Ironton residents will have the opportunity to gather information and make their opinions known about two major city projects Thursday.

Wednesday, November 17, 1999

Ironton residents will have the opportunity to gather information and make their opinions known about two major city projects Thursday.

At a public informational meeting at 7 p.m. in the community room at the Ironton City Center, residents may come and ask questions about the North Second Street paving project and the impending sale of city property on Orchard and McPherson streets.

Discussion of the paving project, part of the largest such project in the city’s history, will cover the pros and cons of placing asphalt over the 75-year-old concrete segments of the street, Ironton Mayor Bob Cleary said.

"At first, we believed the best course of action to take would be to simply pave the street," Cleary said. "But some residents living in the areas that are currently concrete submitted a petition asking that the current street simply be repaired. We have money designated for that area, and we have researched both sides, so we want to provide the residents with all of the information and also give them an opportunity to provide input on the project."

The paving project includes other "on system" roads, which are designated by the state as alternate routes in the event that U.S. 52 would be impassible or unfit for travel, city engineer Joe McCallister said.

"The city did not designate the roads that could receive the grant money that will pay for the paving," Cleary explained. "But because we were able to secure this grant using our in-house engineering as well as some Empowerment Zone funds for matching dollars, we want to utilize the money in a way that is pleasing to the residents and that will benefit all the citizens of Ironton."

In addition to the paving project, city officials also will provide information and hear opinions about the sale of property on McPherson and Orchard streets, Cleary added.

"The lots will be sold in a sealed-bid auction for the purpose of building upscale houses on the properties," Cleary said. "This is an area that fits right in the R-1 zoning codes and we need the space."

Although the city has explored the option of selling the property, it is not a definite decision until Ironton City Council grants approval, Cleary added.

"I’m in favor of selling both parcels, but it is still council’s decision to sell it," he said. "We want to have the resident’s opinions in the matter as well."