YOUNGSTOWN Council formally OKs deal with arena board

The project is moving ahead on at least seven fronts.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Council's formal approval of a contract between the city and civic center board tops a busy couple of weeks for the project, said Mayor George M. McKelvey.
Council, as expected, passed legislation Wednesday authorizing the city's control board to sign the contract.
The deal makes the board advisory and leaves all final decisions to the city on the proposed downtown civic center project.
Other actions: Besides the contract, McKelvey outlined these items that have progressed the past two weeks:
USeeking requests for project proposals.
USeeking feasibility studies.
USeeking environmental studies on the land between the Market Street and South Avenue bridges.
UDeveloping a project time line with a consultant.
UCreating a six-month budget for the civic center board's administration.
UTerminating the board's legal services contract with a Cleveland law firm. The board will use the city law department.
UDeveloping a process for board recommendations to flow through city hall.
"We've done a hell of a lot in the past 10 working days," McKelvey said.
rgsmith@vindy.com