President of the Steubenville Revitalization Group Jerry Barilla explained some of the work taking place at businesses in the downtown area.

"We have three store fronts that have been redone," said Barilla. "One of them would be Maltas Pizza, Stuff With Attitude and a law office. Those fronts are in historic buildings. They've done a neat job of bringing back old paint."

Across the street from those businesses, scaffolding was put up to start construction work on the front of another building. Barilla said the work is just a first step in making downtown Steubenville come alive again.

"If you have a clean place and a well-lit place you deter crime," said Barilla. "We're waiting in anticipation for this to really come together, and I'm sure in the future you're going to see a much different downtown for the better."