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Social Security, KFC eyeing move out of downtown Ironton
Developer looking to annex 15 acres from Upper Township for project retail
Published Wednesday, October 21, 2009
IRONTON — Under the clock, Ironton City Council tentatively backed a proposal that would provide sewer access to nearly 15 acres of land city officials, Realtors and developers hope to annex from Upper Township for possible commercial development.
The support, drafted in haste in the form of a hand-written letter at a special Tuesday session, backs the first stage of a process that could witness several businesses vacating downtown Ironton and moving into new homes on land across from the Ironton Hills Plaza on State Route 93.
At issue is a proposal by Wheelersburg developer John W. Mullins of Mullins Construction to purchase between 12 to 15 acres of land in the Coryville area and develop the property for commercial business use. The acreage is currently scattered with residential homes, which Mullins said his company already has unanimous consent by the property owners to sell for development.
“We want to go where the new growth is going to be in Ironton,” Mullins said.
Mullins told council that should the city be able to annex the land and grant sewer access, he already has commitments with both the Social Security Administration and fast-food giant KFC to move out of their downtown locations and up to his property.
Debbie Dickens of Ironton-based M&M Realty told council that government officials representing the Social Security Administration had been looking for a new location within Ironton city limits since May as they were having “issues with the current management of the property.”
As for KFC, Mullins said new corporate rules have made its current South Second Street home unfit for expansion and its current business model and would have to be in a new home by June 2010.
Mullins added that CVS Pharmacy — another downtown tenant, with a store at Ironton Hills, — also showed an interest in moving across State Route 93 to the property, but are locked into a five-year lease on its current home.
However, for the SSA move to happen, the General Services Administration — the federal agency responsible for transportation and office space for federal employees — needed a “letter of support” from the city by 5 p.m. Thursday backing possible annexation and a commitment to extend city sewer lines to the property.
After nearly an hour of discussion, council gave Dickens her letter, but the former Ironton city councilwoman only got half of what she asked for.
Council would not make a full commitment to install and extend sewer lines to the property should it become annexed.
Council said pricing of such an installation and possible private property right-of-way issues were concerns.
City engineering consultant Doug Cade of E.L. Robinson said early estimates for running 900 feet of sewer lines from Ninth Street under U.S. 52 and up to the property could cost $300,000.
In its “letter of support” the city stopped short of making a full commitment to install sewers instead saying they would provide access to their sewer network.
Dickens told council that the need to annex the land is based on current needs.
“Ironton really has limited land for development,” Dickens explained while saying downtown is not the fit many businesses are looking for.
How the city would respond by allowing businesses to re-locate out of downtown while at the same time promoting downtown redevelopment tied into the rehabilitation of Memorial Hall and the Ro-Na Theater historic structures was a concern to many on council.
“Are we creating more of a ghost town effect with this,” asked Councilman Kevin Waldo.
Dickens offered this solution.
“We hope the success of this development could trickle down towards downtown.”
Council President Bob Cleary said any type of annexation would be difficult and with residential homes a large part of the annexation he could see Upper Township Trustees resisting such a move.
However Councilman Leo Johnson suggested the city totally bypass Upper Township and go straight to the Lawrence County Commissioners for approval based on recently passed laws from the Ohio Revised Code that allows single property owners the opportunity to annex themselves into the city.
Asked what new businesses the proposed commercial development could bring in, Mullins said he is in discussions with “three or four” people who have showed an interest including the possibility of a hotel or a Dairy Queen franchise, owned by Mullins brother’s step-son.
Mullins said his partner on the project, Jeff Albrecht of Portsmouth is currently the owner of several Ramada Inns that have shown an interest in coming to Ironton.
Also mentioned was a Holiday Inn Express, however concerns whether Ironton can support an 80-100 room hotel have been listed as potential stumbling block.
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Comments
Posted by osu (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't there already a CVS Pharmacy in the Hills Shopping Plaza?
