A campground proposed by the American Legion post 433 in the Green Valley area of Ironton has some neighbors upset, though one member said it would have been for the good of the community.

The Legion has proposed the campground at the old boat marina off of North Second Street on Stormes Creek.

Councilman Frank Murphy, who is also member of the American Legion, said the organization had hopes of leasing the city-owned property and putting picnic tables, bathhouses and playground equipment for a permanent campground.

“This was going to be for the betterment of the community, to draw people in,” Murphy said. “It was an attempt to improve Ironton.”

Because of opposition to the project during a public hearing of the industrial and commercial committee of the Ironton City Council Tuesday, Murphy made a motion to let die a proposed ordinance relating to the project. The council has so far heard two readings of the ordinance, which would allow the city to advertise for a lease of the property not to exceed 99 years.

The Legion intended to lease the project once it was advertised, Murphy said.

The Legion recently had a one-month lease on the property to use it during Rally on the River. In expectation of acquiring the more permanent lease, the organization already put in about $2,000 and approximately 500 man-hours to clean up the site, Murphy said.

“We were led to believe that we were going to get that lease,” Murphy said.

Murphy declined to say who led the organization to believe it would get the lease.

Jane Griffith, a member of a neighborhood watch group, was one of the residents who spoke out at the meeting. Griffith said residents are concerned about loud music during live shows at the campground.

They are also concerned that motorcycles and 4-wheelers will deteriorate the earthen floodwall.

“I didn’t have anyone that I talked to that was for it, let’s put it that way,” Griffith said.

Griffith said the residents were also concerned about the campground being open all the time. They might be more willing to consider it were it only for special occasions, she said.

Murphy said no one would have been allowed to ride motorcycles or 4-wheelers on the floodwall. He never dreamed that people who be opposed to the campground, he said.

Because of the opposition, the organization plans to walk away from the site and consider other areas outside the city limits, Murphy said.

Mayor Rich Blankenship said in addition to those who came to the public hearing, he has received several phone calls from residents who are concerned about the campground.

“The bottom line is that citizens are opposed to it and I’m opposed to it as a fulltime campground,” Blankenship said, adding that he is concerned with the length of the lease and the fact that the site is in the middle of the city.

Even though the committee recommended letting the ordinance die, the council will likely hear the third reading of it at the next council meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. Oct. 14 in the Ironton City Center.

“It will be up to council to let it die or vote on it and it either passes or it don’t,” Blankenship said. “My personal opinion and the recommendation is to let it die on the table.”