the asbestos abatement and then demolish the hospital. It could be demolished by late-fall.

 

Article information: "Plans to demolish hospital proceed, By Teresa Moore, The Ironton Tribune, May 19, 2007"

What’s happening in the county?

 

Notes --

1. The River Walk project in Proctorville along the Ohio River is in the permitting stages. It would include residential units and a condominium, recreational opportunities, medical facilities, retail outlets, and a 385-slip marina. The project, which could cost $102 million, could create hundreds or thousands of jobs and create more than $10 million in tax revenue.

2. The LJ Navy Warehouse was constructed on CR 1 in South Point and completed in 2006. The 56,000 sq. ft. building could bring 25-100 jobs.

3. The Point is shaping up. A third shell building is being constructed that could hold up to four tenants.

3a. Engines Inc. continues to grow, creating 40 additional jobs and has invested more than $4.2 million into the area.

4. McGinnis Dry-Dock, located in Sheridan along the Ohio River, will construct a $10 million facility that could create up to 50 jobs. It will provide construction, maintenance, and repair for boats and barges.

5. CME Energy is working on a project to construct a coal gasification facility in Hanging Rock. Although it is in the permitting stages, construction could begin in 2008.

 

Article information: "What’s happening in the county?, Ironton Tribune, May 19, 2007"

Low bids have school officials optimistic

 

Notes --

1. The bids for two preparatory projects for the new Ironton City Schools are under initial estimates. A contractor from Portsmouth was the low bidder for the early site package for the Ironton High School site -- $26,000 below the architect's estimate of $285,737. A contractor from Zanesville was the low bidder for the asbestos abatement project at the high school -- at $97,549, under the original estimate of $134,646.

2. Another contractor on the early site package for the elementary and middle school, estimated to cost $926,000, came in under budget.

 

3. Early site packages include the installation of some underground utilities, such as natural gas, sewer, and water -- and will allow for future construction of the new school buildings. It will allow the continued use of the Conley Center for classroom space while the new buildings are being constructed.

 

Article information: "Low bids have school officials optimistic, By TERESA MOORE, The Ironton Tribune, Wednesday, June 6, 2007"

City eyes grant worth $3 million to clean up site

 

Notes --

1. Grant money for the continued cleanup of the former 25-acre Intermet and Ironton Iron site may be coming soon to the city of Ironton. The city has applied up to $3 million in grant money to clean the site and make it usable for commercial properties.  It has a rail spur and is along the Heartland Corridor.

2. Phase I (visual inspection) and Phase II (taking core samples to see if there are environmental hazards) are completed. Phase II was completed in December.

3. If the site is cleaned up, it would be purchased by the city for a symbolic $1. It would be used for economic development -- a factory or retail trade.

 

4. The site was a foundry for more than 100 years and operated as Dayton Malleable and Ironton Iron to produce automotive casings. In 1988, Intermet corp. purchased the site and closed it in 2000 after suppliers went overseas to purchase their products.

5. The city has been attempting to clean the site for three years. It was once close to purchasing the land, but Intermet filed for bankruptcy.

 

Article information: "City eyes grant worth $3 million to clean up site, By MARK SHAFFER, The Ironton Tribune, Wednesday, June 6, 2007"

Biomass misses cleanup deadline

By KIRSTEN STANLEY, The Ironton Tribune

Tuesday, June 12, 2007 11:28 AM CDT

 

SOUTH POINT — A company ordered to remove tons of coal and coke waste from its South Point site has failed to do so and has been ordered back to Lawrence County Common Pleas Court to answer for its inaction.  Biomass Energy LLC, under the leadership of CEO Mark Harris, is scheduled to appear before retired Judge Richard Walton July 19 in Ironton.

 

Initially, the late Judge Frank McCown heard the case.  In December, he ordered the removal of about 33,000 tons of coal and coke waste from the Biomass site at The Point industrial park, the property that once housed the South Point Ethanol plant.  At the last Biomass hearing, McCown also warned the company if it did not clean up the site it would face a $109,000 penalty and forfeiture of a $522,000 performance bond. 

 

The late judge was a sharp critic of the company and had referred to it as “Bio-mess.”  He said the company is not only posing an environmental threat to the community, but is putting lives in danger.

Austyn’s to open within a month

By Teresa Moore and Mark Shaffer, The Ironton Tribune, July 21, 2007

 

Austyn’s, a new restaurant in the historic Norfolk and Western Depot building in downtown Ironton, will be opening in the next few weeks.

Leaders have plan for downtown revitalization

By Teresa Moore, The Ironton Tribune, August 11, 2007

 

Just a little more than three months ago, the city of Ironton unveiled a plan to revitalize the city by focusing on its strengths first within the business district, and then creating new life around that. Those in charge of the project have been busy applying for numerous grants and seeking support from the community.