STEUBENVILLE, OHIO—Work continues on schedule at Franciscan Square, the largest commercial development in Steubenville in decades.

Through much of August, excavators, dozers, dump trucks, loaders, and other heavy machinery prepared the pad across from the main entrance to Franciscan University for the new Best Western Plus University Inn plus two potential restaurants. Preliminary grading for later phases of the development, which may include retail space, office space, and a mixed-use meeting center was also undertaken.

“Despite the near-record rainfall in early summer, Franciscan Square is right on schedule,” said Joe McGurn, director of Physical Plant at Franciscan University. “More than 8,000 cubic yards of soil was imported from nearby University property to raise the overall height of the parcel as much as 10 feet in some places to create level plateaus. With the grading work coming to a close, you’ll start to see visible signs of construction,” McGurn said.

New water and sewer lines are now being installed, concrete is being poured for the hotel’s foundation, and construction is underway on a 382-foot-long retaining wall.

“We expect to have the foundation and framing finished before winter sets in,” McGurn said, so crews can continue with interior construction of the hotel through winter.

About 20 construction workers have been on the site daily, including crews from James White Construction Inc. of Weirton, West Virginia; Proscape of New Stanton, Pennsylvania; and Massaro Construction of Pittsburgh. AEP is now beginning their onsite work to relocate power lines. The total number of workers will increase rapidly over the next few weeks.

Completion of phase I of Franciscan Square is scheduled for August 2016.