Feasibility study made possible by grant

The city has acquired all but four of Westlawn's 92 lots.
WARREN -- Initial findings of a feasibility study to determine marketability of the former Westlawn neighborhood are expected later this month.
Kevin Kralj, the city's director of community development, said the city received a $50,000 grant from the Local Initiative Support Corporation of Cleveland to study the southwest side neighborhood bordered by Westlawn and Victoria streets on the north, Loveless Avenue on the west, Union Street on the south and Nevada Avenue on the east.
The city owns all but four of the 92 parcels in Westlawn, which once accounted for 15 percent of the city's crime and 11 percent of all fire department calls, Mayor Hank Angelo said.
Warren used the grant to enlist the help of a consultant to look at the 47-acre property for possible residential or other developments, Kralj said.
Once the city has control of all the properties, Angelo said, public meetings will be called to discuss possible options for developments.
What came before: Demolition of Westlawn began in July 1997, spurred by the actions of local residents Clyde "Skip" Cole and John Taylor. Both are members of the civic group, Trumbull 100, and formed their own nonprofit group to buy the parcels and sell them back to the city, without making a profit.
"The city is very fortunate these two citizens stepped forward and made this project happen," the mayor said. "It saved the city a lot of money and these guys worked on a handshake alone because they believe in the city."
What the city paid to buy the properties amounts to about $70,000 a year for 15 years, the mayor said.
Even though this money came from the now-strapped general fund, Angelo said "it's a small price to pay for safety."
The dilapidated housing development was known for drug trade and violent crimes.
Razing the homes and eliminating crime saved the city more money in police protection and other services than what the city paid to buy the lots, Angelo added.
Once development plans are approved, the mayor said, work will likely begin to bring sewer and water lines up to code.