STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County commissioners gave the Friendship Park board the go-ahead Thursday to demolish a tower at the old dragstrip property deemed at risk of caving in.

Board members said the structure is a liability risk, reporting it is “fallen into a state of serious disrepair.”

“Given the extent of the deterioration, rehabilitation is not a viable or prudent option,” they wrote. “Demolition is, in our assessment, the most responsible course of action.”

Board member Roger Hilty told commissioners they are “just trying to tie up some loose ends with liability.”

“That building (does not) meet any codes,” he said. “There are rat holes all over the place, the thing going to eventually (get) blown over, I’m surprised it hasn’t already. If anything else goes in out there you’re going to have to do it by code.”

The tower is virtually all that is left of the old dragstrip, vacated at the close of 2025 after the board refused to renew the lease despite an intense pressure campaign at meetings and on social media. He said online comments have “kicked up a little bit again” and they have “had a couple burnouts out there.”

Hilty said they have gathered license plate information from some vehicles believed involved and report they are considering putting up concrete blocks to keep vehicles out.

Board members also requested $100,000 from the county’s recreation fund to “assist in meeting (our) annual operating budget for 2026.”

Hilty said the request, first raised during a January budget meeting, would “allow the district to meet…core obligations” and continue serving recreational needs of county residents “in a responsible and sustainable manner.”

“Equally important, this funding will help the district build upon the meaningful progress that has been made in recent years to enhance Friendship Park as a true regional destination for outdoor recreation,” board members said. “Continued financial support make it possible to sustain this momentum and pursue further development that will benefit the county for years to come.”

“We are always working at the end of the year with a close margin,” Hilty said. “We just want to put this before you and, hopefully, get to where we really need to be with things at the park.”

Commissioner Jake Kleineke pointed out they are less than two weeks from deciding how they will allocate the county’s recreation funding, typically used to assist recreation projects throughout Jefferson County.

“I think I’d like to wait just until they are due, which is very soon,” Commissioner Eric Timmons said. “I don’t think it is an unreasonable ask to see what everybody is asking and then make that final determination.”

Commissioner Jake Kleineke agreed, saying, “We were all there yesterday, we saw all the (work) going on,” he said. “In my opinion, right now, is give us time for all of our requests to come in.”

“I know you would rather have a check going out the door that is always better, or cash,” Commissioner Tony Morelli commiserated. “You do not have that but listen, we all know what you are doing out there and that it takes money.”

In other matters, commissioners:

— Approved a contract between the Community Action Council and Jobs & Family Services for the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program.

— Referred bids for the slip repair project on County Road 43 to the county engineer for a recommendation. Estimated cost of the project is $130,366.

— Signed an agreement with the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation covering up to $8,675 as the state’s share of a $173,500 taxiway extension. Federal funds will cover the remaining $164,825 of the project cost.

— Signed off on the Regional Airport Authority’s request for a five percent pay raise for Airport Manager Brian Thaxton.

— Executed a partnership agreement with the city of Toronto for the 2026 Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program (CHIP) grant application and also hosted the first of two required public hearings on it. The county’s Regional Planning Commission, in partnership with the city of Toronto, is seeking $700,000, the maximum available. The county is budgeted for $400,000 and the city for the remainder. The second public hearing will be May 21 and the application is due June 24.

— Approved a letter of support for the Port Authority’s AEP Local Economic Development Advancement Program grant application.