WARREN City still hopes for state funds

No projects in Trumbull or Columbiana counties are slated for funding in the bill.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Despite several projects in the city being left out of the latest two-year state capital appropriations bill, city officials say they aren't abandoning their plans.
Earlier this year, city officials went to Columbus to lobby Gov. Bob Taft's budget director about the planned Riverwalk and Robins Theater projects, expansion of National Packard Museum and upgrades at W.D. Packard Music Hall.
Warren Redevelopment and Planning had applied for four grants from the state: Packard Music Hall renovation, $9 million; Packard Museum addition, $2 million; Riverwalk, for which the city has already received $1.3 million of the total $5 million project; and Robins Theater renovation, $7 million.
The $1.2 billion capital appropriations bill, introduced this week, included no money for those projects or any others in Trumbull or Columbiana counties. Projects in Youngstown received $1.5 million in the bill.
How much was sought
The Mahoning Valley delegation in the state House had sought $5 million for the area, including more money for the projects that did get some funding.
"I never give up hope, but I don't see much change with the bill that was put in," said Mayor Hank Angelo.
He said people are calling Columbus to see if money is available for the projects.
"We don't have any Republican representation from this area in Columbus, and that works against us," Angelo said.
But he noted that the last appropriations bill included about $2 million for projects in the city.
"Since Gov. Taft has been governor we've gotten more money from the state in the 20-some years that I've been with the city," Angelo said.
He said he's happy that Youngstown projects are slated for funding in the bill.
"Youngstown and Warren are in the same boat," Angelo said.
The fact that Cleveland and Columbus are slated to get $15 million each is irritating, the mayor added.
Michael Keys, executive director of WRAP, said the city was aware going in that it's a tight state budget but hoped for the best.
"We knew it was a tough sell because of the budget," he said. "We haven't totally given up. We're still working on it."