ZANESVILLE – Revelation of a new park, housing updates, major traffic adaptations and plans for Putnam Hill Park were highlighted in Mayor Don Mason’s 2022 State of the City address before council on April 27.
Here are some notable takeaways:
● Zanesville’s population has increased by 0.85% to 24,986, up from 24,776 in 2020. The city has grown annually by about 0.14%.
● The city’s median household income is $43,280, and the poverty rate is at around 24%.
● A traffic light is being added at the intersection of Northpointe Drive and Military Road. It will go to bid before July 4.
● The Zanesville Community Improvement Corporation, which has been rehabbing deteriorated houses and even building new ones, made $216,827 in the last year, an increase of $21,453 increase from the year before. It salvaged four buildings and built one new one in 2025. Another new house on Abington Avenue is underway, and eight more houses are ready for potential rehab in 2026.
● The ongoing Carol Crossing apartment complex and its 42 workforce units near the intersection of Muskingum Avenue and Pine Street is expected to be completed in June. Rents will eventually range between $475 and $1,184 depending on the layout.
● The new Leasure Farms subdivision near the intersection of Olde Falls and Frazeysburg roads has completed its information center, along with some of its streets, curbs, mailboxes and utilities. Around five houses were in development in April and that number could expand to 20 or 30 by the end of 2026. Eighty-five single-family residences, around 90 condos, and 350 apartments are being planned.
● Zanesville’s Community Development Department filed an application for funding for Putnam Hill Park. Park upgrades could include the city’s first public splash pad, inclusive playground equipment, improved shelter houses, and expanded parking.
● Gateway Park’s name was revealed, which will be a combination of the pre-existing Confluence Park and the 12 acres across the Licking River (formerly the Mees Carpet property). There will be expanded parking and a potential slip added to the river’s northern bank.
● Secrest Auditorium’s grand reopening is expected in November. The around $12 million project will introduce a new 8,500-square-foot lobby on the southeast corner with an escalator, elevator, expanded bathrooms, and improved accessibility. The project is aided through around $2 million in community donations and a $6.5 million Appalachian community grant.
● Total funding amount expected for various city-wide projects is $10.33 million, including the Healthy Communities, Natural Resources Assistance Council (NRAC), FEMA Firefighters Assistance Fund, and Ohio Brownfield and Demolition programs and the Straker Foundation.
Mason’s full presentation can be found on the City of Zanesville’s website.
Shawn Digity is a reporter for the Zanesville Times Recorder. He can be emailed at sdigity@gannett.com or found on X at @ShawnDigityZTR.
This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Zanesville mayor highlights growth, housing and projects in speech
Reporting by Shawn Digity, Zanesville Times Recorder / Zanesville Times Recorder
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