Posted by SomeGuyOnLaneStreet (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You can never have enough drug stores. The more we have the easier it is to Doctor shop and drop off multiple prescriptions to various locations. As for KFC...I love KFC! Bartrams chicken has nothing on KFC and Pick'n Save has the worst chicken in town.
Posted by Digi (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ironton already is a ghost town Waldo! Wake up! Sounds like a great move for the county! Keep it county and out of the city control!!!
Posted by john_mushenhouse (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I used to like the taters at KFC but the gravy taste like paste now. The KFC at Portsmouth was better once upon a time.
Posted by RabidTiger (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As was said over 5 years ago, why dosent the City Of Ironton bulldoze the delapadated FIRE TRAPS in the city
and STOP WASTING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS that the
city can ill=afford to continue wasting... IT WOULD BE
C-H-E-A-P-E-R.... CHEAPER BY thousands of dollars to tear
these rat an rodent traps down and have a 'CLEAN SLATE'
with which to build according to a NEW TENANTS request...
NEW AND MODERN STRUCTURES... AND A PARKING FACILITY
that could go in once the bridge is torn down... and
BUILD NEW... BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE...FIRST... and like
the movie... ''(((THEY WILL COME)))''....
With a new area in the downtown area a comfortable sized
Hotel can be built as a draw for new business's in Ironton.
A simiple 2-4 story 50-100 room max hotel with facilities for small conventions etc...
THINK SMALL....AND GO FOR IT ALL...!!!
Posted by Eric_Stratton (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
No hotel would want to build in down town. Why? Hotel chains want their franchises built near highways for traffic to see as they pass-by not just a sign pointing a mile in town. That's why the area close to the 52 and 93 interchange is always discussed.
Posted by Eric_Stratton (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BTW, kudos to John Mullins for trying to bring something better to the City of Ironton.
Posted by foogi (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 2:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Let me see if I understand this. KFC and the Social Security Office are going to relocate to where the "new growth" will be. Mr. Mullins,moving existing business's from one location to another is not GROWTH! Get your partner and your brothers step son to committ to this;then come back and talk.
Posted by jennysman (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lets not freak out here thats less than 1 mile away and maybe it will make the taters taste better john
Posted by outoftowner (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 4:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
foogi, it would be considered growth. It would be an improvement on what we have both in tax revenues and customer service. KFC is going to go somewhere(bridge moving), deal with it. We do not want to loose them. Debby Dickens is a forward thinking person. That area is ripe for this type of a deal.
Posted by bear (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 4:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If KFC would move out near US 52, they will probably draw more customers and a clean, new building couldn't hurt.
The current building has been there for a very long time and does not look nearly as clean, appealing and inviting as other locations of KFC.
With increased customers, would create a need for an increase in the food and the frequency in which would be made and served, and would result in the food being fresher and tastier, since it wouldn't be sitting around for who knows how long. So Yes, jennysman, the move just might make the "taters" taste better!
Posted by flo (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 4:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would the new developement not pay for the sewers? They are the ones that will benefit from the money. The city and county are almost broke as it is so why would they consider spending $300,000 more? There is plenty of space that can be used downtown, and up 3rd street that already had sewer access. Why not use what is available and stop spending what is not available. If we keep moving out of downtown the business owners will not be able to keep their shops open because there will be no through traffic.
Posted by pinkpearl6886 (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
There will always be traffic in town how else can you get to the Russell Bridge?
Posted by summerrain (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 8:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, this is real progress for the city - three more vacant
buildings downtown
Posted by nottellin (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Who is the dumba^^ who thinks it's a good idea to move businesses OUT of downtown????
I wonder whose family owns that land....
Posted by TeacherinOhio (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 10:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We need growth in Ironton. We need to open our arms wide to it and quit arguing. I hope this happens. For most communities, growth happens around major highways. We have one and we don't utilize it properly. I live near the intersection at Ohio University. I would much rather drive down the highway to get to a restaurant or business than going through street after street in Ironton. We need to invest in business near the highway. This seems like a no brainer to me.
