Official discusses study's impact on Riverwalk project

The grants coordinator says original plans have been modified and will disturb the area's environment and history.
By AMANDA C. DAVIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- An environmental and historical impact study on the city's Riverwalk project could delay construction plans that have been in the works about 12 years.
Alex Bobersky, grants coordinator for the city's Community Development Department, authored the study, which says architectural plans compromise the environmental and historical integrity of the area.
He said the plans invade wetlands and call for removal of century-old trees, among other things.
The city's Riverwalk/Festival Grounds project calls for a walkway and bike trail along the Mahoning River that will eventually tie into the Great Ohio Lake-to-River Greenway, a nature trail that one day will connect Lake Erie at Ashtabula Harbor with the Ohio River at East Liverpool.
How plan began: Bobersky said he hatched the plan for riverfront development in 1989, to include an outdoor amphitheater; picnic, vending and parking areas; gazebos; a promenade; festival grounds; and restoration of historical structures.
He said his original plans have been modified by Phillips/Sekanick Architects Inc. of Warren, and include plans that will disturb the area's environment and history.
Bobersky said the study was required in order to receive monies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which must approve plans, along with the city and Ohio State Historic Preservation Office.
The study was put on public display Feb. 23 and the public has until Tuesday to air comments and concerns, Bobersky noted.
Mayor's comments: Mayor Hank Angelo said he has not signed off on findings in the study, which he said is based on Bobersky's opinion in many cases.
"I have the utmost respect for Alex and I think he does an excellent job for the city," Angelo said. "But this is not the way he should have proceeded" with the study.
Bobersky and city administrators are involved in the fact-finding stage of a disciplinary hearing to determine if Bobersky erred by drafting a portion of the study.
"He put my name on the document without my prior review," the mayor said. "It's his opinion of what we should be doing and it needs to be a city plan, not just Alex's plan."
Removed from duty: Bobersky, who has headed up the project for years, said he was relieved of that duty a few weeks ago by orders of safety-service director Fred Harris, and has been accused of insubordination and incompetence because of the study.
Bobersky said past administrations did not lend as much support to the project as Angelo has, but that the mayor wants plans to be drafted "on his terms."
"I'm not faulting the mayor, but he never sat down with me long enough for me to explain all the aspects of my plan," Bobersky said.
He went on to say he knew from the beginning his plans would impact historical properties and the environment. He noted, however, that his plan minimizes impacts, whereas the architect's plan does not.
About funding: Angelo said the city's cash-strapped general fund will not contribute to the project. Funding commitments have been made by Warren Rotary, Trumbull 100, the state's capital budget and general fund and HUD Community Development Block Grants.
Bids for project construction were advertised Nov. 22 and opened Dec. 21. They have not yet been awarded. The architect's estimated project cost is $1.76 million and the lowest bid received is $1.85 million.
Angelo said a community organization, which he did not name, committed to donate more money, but has withdrawn that offer because of Bobersky's study.
City officials will meet with architects Friday to review Bobersky's concerns.
Angelo said the study could cause a delay in the project, which could cost the city "hundreds of thousands of dollars" if bid specifications have to be redrawn and bids readvertised.
The mayor said he supports Bobersky's efforts but noted a consensus must be reached among interested parties, including citizens, officials, community organizations and preservation groups.
Bobersky "does raise a couple of legitimate issues that will be investigated," Angelo said, explaining that he, too, is concerned with architects' plans for wetlands and the site and size of the amphitheater.