City officials discuss tree-lined medians next week

City officials discuss tree-lined medians next week

YOUNGSTOWN —City officials will meet next week to discuss what to do with a suddenly controversial project on the western portion of a main downtown street.

At the request of Mayor Jay Williams, Carmen S. Conglose Jr., the city’s deputy public works director, will meet with city planners, probably on Monday, to discuss the West Federal Street project.

By the end of next week, city officials will present their suggestions for the project to members of city council and interested parties, Williams said. The mayor expects a final plan to be done by about the end of the month.

Numerous people spoke in opposition to the plan at a Monday public meeting.

The city originally had wanted to advertise for a contractor for the project next week, but that’s been delayed because of the objections, Conglose said.

The specific objection is the project includes the removal of medians lined with 22 trees on West Federal Street between Fifth Avenue and Phelps Street.

The $550,000 project was first publicly discussed more than two years ago.

For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com