U.S. CONGRESSMAN BILL JOHNSON Proudly Representing Eastern and Southeastern Ohio

WTOV
Published March 10, 2014

Congressman Bill Johnson made his way to Steubenville on Monday with several meetings on his agenda for the day.

He was slated to tour the Steubenville Grand Theater in the morning for an update on the restoration project, but traffic delayed his arrival.

Several city and local leaders were there for a progress report. And the congressman did dial in by phone.

“I think that there are bright days ahead,” Johnson said. “I’m optimistic.”

Scott Dressel, president of the Grand Theater restoration project, offered an update on the restoration. “Obviously (with) the front facade cleaning we did, and the lights are on now, we’ll talk about the asbestos abatement that was finished this last year, so the inside is now completely free of anything dangerous,” he said.

The cost to date is nearly $500,000, but there is still plenty of work to be done. Phase II is heating and work to the stage.

Dressel took Monday to make a pitch to the congressman in hopes of financial support. “We’re also in the middle of a request through the Ohio governor’s Capitol Bill to request about one-sixth of the funding of the theater, and hopefully over the course of the summer that will get approved, because that would really help move this forward,” Dressel said.

The congressman was receptive.

“I’m going to continue to talk to the governor and support the grant that’s been requested under the 2014 Capitol Bill, so I think there are good days ahead for the Grand Theater project, and that’s going to energize the city of Steubenville.”

While it may be another 15-20 years from being fully restored, Dressel said Monday’s meeting of the minds was no doubt, reassuring. While Monday was focused on seeking state funds, there is also a crowd funding effort underway to get public support.