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STEUBENVILLE — Jefferson County commissioners made it clear Thursday they’re excited at the potential for a spec building at the industrial park, particularly since prospects are already showing interest in the site.
But they also made it clear they want to start the process by choosing an architect to do a rendering and develop a cost estimate, nixing the idea of hiring a design-build firm.
In a design build, project owners select one person to oversee the design andconstruction phases of a job.
A draft resolution Port Authority Executive Director Robert Naylor gave commissioners to review Thursday had proposed issuing a call for price quotes for design-build services, and it didn’t take commissioners long to ask why.
“Maybe it’s just me,” Commissioner Tony Morelli said. “I want to see what it costs, a ballpark number, to build a spec building at the industrial park, so why would I want a design-build?”
Naylor pointed out the industrial park is county-owned, but the Port Authority board “would like your input so we can get this advertised and we can start moving toward costing it out, getting renderings, ideas and thoughts for the specs of the building.”
But Morelli and Commissioner Dave Maple said they’d been at the port authority board’s last meeting and came away with the impression its members also preferred to go with an architect at this stage.
“I believe that’s how we left the table,” Maple said, pointing out that getting an architect to start working on possible designs, ideas and costs would be “much simpler.”
He said design-build “is a more detailed request, with more specifics.”
“I’d like to get this project moving,” Maple said. “But I do think the whole design-build vs architect certainly needs revisited. I believe architect is more as the discussion played out and that the board and I were looking for. I believe the design-build, as you have it in here, is almost too detailed for the stage we’re in — we’re not ready to build yet.”
Commissioner Eric Timmons said they need to know if a spec building would make sense financially.
“We just want to see how much it will cost,” he said. “We feel the architect can get us that, then we can decide on next steps.”
Naylor said the draft suggested advertising for design-build services was “just to try and get a larger universe to look at it, use it to get (more) ideas.” He said adjustments can be made still.
“The main thing is getting this out so we can get a rendering, get a cost and move forward with it,” Naylor said. “If it means taking design-build out of it, so be it. I don’t think there’s any question about that.”
Maple said they “just want an architect to get moving on some renderings and some costs so we can start looking at financing and funding.”
“I’ve said it over and over again: There is not a lot of inventory of buildings for economic development, and we need to get moving on this, and this is a first step to getting there.”
Maple said he’d already had “conversations” with prospects, including one planning a site visit.
“There’s actually been a couple of different folks, but there’s one that has indicated they’re going to come in and take a look at trying to make that happen,” he said.
Commissioners also were updated on the status of their parking lot project at the corner of Fifth and Market streets.
Soil and Water Conservation District Project Manager Aaron Dodds brought commissioners brochures illustrating the “57 unique projects” and activities proposed in their 22 county Appalachian Community Grant target zone.
“Our budget’s right at $99.4 million,” Dodds said, pointing out 17 of the projects they’re seeking funding for are in Jefferson County.
“While we made this nice brochure with shiny pictures, it doesn’t get into the nitty gritty of each individual project, the case studies and sustainability because this Appalachian Community Grant is a is competitive grant.”
“But we’re really excited about this project, super-thrilled with it.” he said.
He told commissioners he’d revised his vision for the county’s parking lot project, moving the green space to the center of the property to better complement green space across the street at the Tower building.
Centering the green space would add eight more parking spaces to the lot, bringing the total to 76. There’d also be space for outdoor dining, a designated area for food truck parking, a tie-in with the Steubenville Streetscape project in the 14,550-square foot greenspace and would be planted with low maintenance, sustainable native plants and trees. There’d also be statues — he’s currently proposing the statues salute veterans of each war Americans have fought in and he said they could also create a crosswalk on Market street.
“I think centering it will tie it more into the tower (greenspace),” he said. “We could get a crosswalk from the atrium straight across and be on that.”
Afterward, commissioners voiced appreciation for Dodds’ efforts.
“The greenspace and parking lot are just the next phase of the county doing its part to help revitalize downtown Steubenville,” Morelli said. “I’m hoping that it is included in the (grant). Aaron Dodds has done a teriffic job preparing the application — let’s hope we are successful.”
Maple said Dodds managed to tie their parking lot project into other projects in JSWCD’s Appalachian Community Grant proposal, one of the state’s eligibility requirements.
“It’s just a nice win-win,” he said. “It will add to the beauty of downtown Steubenville and add to the parking for the Tower building.”
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