The city of Mount Vernon has announced the closure of Fairgrounds Road between Mansfield Road and Wooster Road for waterline installation. This announcement was made via a Facebook post on March 13, 2025.
According to the city's announcement, Fairgrounds Road will be closed from March 13 to July 31, 2025. However, emergency vehicles, local traffic, buses, mail delivery, and trash removal trucks will still have access during this period. The road closure was requested by Underground Utilities. Individuals with questions regarding the closure are advised to contact Jason Epley at the Engineering Department at 740-393-9528.
The Mount Vernon City Engineering Department manages projects and oversees permitting for various infrastructure aspects such as water, wastewater, stormwater, and zoning. It also maintains historical maps and documents related to city operations. Located at 40 Public Square, the department operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Development services including zoning regulations are handled by the department, while commercial building permits are issued by the State of Ohio. The city provides zoning district information through the Knox County Auditor’s GIS/Tax Map website; bid opportunities and engineering-related documents are available online.
Mount Vernon was founded in 1805 and became the Knox County seat in 1808. Named after George Washington’s estate, it grew from a village in 1830 to a city in 1880. The city preserves historic sites like the Woodward Opera House—the oldest free-standing opera house in the U.S.—and is known as the birthplace of songwriter Daniel Decatur Emmett, according to the city website.
With a population of 16,990 and covering an area of 9.60 square miles, Mount Vernon was recognized as an "All-American City" in 1965 and "Ohio’s Most Livable Community" in 1994. The city features parks, trails, and hosts annual events such as the Music and Arts Festival and Knox County Fair.
