COLUMBIANA Firestone developer clears last hurdle

Construction of homes along the golf course should start in about three months.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
COLUMBIANA -- After years of planning and waiting, developer Wayne Bacon is nearly ready to start building homes on The Links at Firestone Farms.
"It's been one struggle after another, but it's finally a reality," Bacon said.
Columbiana City Council awarded contracts Tuesday for extension of sewer lines to the development area, and construction of a sewage lift station. That was the last hurdle Bacon needed to clear for his development, in the works since 1992.
Marucci & amp; Gaffney of Youngstown was awarded the contract for $3,473,061 for installation of the sewer line; Craig Edward Susany Inc. of North Lima will build the lift station for $1,341,000.
Bacon said construction of streets and infrastructure of the 850-acre development along state Route 7 should begin in about 30 days. Construction of homes should begin in about three or four months, he said.
More than 300 homes eventually will line the 18-hole golf course. Bacon said 10 builders already are lined up to start construction. The homes will range in price from $250,000 to $1 million or more.
The 850-acre site, the former homestead property of Harvey S. Firestone, includes 65 acres of commercial property waiting to be developed. Bacon has said the commercial strip, which fronts Route 7 between state Route 14 and Heck Road, will probably be developed as professional office space.
"Now that we have water and sewer out there, I think that whole corridor is going to develop," said Mayor Lowell Schloneger. "This has been a long time coming."
Schloneger said the project started 11 years ago when it was presented to Columbiana County commissioners. It was eventually taken over by the city.
bjackson@vindy.com