A clean Mahoning River offers unlimited potential for recreation, commerce

EDITOR:
Recently two writers expressed opinions in The Vindicator about the efforts under way by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to ecologically restore the Mahoning River. Robert Stanger, a member of the Sierra Club, implied banking on the Mahoning River for progress is pure fantasy. Youngstown State University professor Dr. Scott Martin was more optimistic and stated, "The value of benefits to the local economy and our quality of life will be many times the investment." Further, Stanger suggested railroads along the river will prevent redevelopment, while Dr. Martin expressed the opinion the train tracks preserve the "riparian corridor," which provides numerous ecological benefits and will also protect the river from future contamination when restored.
Indeed the Mahoning River today is one of the most contaminated urban streams in the United States. Sediments beneath the river and on its banks for a 30-mile stretch from Warren to Lowellville contain some 750,000 cubic yards of heavy metals from the former steel industry and pollutants that were deposited prior to the construction of modern waste treatment plants.
Fortunately the river's unsatisfactory condition has caught the attention of the federal, state and local governments, which collectively plan to contribute $100 million through 2017 toward its cleanup -- which, aside from its many positive environmental attributes, will undoubtedly provide an economic boost.
Consider some of the positive developments already alongside the Mahoning River despite its current undesirable and under-utilized condition: a riverfront park in Newton Falls, Canoe City in Leavittsburg, the Warren River Walk and Amphitheater, a new riverside middle school in Niles, Mill Creek Park's Fellows Riverside Gardens, two riverfront restaurants in downtown Youngstown, the proposed Youngstown Convocation Center, brownfield redevelopment in Campbell and Struthers, and the Stavich bike trail from Lowellville to New Castle.
Imagine what can happen once our Mahoning River is restored.
Take a short ride to Pittsburgh and note the successful Station Square, the South Side redevelopment project and The Waterfront Lifestyle Center are all separated from the Monongahela River by railroad tracks. On any given day, Cleveland's Flats attract thousands to the banks of the Cuyahoga River. Perhaps the best example for the Mahoning Valley to emulate is Chattanooga, a Tennessee River community that has witnessed nearly $1 billion in economic revitalization from riverfront activities over the past decade with more than 100 new stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.
My 20/20 Mahoning River vision for the year 2020, after it is ecologically restored, includes: a bike trail and a scenic byway paralleling the river from Newton Falls to New Castle; downtown revitalization in all nine local riverfront communities; brownfield site redevelopment alongside the river by new environmentally friendly business and industry; canoeing, fishing and possibly swimming; abundant wild and aquatic life, and numerous parks; shopping and recreational activities with direct riverfront access.
Is my vision possible, or just a pipe dream? Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but I'm banking that completion of the Mahoning River initiative will enhance the quality of life, health, community pride and attractiveness of the Mahoning Valley for future generations.
WILLIAM D. DECICCO
Boardman
XThe writer is chairman of the Mahoning River Consortium.