Ironton City Council Public Utilities Committee will ask residents how they feel about the possible sale of some city property.

Wednesday, August 25, 1999

Ironton City Council Public Utilities Committee will ask residents how they feel about the possible sale of some city property.

A date has not yet been set for the meeting, during which committee members will hear public opinion on the pending sale, which would involve land formerly intended for city park and recreation.

"The public utilities committee agreed with the finance committee in that we wanted a public hearing and would proceed with any decision-making from there," said Jesse Roberts, council chairman and public utilities committee member. "The lots are maintained by the city, as far as cutting grass and general maintenance, but the property is not utilized that often."

Although the residents’ opinions are an integral part of the process, committee members do not anticipate a large negative response to the proposed sale, simply because the land is unused.

"There is a basketball court on one of the lots on McPherson Street, but it is evident it does not receive much use at all. There is grass growing on the court," Roberts said. "In today’s society, with a basketball court at every other home, it’s just not utilized that often."

Larger, well-lit parks in the city are far more widely used and enjoyed by Ironton residents, he added.

"These lots aren’t parks like Beachwood, Ninth and Madison, Etna Street and the like," Roberts said. "All of those parks are much larger and are very well-maintained. They are well-kept and have lights and are provided for because they are heavily used. "

The six lots on McPherson Street could also be joined by a seventh lot on Orchard Street before the transactions are actually made, Roberts added.

In other business, committee members:

–  Considered the vacation of half of Rome Alley, directly behind Park Avenue Apartments (formerly known as the Marting Hotel). The half-alley should be closed to traffic, committee members said, but will remain wide enough for pedestrians and emergency vehicles.

Committee members have received input from Park Avenue Partnership Ltd. representatives and several council members are attempting to contact local businesses that would be somewhat indirectly affected by the change, Roberts said.

– Addressed the potential problems concerning possible changes to the procedures of notifying users when the potential for water meter removal exists.