Donor offers cash to buy land for park

The money will cover the cost of 41 acres next to the Leather Works site.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- City officials have expressed interest in putting a park along the same stretch of land beside the Mahoning River where a company hopes to put a landfill -- now, an anonymous donation may make that park a reality.
Two weeks ago, Mayor James Melfi announced a plan to buy the property at the former Leather Works property on U.S. 422 and 41 acres of adjacent land along the Mahoning River. Melfi said the plan is not an attempt to stop the proposed landfill, but in step with plans for recreational facilities in the city laid out by the county years ago.
Melfi said the city's plan includes a community park and a bike trail stretching from Youngstown to Niles.
Frank DiRubba, who lives in Liberty Township but does business and owns property in the city, came up with an idea for a grass-roots fundraiser to purchase the potential park property.
Someone listened.
Melfi said an anonymous city resident came forward and agreed to donate the total purchase cost of the 41 acres along the Mahoning River to the city. Melfi said the land will cost an estimated $1,000 per acre. The donation does not include purchase of the Leather Works property.
"The suggestion made by Frank DiRubba is gaining ground and popularity," said Melfi. "We are obviously very excited because the public's participation in this venture is very important."
Melfi said the city will accept the donation and begin negotiations for the property pending passage of a resolution from city council Monday declaring certain land in the city for public use.
Leather Works property
Melfi said the city is still interested in buying the Leather Works property. He said contributions from residents to buy the property would be nice, but the city will explore ways of buying the property even without donations.
To that end, DiRubba said his idea of a grass-roots fund-raising effort can still be put to good use. He is meeting with members of Girard United Against Ruinous Dumping on Tuesday to discuss the idea. GUARD is the citizen group formed to try to prevent the landfill's coming to town.
As some city leaders and residents are excited at the possibility of a park along the river, Total Waste Logistics continues its attempts to obtain a permit to open a demolition debris landfill on the same property.
Total Waste Logistics has a purchase agreement with the property owners that hinges on obtaining a permit from the city health department for a landfill on the site.
City Health Commissioner James Dobson said Total Waste Logistics has submitted its permit application a third time. The application has been rejected twice for various deficiencies.
The city has until May 23 to answer the latest submission and has hired Bennett and Williams, a Columbus-based consulting firm, to review the application.
jgoodwin@vindy.com