STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Local officials are moving forward with plans to assess and clean up a longtime tire shop property in Steubenville after concerns were raised about potential environmental and public health hazards.
Johnny’s Tire Mart, located on North Court Street, has drawn attention because of deteriorating conditions at the site, including a large accumulation of used tires and numerous oil-filled drums.
Jefferson County Health Commissioner Andrew Henry said officials have spent several years working to bring the property into compliance and are now coordinating with other agencies to move the cleanup effort forward.
The Jefferson County Port Authority is partnering with the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program to conduct environmental assessments and remove drums and other materials from the property.
Once the site has been evaluated, officials plan to transfer the property through the Jefferson County Land Bank before ultimately placing it under the Port Authority’s ownership for future commercial redevelopment.
Henry said the project is intended to address both environmental concerns and improve the appearance of one of Steubenville’s busiest corridors.
Officials say they are particularly concerned about the potential risks associated with the oil drums and the decades-long accumulation of used tires at the property.
The cleanup and assessment process is expected to help determine the property’s long-term redevelopment potential while improving public health and safety along the Route 7 corridor.
