Ohio County Development Authority Moves To Give The Highlands An Updated Look
Photo by Joselyn King The Highlands development is on its way to getting a consistent and distinctive new look.
Ohio County Development Authority members Thursday night gave their approval to begin a project with the Bohler landscaping firm of Pittsburgh. Under the plan, a new look for The Highlands will be designed over five phases and Bohler will be paid a total of $32,000 for the work.
"I thought that was a pretty decent price for what they will be going through," said Commissioner Zach Abraham. "I assume it will be a three- to six-month endeavor.
"It kind of takes us to the next step of execution to what we want to do."
A committee will be formed to determine what needs to be changed at The HIghlands, and these ideas will be prioritized, according to Abraham.
The purpose of the design will be to create a visual identity for The Highlands, added County Administrator Randy Russell. Signage along the bridge over Interstate 70 is likely to be near the top of the priority list.
Paint color, lighting, and use of unused space also are expected to be considered.
In other matters, Harvey Greenidge, general manager of The Highlands Sports Complex, provided a financial update on operations at the facility.
He said use of the sports complex "is in full swing" at this time, as tournaments are keeping the facility packed on weekends. The time of January through June will be the high revenue time for the sports complex, he said.
Greenidge acknowledged the facility was a little bit behind on expected revenue, but that he believed revenue would grow during a full tournament season.
He said Bob Robinson Chevrolet is no longer interested in buying the naming rights to The Highlands Sports Complex, but is interested in being a sponsor.
But Greenidge said he may have to limit the number of sponsors with signage in the facility as it could become a distraction and hurt the look of the complex.
The OCDA will next meet at 6 p.m. on April 14 at The Highlands Events Center.