Chillicothe, Ross County, and the Hopewell Region — While the new visitors center that will be built in a corner of Yoctangee Park continues to be designed, its operations also continued to be planned out.
The board of the Ross-Chillicothe Convention & Visitors Bureau met with the Ross County Commissioners in a “workshop” on September 22nd, 2025, to discuss the new building – on the day when Chillicothe Council gave a second reading to the city’s lease for the property.
The “Hopewell Regional Visitor Center” will be built on the site of the recently demolished Chillicothe Parks & Recreation Service Center, near the corner of Mulberry and Riverside streets.
The new building has been planned to avoid the easement for the AEP electrical power line that runs through the park and then along Riverside Street and the floodwall, so it will be on a terrace halfway between Riverside Street and the redesigned park road along the tennis courts.
Ross County Planner Devon Shoemaker pointed out that it will be on property owned by the city…with the commissioners to own the building…and the CVB to rent it – the lease will be from from city to county, then the building sub-leased to the CVB.
Ross County Commissioner Oody Lowe asked if they can get away from a complicated arrangement like that – why doesn’t the city just sell the site for a dollar? Shoemaker answered that the lease is restricted to only this use, and they can consider a sale later. He said, also, there are many questions to be answered before the sublease is even agreed upon.
Melody Young, director of the Ross-Chillicothe CVB, said they are moving up from 1,500 square feet off Bridge Street to 6,500 here.
There is no contractor yet for the project – it’s not even bid out, but the current estimated cost for the building is $5,435,000…though that needs to be trimmed to $4.2M, largely funded by the state.
New drawings are coming soon from designer American Structurepoint, with existing ones dating from July on display at the commissioners office (see below).
The building will have a large atrium for displays, almost 3,000 square feet – and the Ross County Historical Society, Ohio Historical Connection, Ross County Park District, and National Park Service will contribute to exhibits in the building.
Young asked, what hours of operation do they want – five days, six days a week? But they will also have a self-serve kiosk available at all hours (like at the courthouse). Everything is online anymore, also.
Other questions:
- Will there be an event schedule? The building is a little bigger than the nearby Pump House, and will also be available to host events after hours, like Morning Rotary at the Pump House – or for VIP gatherings for next-door amphitheater events.
- Is there a provision for a tornado shelter, since this is all one floor? The building has a solid wall running through its center, but no basement. The single-slope roof rises up towards the interior of the park to give a two-story appearance, with an observation deck suggested in one corner.
- Will the restrooms be accessible after hours?
- There’s also security costs – you must have cameras anymore.
- How will the large expanse of windows affect HVAC?
- Who will pay for landscaping, mowing, snow, removal, etc. – who will care for the grounds? Who is responsible for major components like HVAC?
County Administrator Brad Cosenza says they can just add the grounds to what the county already cares for, but he will need a budget for the site.
Shoemaker said this will be the last new build in the park, at the end of the ACGP construction schedule, towards the end of 2026. The commissioners said this is not a part of the ACGP, but they want to get it done at the same time.
Young asked, what will the rent be? The commissioners said they are not looking to make money off this. Shoemaker said the city is not charging the county for the lease, only maybe $1 for 100 years.
Shoemaker said they still have a few weeks to think things over.
CVB Director Young said “we are going into exciting times.”
