The Downtown Revitalization Group released their master plan to bring businesses to Steubenville.

Executive Director of Valley Ventures Lou Stein said they want to bring 30 to 40 businesses to the downtown area in the next five years.

They're concentrating on 12 blocks from Third to Sixth Streets and South to North Streets.

They want to transform the area into lifestyle center.

"They're popping up across the country," said Stein. "It's a place where people can live, work, be entertained, eat dinner and learn."

Phase one focuses on Market and Fourth Streets first.

It's considered the heart of downtown and there's already proof of the progress.

SoJo's Hot Dog House opened a week ago and business so far, is going really well.

Owner Shelli Ocheltree said, "It brought some life back to the city. People love walking up to the cart to get their food. They just keep on walking or strangers sit and talk. It kind of brought back a little of the old time."

SoJo's is one of about a dozen new businesses set to call downtown Steubenville home.

Stein said residents will also see old memories come to life again.

"We want to get the theater back open for live performances," he said.

Stein told NEWS9 the group is prepared to hear from naysayers, but he's hoping their hard work will soon silence the critics.

"It's not about what we say. It's about what we do. I want people to watch the progress that we make and all the activity that's going to be happening downtown," he said.

The following businesses are new downtown developments:

SoJo's Hot Dog House- 330 Market St. Opened in May.

Dee's Urban Fashion- 423 Market St. Opened in May.

BookMarx- 151 n. Fourth St. Will open in July.

Car City- 225 n. Third St. Opened in May.

New Community Center- 144 S. Fourth St. Opening date yet to be announced.

Capital Recovery- 144 S. Fourth St. The Downtown Revitalization Group released their master plan to bring businesses to Steubenville.

Executive Director of Valley Ventures Lou Stein said they want to bring 30 to 40 businesses to the downtown area in the next five years.

They're concentrating on 12 blocks from Third to Sixth Streets and South to North Streets.

They want to transform the area into lifestyle center.

"They're popping up across the country," said Stein. "It's a place where people can live, work, be entertained, eat dinner and learn."

Phase one focuses on Market and Fourth Streets first.

It's considered the heart of downtown and there's already proof of the progress.

SoJo's Hot Dog House opened a week ago and business so far, is going really well.

Owner Shelli Ocheltree said, "It brought some life back to the city. People love walking up to the cart to get their food. They just keep on walking or strangers sit and talk. It kind of brought back a little of the old time."

SoJo's is one of about a dozen new businesses set to call downtown Steubenville home.

Stein said residents will also see old memories come to life again.

"We want to get the theater back open for live performances," he said.

Stein told NEWS9 the group is prepared to hear from naysayers, but he's hoping their hard work will soon silence the critics.

"It's not about what we say. It's about what we do. I want people to watch the progress that we make and all the activity that's going to be happening downtown," he said.

Stein said the following businesses are new developments downtown:

SoJo's Hot Dog House- 330 Market St. Opened in May.

Dee's Urban Fashion- 423 Market St. Opened in May.

BookMarx- 151 N. Fourth St. Will open in July.

Car City- 255 N. Third St. Opened in May.

New Community Center- 144 S. Fourth St. Opening date yet to be announced.

Capital Recovery- 630 Market St. Opening date yet to be announced.

New Gourmet Coffee Shoppe- 332 Market St. Will open in August.

New Diner and Under 21 Dance Club- 338 Market St. Opening date yet to be announced.

New $4 Million Dollar Steubenville Municipal Building- 300 Market St. Start date for construction yet to be announced.

Stein said the following projects are in negotiations:

New Hair & Nail Salon

New Candy & Ice Cream Store

New Cooperative Art Gallery

New Loft Apartment Development