YOUNGSTOWN Traficant warns of mistakes on arena

He wants the city to reconsider the site and give the arena board authority.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Congressman James A. Traficant is speaking out again about the downtown civic center project -- even if it's only to repeat his long-held positions.
Traficant, of Poland, D-17th, sent Mayor George M. McKelvey a letter Tuesday concerning the site and who will control the project.
The letter repeats threats that he won't pursue more than the $26.8 million already secured for the proposed arena project if the city keeps control.
Little to say lately: Traficant has had little to say in recent months about any topic. He is preparing for trial on charges including racketeering, bribery, tax evasion, seeking and accepting illegal gratuities and obstructing justice.
First, he asks the city to reconsider the site. City council has decided the location will be old industrial land between the Market Street and South Avenue bridges.
An arena on downtown's West End would link Youngstown State University and other entertainment venues, he said.
Land between the bridges cuts off YSU and doesn't take advantage of private investors interested in developing the west end, he said.
The bridges site is better suited to other business projects, Traficant said.
An arena there "squanders many opportunities for important other economic development that would bring people to your city," he said.
Other problems: Private investment, including a hotel, will disappear if the bridges site remains, he said.
Bruce Zoldan of B.J. Alan fireworks and Alan Levin, who owns the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, are mentioned as frustrated potential investors.
"That is not in the best interest of the citizens of Youngstown," Traficant said.
Authority issue: He also urges that the arena board be given the authority he says it was designed to have.
The city and arena board are in the midst of pointed negotiations over a contract. The deal would spell out each side's duties.
The city wants final decision-making power and the arena board to be an advisory panel. The board wants decision-making authority.
"An advisory role for the board, however, is the ultimate political smokescreen. When the smoke clears, we would all see that the board would have no influence at all," Traficant said.
That also would cause him and private investors to shy away, Traficant said.
If the city remains in control, the congressman said he won't seek more funding.
"The blame will fall squarely on the city fathers for blowing the only federally funded arena project in U.S. history," he said.
rgsmith@vindy.com