YOUNGSTOWN Plans for BWC,CSB are finalized

The new building is expected to open in late 2004 or early 2005.
By BOB JACKSON
and PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITERS
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning County commissioners and the county's Children Services Board have approved financial arrangements that will bring about construction of a new government office building downtown.
The new four-story building, to be built on a parking lot on the east side of the George V. Voinovich Government Center, will house CSB and the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
CSB will move there from the county's South Side Annex on Market Street and BWC will move staff from Warren to the new building.
The two agencies would bring about 175 workers to the new building, which is estimated to cost about $7.5 million. CSB would bring about 100 employees and BWC the remainder.
"It's been a long time in the making, and we're just happy that we're finally moving forward," said Denise Stewart, CSB executive director.
The new structure is expected to be ready for occupancy in late 2004 or early 2005, said Reid Dulberger, executive vice president of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.
The chamber staffs the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp., which will manage and maintain the new building. CIC owns, operates and maintains the Voinovich Center.
Benefits of move
"It's a good deal for downtown because we are able to put an impressive new building on a site in downtown and help complete the streetscape," Dulberger said. "That helps concentrate employment, which will help in our efforts to attract service and retail operations to complement them in the downtown area," he added.
The city's coffers will benefit because the relocated BWC employees will be added to those paying the 2.75 percent city income tax, he noted.
On Tuesday morning, the Mahoning commissioners approved the issuance and sale of $2.75 million in notes in anticipation of issuance of general obligation bonds for the project.
County Auditor George Tablack said he's studying a 20- or 26-year term. The bond issue would be paid back by proceeds from rent paid by BWC, he said.
On Tuesday afternoon, CSB unanimously agreed to contribute up to $5 million it had saved toward the new building.
The new facility will be owned by the county, but CIC will own the land and lease it to the county for $1 a year. CSB, which will occupy a combined total of 40,000 square feet on the third and fourth floors, will pay just under $5 a square foot a year for property management.
BWC will occupy 20,000 square feet on the second floor and pay $12.21 per square foot per year in rent to CIC, which will pass the money through to the county.
Repair fund
From the BWC and CSB occupancy payments, the county will set aside money in a fund for major future repairs to the building, Tablack said. The recommended contribution to this repair fund is 50 cents per square foot per year, he said.
CSB will have its own ground-level entrance with an elevator to its offices. BWC will be linked by a bridge to its second-floor offices in the Voinovich building. The ground floor will feature an enclosed parking area.
CSB has wanted for years to move out of its quarters in the South Side Annex. CSB has said it's inadequate for the agency's needs because it does not afford privacy and confidentiality for its clients.
Commissioner Ed Reese said the move took so long because commissioners wanted to ensure the project would benefit the CSB, its clients and downtown.
After CSB's eventual move, the board of elections, clerk of courts title department and the Veterans Services Commission will be the only county offices left in the South Side Annex. Reese and Commissioner David Ludt said there are no plans to relocate them.
"Until our finances get better, I don't think we'll be doing much of anything as far as moving," Ludt said.
Several other county offices had been in the building, but have moved out in the past five years.
The Mahoning Valley Drug Task Force has moved from its former location downtown into the second floor of the annex.