Ironton officials and a South Point developer will have a month to work out differences on plans that could bring a riverfront restaurant back to the city.

Tri-State Realty sued the City of Ironton claiming city leaders failed to honor a lease agreement that would allow the former Dockside Bar and Grill property to be developed into a new venue.

In a pretrial discussion in Lawrence County Common Pleas Court Wednesday, all agreed to allow both parties to try to resolve the issue before it goes to court.

"We agreed to put a hold on the start date for the restaurant," said Ironton attorney Craig Allen, who is representing Tri-State Realty. "We will try to reach an agreement between ourselves on or before the Jan. 13 city council date."

Two of the major problems were deadlines that are included within the contract. One called for the restaurant to be up and running this week and another for a boat dock to be operation by June 2005. Neither is feasible considering the entrance is under construction and no one can access the property, Allen said.

One of his client's biggest concerns was that he would be in violation of the lease agreement if the terms were not met, Allen said.

If an agreement can not be reached by Jan. 13, the judge will set another court date.

TSR filed the suit against the city last week and is seeking an amount in excess of $25,000 plus attorney fees, court costs and other relief from the city for its failure to allow TSR the use of riverfront property.

The company bought the lease for the 73,111 square foot property from the former property managers in September. Last month, the Ironton City Council amended the lease to include language that would define "restaurant" as it is within the Ohio law and authorized the mayor to enter into a contract.

Though the case is still pending, Mayor John Elam remained optimistic that something positive will come out of this. Elam adamantly supports the concept of adding to the city's dining options at this location.

"A restaurant has been successful there in the past. We feel that it is a desirable location," he said. "Certainly with the floodwall improvements along Center Street, it will only make the restaurant more accessible.

"We appreciate the investment into Ironton and look forward to more positive things happening."