LISBON – The initial findings of a study on the business conditions in Columbiana County’s walkable downtowns recently were released.
During the Columbiana County Port Authority Board of Directors meeting Sept. 23 at the Global Investment Hub in Leetonia, Brittany Smith, assistant executive director of the port authority, reported on the first phase of the study being conducted by Town Center Associates.
The report highlighted the business conditions of the seven walkable downtowns in the county, including what types of businesses were located in each town and how many vacancies existed.
The study showed 592 units across the downtowns, with 124 vacant. Of those vacancies, only six are being advertised for sale, with two up for lease, according to Smith.
A business conditions workshop with the seven communities will be held Oct. 30 at the port authority’s offices in Lisbon to discuss the findings. Each community had the opportunity to hear from Town Center Associates about trends across the country.
Each community was also given access to a community-specific website to help advertise its available properties and monitor its downtown conditions.
“We are excited to bring our communities together and hear more about the findings,” Smith says.
She updated the board on the status of a contract with Woolpert Inc. to evaluate options for the proposed Greenway Trail extension, connecting Lisbon to East Liverpool.
Preliminary findings of the study noted the challenges of finding a feasible route among the steep slopes, narrow roads and a mix of rural and semi-urban environments.
The biggest challenge, however, is Little Beaver Creek’s designation as a wild and scenic river, which restricts construction and development.
Although the final study has not been received, Smith says the port authority would expect the Columbiana County Park District to work closely with Woolpert Inc.