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RESOLUTION — Councilman Willie Paul presents Steubenville Big Red Coach Reno Saccoccia with a resolution recognizing his lifetime achievements, including his recent selection to the National High School Football Hall of Fame. — Linda Harris
STEUBENVILLE — City Council made it clear Tuesday it’s all in on the possibility that the Market Street Bridge could be rebuilt with federal grant dollars.
Council has long been concerned that the span’s days would be numbered once the new Brilliant-to-Wellsburg bridge across the Ohio River was completed, particularly since Market Street Bridge is key to their plans to use it for a recreation trail leading into downtown Steubenville.
But earlier this week local planners reported federal funding is available for a bridge investment in all 50 states through the bipartisan infrastructure act. Projects costing $100 million or more are eligible for up to 50 percent funding.
The economic growth taking place in the Northern Panhandle — including Form Energy’s $750 million battery plant — has captured attention of West Virginia lawmakers, and its transportation department is submitting the Market Street bridge for funding.
“BHJ has been talking about how West Virginia is now elevating (the idea of) not just repairing but a complete new bridge across Market Street,” Councilman Mike Hernon said. “The grant has to be for over a $100 million project, so this is a big investment. They’re trying to move it up to the top of the list.”
Hernon said BHJ is seeking letters of support from both sides of the Ohio River, reminding council they’d previously submitted letters urging West Virginia just to keep the bridge open. Mayor Jerry Barilla and City Manager Jim Mavromatis said they’ve already got theirs supporting a rebuild ready to go.
Hernon said the funding would augment what they hope to get through Ohio’s Appalachian Community Grant program, for which they’ll also be solicitng letters of support.
He said it’s a chance for “substantial improvement, substantial investment (for) our community.”
Council voted 7-0 to “confirm (its) support” for West Virginia’s application for federal funding through the bridge investment program.
Council members Royal Mayo and Asantewa Anyabwile balked, however, at earmarking $5,000 for a Nutcracker Village sponsorship.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if we stepped up as a city and agreed to sponsor this?” Councilman Tracy McManamon had asked, pointing out signs crediting the city for its role would be posted at the free Polar Express kiddie ride and Children’s corner as well as a popular photo spot.
Anyabwile reminded them that they’d refused to give a North End resident $500 to fund Halloween activities for children there.
“You wouldn’t agree to give her $500, but (you’ll give them) $5,000 at the drop of a hat.”
“I donated to that, out of my own pocket,” Councilman Willie Paul told Anyabwile. “You want to (spend) $12,000 and clean up properties that aren’t ours. I think we need to do this sponsorship — it’s in our city, in our downtown.”
Mayo pointed out Steubenville Little League pays for the privilege of using city ball fields and the city has never made a donation to it, so he sunshined legislation that would earmark funds for the league.
“I would like to give them money,” he said. “Matter of fact, I want to sunshine legislation (earmarking funds) for them.”
Council celebrated the late Seaman 2nd Class Stanley Galaszewski, passing a resolution honoring his “ultimate sacrifice, courage, service and dedication to his country.”
Galaszewski died when Japanese bombers attacked the USS California at Pearl Harbor in 1941, but his remains weren’t identified until earlier this year. He was buried in Mount Calvary Cemtery earlier this month.
“It’s because of men like him that we have the freedoms we have today,” Paul said. “Finally, he’s come home to rest.”
Big Red football Coach Reno Saccoccia also was honored with a resolution recognizing his achievements over the past 40 years, including his recent selection to the National High School Football Hall of Fame.
“I’m honored to receive anything from the city I’ve grown up with and love as much as I do,” Saccoccia said. “I Just hope the next couple days, especially Friday, we represent the city with a lot of pride and passion.”
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