YOUNGSTOWN CIVIC CENTER Panel considers county control

County commissioners would turn the project over to the board if the federal grants were redirected.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- To get the civic center project off dead center, Mahoning County is willing to take Youngstown's place as funding recipient.
Members of the civic center board discussed Thursday whether Mahoning County commissioners should administer the project, because liability concerns are at the root of the wrangling over control.
The idea emerged as board members talked about the stalemate over a contract with the city that outlines control.
If commissioners assumed control of $26.8 million in federal grants appropriated by Congress, they would let the civic center board handle the project, said Paul A. Lyden. He is the county's appointee to the arena board.
Upset at pace: He met with Commissioners Ed Reese and David Ludt earlier this week. They are upset that the project hasn't moved forward more quickly, Lyden said.
The city may be in charge of the federal money, but its liability concerns are holding up a regional arena project, Lyden said.
"That has to be conveyed, time and time again, to the city fathers," he said.
The city and arena board are in the midst of pointed talks over the contract. The city wants final decision-making power and wants the arena board to be an advisory panel. The board wants decision-making authority.
Main argument: The city's main reason for maintaining control is that it -- not the board -- ultimately is responsible to the federal government if money is misspent. Therefore, the city must have final authority over spending, they say.
One issue is whether U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland, D-17th, who secured the money, would embrace the iea of redirecting the funds to the county. Congress would have to approve such a move. Claire Maluso, who is a board member and a Traficant aide, said she didn't know if the congressman would seek such a change.
Meanwhile, contract talks continued.
The city's lawyers sent a letter Wednesday setting today as the deadline for the arena board to respond to the city's proposed contract. The board had asked for a Dec. 19 deadline. Board members voted to send a letter outlining concerns about the proposal.
Member Gil Peterson said he was offended by the deadline demand, considering that the contract has been at issue since the summer.
The contract, and the project, are too important for such tactics, he said.
"It can't be rushed into this way," he said.
YSU students: Tony Spano, a student government official at Youngstown State University, told the board it -- not the city -- seems in better position to do the project. Spano, coordinator of student programming, said YSU students are interested in the project.
They will be heavy users of the building because there is so little entertainment within walking distance from campus, he said.
Bill Weimer of B.J. Alan fireworks relayed the frustration that he and his boss, Bruce Zoldan, are feeling as potential investors in the project.
"Our level of frustration increases every day," he said.
rgsmith@vindy.com