Even though he essentially washed his hands of the downtown Youngstown arena proposal about two

Even though he essentially washed his hands of the downtown Youngstown arena proposal about two years ago, businessman Bruce J. Zoldan has a lot to say about the doomed project.
His opinions are in stark contrast to those of Youngstown Mayor George M. McKelvey, his longtime friend.
After Vindicator management successfully lobbied U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine to seek a congressional provision to shift the $25 million in federal funding from the arena to general downtown redevelopment, Zoldan contacted the senator, asking him to reconsider. DeWine plans to get legislation passed, probably in February or March, to shift the money, after it was mistakenly omitted from the federal omnibus spending package.
"The senator heard the other side of the story," said Zoldan, president and chief executive officer of B.J. Alan Fireworks, and owner of the Youngstown Phantoms minor league hockey team. "He learned there wasn't solidarity. He asked a lot of questions. I didn't change his mind, but I'm sure he has a serious concern with what he heard."
Zoldan, an early proponent of an arena and prominent local political donor, still envisions an 8,500-to-10,000-seat facility that would serve as a catalyst for a downtown revival. The city's last plan was for a 5,400-seat facility, a proposal Zoldan said would fail if it were built, particularly at the suggested location between Market Street and South Avenue.
Zoldan says city officials made a huge mistake announcing what property they wanted before buying it, rushed into a bad deal, and the land isn't a good location for an arena.
While a larger arena that would bring thousands of people to downtown is Zoldan's dream, he is a realist. He says there is really no chance that McKelvey and city council will change their minds.
But that's not stopping him from touting it.
Zoldan said he would "jump back in" if the city decided to build the larger arena. Zoldan said he could raise $10 million to $15 million through state grants, the sale of luxury suites and the arena's naming rights, which could be combined with the federal money, to build the facility.
McKelvey said there's a big difference between having the money upfront, and Zoldan's plan to raise the funds through other avenues.
"Show me the money," McKelvey said. "Youngstown taxpayers are in no mood to build a sports facility for a millionaire."
"It's coming out of my business mind," Zoldan responded. "Don't get hung up on it not coming out of my pocket."
Zoldan wants the city to establish a committee, made up of local businessmen, to oversee the construction of an arena project, or for downtown redevelopment if the funding shift is approved.
McKelvey said the city wants to use the money for downtown redevelopment and plans to scrutinize each proposal. Also, the mayor has no use for an oversight committee, saying city council and the administration will do just fine without interference from others.
"He is questioning city officials' oversight of tax dollars," McKelvey said. "That's offensive, and it's an insult."
Zoldan estimates his arena plan would cost about $35 million or so, while McKelvey pegs the price at about twice that amount.
McKelvey said he would be willing to ask council to give Zoldan $5 million to build an arena, which he said is $5 million more in government funding than Zoldan got from Boardman to build the Ice Zone.
"Private investors don't build arenas," Zoldan said. "They come in and run them and hold the city harmless from future debt. You can't build it for $5 million. That's not reality."
Although Zoldan has criticized the city regarding the federal money, he never submitted a proposal to build an arena.
"Over the past two years, I've informally asked Bruce to get involved or submit a proposal, and there's been nothing, zero," McKelvey said.
Zoldan said he didn't submit a plan because he doesn't want to deal with politicians.
"I didn't drop out until city council dissolved the independent arena board," he said. "I would have worked with that board," even though he didn't like the makeup of the group.