Monday, April 23, 2001
Ever since U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland, D-17th, secured $26.8 million for a proposed convocation and community center in downtown Youngstown, there has been a lot of talk about the project -- mostly from public officials or members of the convocation center board. The citizenry has been relatively quiet on this important issue.
But that could change Wednesday if Valley residents attend a forum sponsored by Youngstown City Council and the 13-member board -- and voice their opinions. The forum will be held in city council chambers beginning at 5 p.m. A show of public force could persuade the decision-makers to hold other such events, preferably in suburban communities. After all, this is a regional project.
Although Traficant designated the city of Youngstown to be the recipient of the $26.8 million, he could just as easily have selected the city of Warren. Indeed, the money was a special projects allocation that Traficant engineered through the Republican speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert.
Stakeholders: That makes all Mahoning Valley residents stakeholders in this endeavor. While Youngstown council has reserved the right to select the site for the center and has thus far refused to give the arena board control of the money from Washington, lawmakers need to hear what the taxpayers have to say.
They should hear from residents of the suburban communities in Mahoning County and people living in Trumbull and Columbiana counties. Why? Because if the proposal for a sports arena becomes a reality, its success or failure will depend, in large part, on how many suburbanites venture into downtown Youngstown to watch arena hockey or football.
The city of Youngstown isn't big enough or rich enough to be the sole support of sporting events or concerts in the convocation center. If the convocation center is built, will people come? The sports arena was initially conceived as private sector project, with Youngstown businessman Bruce Zoldan heading a group of investors. Zoldan went so far as to secure a $1.5 million state grant based on his contention that the $40 million project would be built with private money.
But then Traficant came up with the $26.8 million and has talked about going after another $10 million. The convocation and community center is now a public project, which means the taxpayers have every right to be heard.
Attendance: Youngstown council and the convocation center board have given the public a forum. It would be a shame if only a handful of people showed up. If the expenditure of millions of dollars doesn't generate interest on the part of the citizenry, then people have no right to complain if the wrong decisions are made.