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STEUBENVILLE - The city has obtained state and federal funding and will build an observation deck at the site of the Fort Steuben Bridge.

Mayor Domenick Mucci said Tuesday he already negotiated a $50,000 settlement from the Ohio Department of Transportation for any damages to the city marina when the 80-year-old bridge is demolished later this year.

"We were able to have that money put into an escrow account that allowed us to leverage those funds for an additional $200,000 in funding from the Federal Highway Administration," announced Mucci.

He noted the observation deck plans "will help bring more interest to the marina area as well as the riverfront property."

According to Mike Paprocki, transportation director of the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission, "conceptual plans call for saving part of the pier closest to the Ohio shore. We will have a walkway 13-feet wide and 49-feet long from the boat roadway to the pier that will create an observation deck.

"We plan on having 20 parking stalls near the entrance to the walkway. This will allow pedestrians to walk out on the observation deck and feel like they are out in the river," said Paprocki.

"This is actually an extremely unique opportunity. I don't know of any other site like this in the area," added Paprocki.

In other matters, Royal Mayo, president of the Steubenville Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, learned a compliance team of local, state and federal officials will be established to ensure minority employees are hired during the $7.5 million rehabilitation of Washington Street in 2010.

Mayo also told City Council members he has been trying to donate new weight training equipment from the Ohio NAACP to the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, "but I want the weightroom to be free to the public. I have been talking about this for a year and I can't get an answer."

Recreation Director Dwan Johnson said today the parks and recreation board asked Mayo for a written proposal when he first proposed the equipment donation.

"I am still waiting for a written proposal from Mr. Mayo that I can take to the recreation board for review," Johnson said.

Council also heard from William C. Watson and Charlene Mayo, who questioned the removal of traffic lights.

"The light at Lawson Avenue and State Street was replaced with stop signs, and as a resident of that area I had no opportunity for input. I am afraid for my life when I cross that intersection," said Watson.

Charlene Mayo said she had the same concerns about the new four-way stop at North Seventh and North streets.

During the business portion of the council meeting, the city's non-union employees were approved for a 3 percent pay raise to mirror contractual pay raises given to the police, firefighters and non-uniform employees during their current wage agreement.

An ordinance also was approved designating City Engineer Michael Dolak as the city's representative to the District 14 Ohio Public Works Commission Integrating Committee.

The ordinance will mean Dolak will be reappointed to the position, and Urban Projects Director Chris Petrossi will replace Street and Sanitation Superintendent Joe DeSantis as the alternate member.

Council heard a second reading at the regular meeting Tuesday for three ordinances vacating portions of city streets to Franciscan University of Steubenville and a fourth ordinance accepting the right of way on Franklin Avenue to create cul-de-sacs on Franklin Avenue after the street is vacated.

Members also heard a second reading for a zoning change that will allow the Steubenville City School District to construct a new multi-purpose building on North Third Street.

Third Ward Councilman Greg Metcalf noted council's pride committee will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday to discuss recycling in the city.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)