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National Park Service to help Steubenville on proposed bike trail

STEUBENVILLE — The National Parks Service has agreed to provide the city assistance in assessing future opportunities and a decision on the feasibility of the city’s proposed Ohio Riverfront bike and walking trail.

Mayor Domenick Mucci announced the news during the Tuesday night City Council meeting and declared, “this is where the work starts. This is welcomed news.”

City Council agreed in June to join a public/private partnership to hire ATC Group Services for $10,000 to apply for two grants for the development of a bicycling and walking path along the Ohio River.

ATC Group Services will submit a grant application in November for a Land and Water Conservation grant.

“During this year I will work with the city to identify project managers, partners, the roles they might play, the information to be gathered and how to proceed. I will work with the project partners to determine the scope and details of the project, including existing conditions, potential challenges and opportunities and identify and engage stakeholders to gather information, gauge community support, consider other trail options and address concerns or questions,” wrote Andrea Irland, outdoor recreation planner for the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance.

Irland also said she will help city officials consider improvements and connections to local and regional parks, trails and historical and cultural resources for additional recreational opportunities.

“I will also identify funding sources, examples and resources for your information. We will convene a meeting to assess all information and make a determination about your next steps,” added Irland in her letter to Mucci.

Councilwoman at large Kimberly Hahn announced at a June City Council planning committee meeting that nine private citizens had agreed to pay $1,000 each and asked for a $1,000 contribution from the city to pay for the consulting services.

According to Bob Yoder of ATC Group Services, the bicycle and walking pathway will run from the city marina to the Historic Fort Steuben, “with links to the downtown business district.”

“Communities are doing very well with bike paths. A couple of decades ago we turned our back on the Ohio River because of the industrial use of the river. But communities are now coming back to the Ohio River,” remarked Yoder.

“We have talked to more than 100 people, including citizens, public officials, business owners, spiritual leaders and visitors to the city and put together a plan for the redevelopment of Steubenville,” said Chad Harrison of the consulting company based in Louisiana.

“We based our study on the city’s 2013 Comprehensive Plan and have invested tens of thousands of dollars and about a year into our study of potential revenue sources. We looked at 24 reports generated about development in Steubenville since 1959. We don’t want anymore studies. We can use these and move forward. We need to show people we have a plan they can invest in,” said Harrison.

In her letter to Mucci, Irland encouraged city leaders to consider several suggestions, including:

¯ Develop an annual plan in conjunction with the Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance that identifies specific roles and tasks for project partners and public involvement.

¯ Identify and commit time and resources along with other partners to match assistance.

¯ Provide copies of the final planning document and other project materials to the RTCA staff.

¯ Help identify on the ground results that have been achieved five years after technical assistance completed.

“Don’t expect this trail to be finished by spring. But I believe this can now become a reality.We now need to start documenting our in-kind services. I know our consultants will be tickled pink with this news,” Mucci said.

Hahn said she is hoping more community partners will become involved.

“The Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District is a great partner who is already on board with this. I have always said the marina is a great resource for our city and the future bike and walking trail,” said Mucci.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)

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