Though locals and outsiders alike are currently vying for one historic Ironton landmark, the dust could settle by the middle of April, according to the building’s current lease holder.

The former Depot building, which last served as the Italian eatery Manzetti’s Restaurant, has sat idle for more than five years. In that time, several proposals have been discussed for the property, most recently, Continuum Care, a pharmaceutical business that looked at the building in 2004.

The building, which will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2007, has not only served as a restaurant and train station, but has seen visits from at least five U.S. presidents. It is one of only 13 Lawrence County structures listed with the National Register of Historical Places.

Dr. Bill Dingus, executive director of the Greater Lawrence County Area Chamber of Commerce and Lawrence Economic Development Corporation, said that since the Continuum deal disintegrated, there have been several parties interested in the property.

The most recent prospective tenant is attorney Kevin J. Waldo, who, along with partner Steve Bartrum, has shown an interest in acquiring the building, which is owned by the city of Ironton. Currently, the building is being leased by the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.

Waldo said that he didn’t feel the efforts to obtain the building were gaining much traction with the chamber.

“It’s come our attention that The Depot restaurant has become available, but it’s not available to us,” Waldo said. “I don’t know how else to say it. I guess they’ve got somebody who’s interested in it from out of town.”

Dingus said that he had already been in discussions with two of the groups interested in the building for months before Waldo had begun working to secure the building.

“We’d have been very pleased to have Kevin,” Dingus said. “Had he called earlier, he would have been our top, and only consideration. But the reality is that you go out and you recruit, and when you start working with someone you have a commitment to give them an opportunity to get everything put together.”

Dingus said it’s stipulated that a restaurant be placed in the building. Even when Continuum looked at the property, they would have had to place a small one on the premises. But with the closure of nearby eatery C.R. Thomas’, Dingus said Ironton was ready for a new full-scale restaurant.

“Ironton has a lot to offer. Today we’re a little bit short on food businesses, the same with a motel,” Dingus said. “We believe (the city) could probably support three more restaurants.”

The LEDC executive director said that although he couldn’t reveal the groups that had looked at the building, he hoped to be able to announce a new Depot tenant by the middle of April.