Brewery on track for Gateway Center

A popular breakfast chain may break ground in downtown Ironton, according to Dr. Bill Dingus, Lawrence Economic Development Corporation executive director and member of the Lawrence County Port Authority.

Dingus said a Tudor’s Biscuit World may be built on South Second Street near the gun shop. Dingus was on hand at Thursday’s Ironton City Council meeting to talk to council and give updates on that and other projects in Ironton coming up in the near future.

“Property was purchased there about six months ago at auction,” Dingus told council. “Plans are on board for construction in the gun shop area.”

There is no time table set for the project yet.

The next phase of the Gateway project involving Cleveland-based brewery and restaurant Brew Kettle moving into the Armory building is still on track.

“We’re hoping we don’t hit any snags with it, but it looks good to go,” Dingus said. “It would be a wonderful thing for Ironton.”

In December there was a mandatory public hearing on the application to bring federal funding for the project.

Dingus told council that recently he and Ralph Kline, assistant executive director of the Ironton-Lawrence County Community Action Organization, visited the Brew Kettle’s main location in Strongsville to tour the brewing facility, sample the food and talk to the ownership group of three.

“They’re a tremendous community partner, and will be involved in events and things going on in the city,” Dingus said. “It would create about 70 jobs as well as hospitality.”

One of the things Dingus pointed out to council was that not only does Brew Kettle make its own beer, but it provides groups or individuals the opportunity to come in and use their facility to brew their own batches of beer. The Brew Kettle then does everything to complete the process, including bottling and designing the label. They also do marketing for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“At the Strongsville location, the wait list to get in and make beer was up to 45 days,” Dingus said. “It would bring in people from all over the Tri-State. It will also be very good for the hotel.”

Dingus said that the project is looking very likely and he’s hopeful construction can begin by late summer.

The area considered downtown Ironton is being expanded, Dingus also told council.

“We’re expanding the downtown footprint,” he said. “It used to be considered from Railroad Street until just passed the Ro-Na. We now view downtown going about a block past Glockner, passed where the new bridge is.”

He cited Marco’s pizza moving into half of the old AEP building in December as part of the effort to grow the downtown area.

Dingus discussed plans for quarter of a million dollar condos to be built on the riverfront down from the floodwall.

“There’s a developer who’s expressed interest in putting condos in that area,” Dingus said. “These would be good for Ironton. We need to focus on businesses, but at the same time try to bring the property values up.”

The last thing Dingus talked to council about was allowing land to the Friends of Ironton for Rally on the River camping.

“They were asking for 14 acres on the south end of Ironton on the Ironton Iron property to turn into recreational land to camp for the rally,” Dingus said. “We need to help the Friends of Ironton continue to grow, develop and nurture new events for Ironton.”

Also at council

Ironton Mayor Katrina Keith reminded council that Ironton will have its cleanup day Saturday, May 7, and is partnering with Dan Palmer and the Lawrence-Scioto Solid Waste Management District.

She also said America in Bloom, the umbrella to Ironton in Bloom, is going to be in town June 21-22 to critique and give its opinion on the appearance of downtown Ironton since the last time it was here in 2010.

Regarding the riverfront project, Keith said the next phase is awaiting approval from the Corps of Engineers and some supplies have already been delivered to the riverfront.

She reminded council about the Drug Take Back Saturday, put on by the solid waste management district and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, at Ironton Hills Plaza.

Rick Jansen, president of Friends of Ironton, spoke to council about the need for recreational space for Rally on the River.

Bob Cleary made a motion with Waldo seconding that the Ironton Council approve the lease the Port Authority wants to make with the Friends of Ironton for the acreage. All but Dave Frazer voted yes to pass.

Cleary made a motion not to ask for a hearing about a liquor license for American Legion Post 433 with Chuck O’Leary seconding. All but Waldo, who abstained, voted yes to pass.