STEUBENVILLE - The multi-staory brick building at the corner of Washington and Eighth streets is coming down.

Fourth Ward Councilman David Fortunato proposed emergency legislation Tuesday to allow the city to proceed with the demolition of the building that has been marked in recent years by broken windows and boarded over doorways.

According to Steubenville Law Director S. Gary Repella, the city has been in negotiations for the past several months with Abe Pearlman family members, who own the structure, and Lamar Advertising.

Lamar owns a double-sided billboard on top of the building.

"We are going to proceed with the demolition of that building, and Lamar Advertising will then pay the city for the cost of the demolition and will be allowed to put up a new billboard on the site," explained Repella.

"It is a win for everyone," Repella added

He noted the measure is being considered on an emergency basis, "because the building roof is collapsing and it is becoming a dangerous structure."

Fortunato also introduced a measure calling for properties to be demolished using Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds.

The city is expected to advertise for bids to have the condemned houses at 310 and 417 Highland Ave., 1327 and 1329 Pennsylvania Ave. and 1436 and 1438 Euclid Ave. taken down.

Sixth Ward Councilman David Lalich introduced two amendments to the city's existing revenue tax budget and appropriations for the 2009 fiscal status.

Following the sunshine session, council moved immediately into an executive session with its consultants MWH Constructors Inc. to discuss pending litigation.

"We are at a crisis point in our discussions with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency regarding our long-term control plan for discharge into the Ohio River. I need to brief you on where we are at with this," Williams told council.

Williams said the city has employed the consulting firm to help develop a plan to satisfy the OEPA as far as discharge from the city's sewer system into the river during heavy rain storms.

The city spent $9.9 million in 2008 on Permars Run Sanitary Relief Sewer project to meet OEPA demands.

Council is expected to meet Tuesday prior to its regular meeting to start reviewing the list of potential city manager applicants.

Williams is set to retire from the job on Jan. 8.

(Gossett can be contacted at dgossett@heraldstaronline.com.)