LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners agreed Tuesday to give $125,000 of American Rescue Plan Act funds to the city of Salem for the recently announced Lincoln Plaza project.

Located at the southeast corner of Lincoln Avenue and East State Street in Salem, the property is proposed to become a picturesque green space with brick walkways, a fountain, a gazebo and plantings, along with a bronze war memorial, a bronze Abraham Lincoln statue and an ornamental entrance.

The property was previously known as the Village Green in front of the former Salem Area Chamber of Commerce building which was razed a few years ago. The spot included the veterans memorial and flag pole which were relocated to the city hall property, and a fountain.

Initially sold to a private entity which cleared the land for development, the property was then purchased by the city last year. Salem City Council gave former Mayor John Berlin the go-ahead to explore plans for a park at the site and earlier this year, $700,000 was secured from the state to cover some of the costs.

A Green Space Committee was formed and recently presented a proposal describing in detail the plans for the property. The budget was described as two phases, with the $700,000 covering the first phase for the plaza’s construction for the layout, electrical, proposed fountain, gazebo, walkways and plantings. A proposed second phase was estimated to cost $379,000 for additional retaining walls, the entrance, statue, and war memorial. City council on Tuesday approved going out for bid on the first phase.

In other business, the commissioners dismissed a petition for the re-establishment of a public road on an unimproved portion of Crosser Road in Center Township, noting that legal counsel found that the unimproved portion remained a public road even through it was unmaintained. Since it’s already a public road, the board found it unnecessary to re-establish it.

The commissioners also accepted all bids recommended by the county engineer for slag, gravel, crushed limestone, various types of asphalt, ice control materials, gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene for 2023.

The next meeting of commissioners will be 9 a.m. Dec. 14 at the courthouse.

mgreier@mojonews.com