Ripley Riverfront & Freedom Landing Projects

Creating a Dynamic Community Space on the Ohio Riverfront 

Ripley, Ohio, a historic village on the banks of the Ohio River, has its sights set on revitalization. Through the State of Ohio’s Appalachian Community Grant Program, the Village has partnered with OHM Advisors to reimagine its downtown and riverfront as a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly community commons that honors regional history while unlocking future economic opportunities.

The Appalachian Community Grant Program awarded the Village $16M to fuel its vision for a revitalized riverfront with enhanced walkability, safety, and a stronger connection to the river. The effort combines two closely linked projects: the Ripley Riverfront East Plan and the Freedom Landing Boat Dock. OHM provided conceptual designs to support community discussions and refine the vision for future enhancements. The infrastructure plan includes streetscape improvements, park space, and multimodal access upgrades for pedestrians, cyclists, boaters, and motorists. In addition to design, OHM’s team is providing planning, funding assistance, stormwater engineering, surveying, landscape architecture, and transportation engineering services.

Fabrication of the dock modules for the Freedom Landing project is underway, and construction for both projects is scheduled to begin in July 2025.