Mayor proposes acquistion of land off U.S. Route 422

The intent is to improve city residents' quality of life.
GIRARD -- Mayor James Melfi has a plan to turn land off of U.S. Route 422 into recreational space, instead of a place for waste.
Residents here have spent months rallying against a proposed landfill.
Melfi spoke with city council members at length about buying 68 acres along the Mahoning River -- including 41 acres where the proposed landfill would have been placed if approved by city officials.
The most recent application for the landfill was returned late last year to Total Waste Logistics, the company making the request, citing deficiencies in the application.
According to Melfi's plan, the city would acquire the land and use it for recreational purposes and general enhancement of life for city residents.
Melfi said the proposed land acquisition has nothing to do with blocking creation of the landfill. He said acquiring the land would be in step with plans laid out for the city years ago.
"The landfill is not my concern. We are informing the owners that the city is interested in buying that property," he said. "This simply follows the Trumbull County Planning Commission's comprehensive plan for this community as presented in June of 2000."
According to Melfi, the county planning commission in 2000 suggested that the city acquire the old Ohio Leatherworks property off of U.S. Route 422 and land along the Mahoning River. Discussions at that time included the possible installation of a bike path along the river that would provide regional linkage to Youngstown and Niles.
Timing
Mark Standohar, city law director, said it is important to note that the planning commission recommendations were in place long before any proposal for a landfill had been submitted. He said the city has been wanting to do more recreational projects, but was hampered by a tight budget.
"The plan speaks for itself. It was there in 2000 and it is clear that this was the intent of the city all along. We are now moving on it," he said.
The city has been in fiscal emergency since August 2001. Melfi said the city's financial picture is looking better and will soon allow for projects like the land acquisition proposed to council.
Melfi said the land is being appraised, but those figures have not yet reached his office. He doubts the price will be too high given its industrial use and limited accessibility.
Melfi said details on how the city would pay for the land have not yet been worked out.
Council is expected to discuss the issue at its next regularly scheduled meeting, April 24.