You might be wondering what ever happened to the big plans for Portsmouth’s riverfront. After all, last year Ohio Governor Mike DeWine made a big announcement: the city would receive $34 million in grant funding to completely transform the area. That included:
- A brand-new amphitheater
- Upgrades to Alexandria Park
- Recreational paths along the Ohio River
The project promised to breathe new life into the riverfront and even raise hopes that River Days events could return to their traditional home by the water. But months later, the area still looks the same. So what’s the holdup?
We took that question to the Scioto County Commissioners during their Thursday meeting, even though they aren’t in charge of the project.
So… who is in charge?
According to Commissioner Scottie Powell, the Lawrence County Community Action Organization is leading the project for our region. They were the main group awarded the grant funds. The City of Portsmouth is also closely involved, and the County Commissioners say they’ll support the project however they can.
What’s the delay?
Powell explained that the main issue right now is permits—specifically, permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
“A lot of what we’re waiting on at this point is the Army Corps of Engineers permitting,” Powell said. “They are wanting to do the permit in totality for all the projects at one time.”
That means they’re not just approving things piece by piece, but instead trying to greenlight the entire project in one go, which takes time.
Wait—who is the Army Corps of Engineers, and why do they matter?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency under the Department of Defense. Despite the name, they’re not all about war—they’re one of the main agencies responsible for public works projects, especially anything involving waterways, flood control, and infrastructure. If you’re building near a river, they have to sign off.
They look at things like:
- Flood risk
- Environmental impact
- Wildlife concerns (like endangered bats—yes, really)
In fact, Powell mentioned a recent example: some trees were cut down at Alexandria Point before bats returned to the area. This had to be done early to avoid interfering with bat migration season, which is part of the environmental regulations the Corps oversees.
Is anything actually happening?
Even though it may not look like much is going on yet, Powell said there has been some behind-the-scenes movement. A main contractor has reportedly been lined up, and some preliminary work has been completed.
The key message? It’s moving forward, but slowly—and most of the hold-up is due to the permitting process with the Army Corps of Engineers.
So, for now, we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we see bulldozers or concert stages along the river. But the vision for a reimagined riverfront is still alive—and hopefully, one step closer to reality.
