Ironton City Council Thursday evening suspended the rules requiring three reading and adopted an ordinance to hire the Cincinnati-based KZF Design, Inc., to provide engineering services to the Ironton Riverfront Development and Trails project. The work will be paid for with a $100,649 Natureworks grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The city is in the process of developing a stretch of land between the floodwall and the Ohio River for use as both green space and commercial development. The first phase of the project, known as brownfield cleanup, is nearly complete. The cleanup was necessary because of some of the land being developed was once used for industry.

KZF will design a bicycle trail extending from the riverfront some 1,200 feet along the length of the floodwall.

Ironton Economic Development Director Bill Dickens said the riverfront is a natural attraction for people.

“I guarantee you, you will not find a better view of the Ohio River anywhere along the river than this one,” Dickens said.

Dickens said the work to develop the riverfront area is “on schedule and has progressed nicely.”

Allard Construction of South Webster is performing the remediation.

While the initial plans called for hiking and biking trails and picnic areas, more recent plans also include retail shops, restaurants and possibly even apartments.