Citizens of Ironton, we have an opportunity to do something positive for Ironton.

We have watched as our city has dwindled in size. We have watched the businesses leave, never to return, but we can turn this around if everyone pitches in.

Our local government is working very hard to bring economic growth back. We have new businesses downtown, but we need more.

Pick the ugliest building downtown right now. The majority of people would tell you “The Old Ro-Na.” We want to change that.

Think about it, if we could restore the theater and attached shops, what would that do for our local economy? I can stand across the street from the Ro-Na and I can see the marquee lit up again with a theater production or a newly released movie.

I see a cafe’ where people can meet and have dinner or a snack before a show. I can see an art gallery where we can showcase our local artists, who are very talented.

We all can have a vision of a better downtown Ironton with places to shop and things to do. I think most of us would prefer to spend our money where we live, and recycle it back into our community, if given a choice.

Look what Pullman Square has done for downtown Huntington and what the Paramount has done for downtown Ashland. Marietta, Gallipolis and Jackson have all revitalized their downtowns by renovating and reopening their theaters.

It has been very successful for them. It can be for the City of Ironton. In a declining economy, it is hard for everyone to make ends meet, but if everyone helps a little, we can have something to be proud of.

We can say “We did this, everyone helped, whether it was donating items they no longer wanted, or money, or their time and expertise. We all helped. This is our theater and we are proud of ourselves.”

Please support the Ro-Na Restoration Project. Help us make this happen.

Cristianne Murphy

Tri-State Artistic Friends