Optimistic About Downtown Development Project

The Muskingum County Convention Facilities Authority says it remains cautiously optimistic about the future of a downtown development project, originally referred to as Potter’s Alley.

Executive Director, Vicki King, met with the Zanesville Community Improvement Corporation Board this afternoon to give members an update.

"What it’s going to entail is some retail, some mixed use development with a focus on entertainment and convention property, " says King.

The key concern surrounding the project though is the economy.

"That’s what we have to maintain our focus on-laying out a plan but also remaining flexible enough to adjust our plan as necessary because of financing, " says King.

King says phase one has been going well. The convention facilities authority has researched 100 different facilities that match Zanesville’s demographic, and she says the results have been positive.

She also told the board that she expects to be nearing the end of the next phase of the project within the next 30 to 60 days, which deals with property acquisition.