Confusion over project resurfaces as pact for center control nears

Council is to meet Wednesday to talk about its view of the proposed contract.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tensions from earlier this year over control of the downtown civic center project are resurfacing, this time as a contract nears which will spell out who will hold the reins.
Some city council members took exception Wednesday to comments made on a radio talk show by a couple of civic center board members.
Council members said the comments left the impression that the city is stalling the proposed contract when that's not true.
Council members have been giving their input into the contract in recent days and will meet Wednesday to firm it up. Then, the proposal goes to the arena board for its approval or more negotiation.
Mayor George M. McKelvey said he updated the arena board about the process a few days ago and was surprised to hear any confusion.
Funding situation: James E. Fortune Sr., D-6th, reminded whoever was listening that council -- not the arena board -- controls the $26.8 million federal dollars available for the project.
"Council giveth; council taketh away," he said.
Fortune has been unhappy with a lack of communication from the board.
Council and the arena board sparred earlier this year over control of the money, but the issue was only partly resolved. The pending contract is to clarify the relationship.
Rufus Hudson, D-2nd, said council should meet with that arena board's executive committee. Council needs to hold the arena board accountable for spreading unconscionable lies about the project's status, he said.
Michael Rapovy, D-5th, said other broadcast comments left the impression that the arena site -- between the Market Street and South Avenue bridges -- isn't firm. The building will go there and it's not up for negotiation, he said.
Council President Charles P. Sammarone, who was named an arena board member a few weeks ago, said he will ask the board today about the broadcast comments.
He cautioned that many or most of the other arena board members may not be aware a couple of their colleagues went on the air.
Resident's comment: Bill Triplett, an East Side resident, said during the public comment session that council needs to do whatever it takes to get the project moving faster.
Individual council members say the right things, but the project isn't moving like it should, Triplett said.
"Come together, please, and get this thing resolved," he said to council members. "Let's pull it together. Let's do what's best for the city of Youngstown."
rgsmith@vindy.com