Upgrades will open land for development in Liberty

Both projects will begin this summer.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
LIBERTY -- Township officials are trying to set the stage for growth here with two infrastructure projects set to begin this summer.
Township Administrator Pat Ungaro said sewer lines and waterlines will be installed on Gypsy Lane from Belmont Avenue west to the township road department -- with the potential for expansion.
Ungaro said waterlines will also be installed on Tibbetts Wick Road from Belmont west to state Route 11.
He said the infrastructure upgrades will lay the groundwork for growth.
"The big picture for Liberty is that there is a lot of land for growth and economic development. With the high traffic count and access to Route 11, this will be a high-growth area in the future," he said.
Placing sewer line and waterlines along Gypsy Lane, Ungaro said, will likely cost between $800,000 and $1 million. Bids are being sought, and work is expected to get under way in May.
Ungaro said the newly opened state Route 711 Connector along with the infrastructure improvements will revitalize the lower end of Belmont closest to Youngstown.
What's available
"If you stop and take a look in that area, there are a few homes and some businesses, but beyond that, there are hundreds of acres of land that can be developed," he said. "With no sewer or water lines, it would stay that way."
Ungaro said it is important to note this particular section of the township has one of the highest traffic counts in the area.
"Anytime you have a freeway on and off ramp, the traffic count goes up, and business will come," he said. "This will be a great regional project."
Placing the waterlines on Tibbetts Wick Road will be a $1.2 million Trumbull County project, with the township responsible for $150,000 of the total cost.
That project is also out for bids and slated to begin this summer.
"This is a beautiful area for development, with hundreds and hundreds of acres but no waterlines," Ungaro said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com