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Ashland Riverfront Business Development

City of Ashland Webcam

Heavy rains this summer and high water on the Ohio River will not impair the city’s efforts to encourage more business development along the waterfront…That’s the view of Ashland Vice-Mayor Kevin Gunderson. 

Steady precipitation last month during Ashland’s annual “Summer Motion” celebration caused the river to spill over the city’s boat dock and make for soggy grounds in its Veterans Park. However, Gunderson says the festival was a success anyway and he doesn’t think entrepreneurs will shy away from investing in opportunities along the river…

"Building of a complex on the riverfront would likely be…on the ‘safe-side’ of the railroad tracks, beyond the river. It would not have flood-wall protection, but shielded by railroad tracks. That would be a business proposition… we have had others do this….Office Max, Ruby Tuesday’s, and others…it has not been a factor for them." - Kevin Gunderson

Gunderson says occasionally high water is not a problem for the Veterans Park, either. He says it’s designed to flood, though he’s quick to add the city hasn’t had any substantial flooding since 1937.