STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – It was standing-room-only in Steubenville City Council chambers Tuesday night as residents and business owners raised concerns about the future of the Fort Steuben Mall after city inspectors found portions of the property unsafe.
An April inspection identified issues including broken glass, potholes, and possible mold odors. The city later posted warning signs at the mall saying it was “uninhabitable,” prompting complaints from tenants who said the notices were hurting business. One council member said customers have called store owners to ask if they are open and if it is safe to enter their stores.
City Manager Mike Johnson said the city granted mall owner Bill Johnson a 30-day extension until June 27 to provide a report and remediation plan. Fourth Ward Councilman Royal Mayo criticized the timeline and urged the city to provide clarity for longtime tenants and employees.
Mayo said businesses including salons, restaurants, and retailers have operated at the mall for decades and collectively employ nearly 100 people. He also suggested a possible temporary solution that would keep part of the mall open while other sections are addressed.
Mayo pointed out that if the city condemned and closed the mall, the building would deteriorate and that the city did not have the money to demolish it.
Council members said that mall owner Bill Johnson indicated that two possible investors are interested in purchasing the Fort Steuben Mall.
City manager Mike Johnson says the city plans to revisit the issue once the owner’s report is submitted. When pressed by the owner of The Ville restaurant — who said he needed to know whether to begin the lengthy process of relocating his business — the city manager offered little reassurance, saying he could not “predict the future.”
At the economic development committee meeting prior to the regular council meeting, officials from College of St. Joseph the Worker also presented plans aimed at making the area around the school’s Third Street campus more pedestrian friendly. College representatives and an engineer outlined proposed improvements including brick streetscaping, trees, and curb bump-outs, saying the college would cover all project costs.
However, a city official cautioned that partnering on the project could jeopardize future funding and traffic improvement plans being coordinated with the Ohio Department of Transportation, including efforts to remove traffic lights and make broader downtown traffic changes.
Council also voted to move meeting times on Tuesdays to 7 p.m. beginning June 2.