Posted by mcmanor (anonymous) on October 21, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The mentality of saving downtown Ironton and keeping shops alive, hasn't been that great of a plan so far. A new approach sounds like a great idea. Hey, did somebody mention Dairy Queen?
Posted by lifesaver (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
these places are going to relocate no matter what, so either ironton helps keep them in town or they will move out of town, coal grove is growing, or even the burlington area, ironton needs to give alittle and stop playing with these buildings that should have been tore down years ago, they could have paided for the sewer project had they not wasted it on these buildings.
Posted by hustlinhillbilly (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 8:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If the city annexes the properties, then it becomes part of the city, so the business would still be paying city taxes. Just changing locations within the city. It also means that the city will be responsible for Law Enforcement and other services.
Posted by 1spike (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
My understanding is that they want to just "annex" to the sewer system. I had no idea that Ironton is not receiving the taxes from those businesses (Property & Income)! Typical Lawrence County "politics" @ work. I would also like to know where M&M is getting her information. I personally contacted the appropriate GSA/SSA officials and they say they don't know of ANY RELEASE OF INFORMATION concerning current owner. I also don't think people know that the owners of the building pay TRIPLE the property taxes ($15,000 annually) just for renting to them. There is alot of "true facts" that the supporters don't want the public to know! The information is public and needs to make the public aware of it. Mullins/Albrecht are the owners, developers of the strip in Wheelersburg, who benefits the most?
Posted by Localgal (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 11:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ironton would be wise to look at the way other towns have developed.... Nationally known food chains, hotels, close to highway exits; government and social service agencies and entertainment/local restaurants centrally located in town for use by citizens. There is quite a bit of stress on the current sewage system as it is antiquated. Whether or not this should be a factor, should be at least considered by Council.
Making the downtown more citizen friendly and attracting those passing by on the highway with well known franchises and a small hotel are both important for long term growth. The land around OSU is prime for commercial and retail development including a small hotel to help the University sponsor events and such. Developing a strategic plan for the future including commercial development as well as relocation; marketing strategies; funding/grants; and assessing citizen needs should all be part of this vision....without a plan, towns such as Ironton become vulnerable to "sounds like a good deal" offers. What is proposed may/maynot be helpful, but without a plan and good research backing it up, it is not known until it is built and then it is too late.
Posted by cashmere (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Neo is right, we have to expand. The river and train tracks stop us on that side, can't do it there.
City's job is provide services. To do that, they have to have taxes. Businesses pay taxes. Providing infrastructure to attract those businesses is part of the city's responsibilities.
And again, if we can get a hotel, do it!
Posted by Country (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not sure exactly where this would be located but they need to think of the run off water if anything is down below them when hard rains come. Ironton can not handle more run off water in the sewage/drainage system.
How can the Social Security say they want on a development that hasn't even purchased the property?
Posted by swimmingupstream (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now all we need is the $10 million or so dollars it would take to pull this off. Piece of cake: $10 million divided by 5,000 water meters equals.......
Posted by bklibrary (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 8:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Irontons bigget problem is its property owners of the old business buildings such as the Wilson building when I drive by it I see nothing but a loaded down with asbestos web compound of a structure. But the County could not wait to tear down the hospital a hell of a lot better structure than that eye sore on third street.
Posted by turbo (anonymous) on October 22, 2009 at 9:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wonder how much is paid on real estate taxes on the Wilson building? It must be used for something with all the trucks parked inside the fence. They keep a sign on the front for lease or rent.
Posted by LiVE (anonymous) on October 24, 2009 at 9:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As a person who lives in Upper Twp and works at the Ironton Plaza, I'm glad to see the expansion, although, I think it should be with trying to attract new business. I would love to see a hotel and something else in the building next to BWWs. Also, as far as KFC, I personally think they should close the location all together. The store is nasty and I wouldn't eat there if Waldo paid for it. Let's replace Taco Bell too, slowest drive thru I've ever seen. If you all want to see our town get better, spend your money here.
Posted by I_town_resident (anonymous) on October 25, 2009 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe add in a hospital somewhere would be nice(just a thought)
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