There is a place for JEDDs in developing vacant land

There is a place for JEDDs
in developing vacant land

EDITOR:

There has been a lot of media hype lately concerning annexation and Joint Economic Development Districts (JEDDs), and Youngstown, Boardman and Austintown, and what he said, and she said. But the fact remains, that the common denominator is we are all trying to protect the community we have been elected to represent. Yes, I have been called parochial in the past, and wore it like a badge of honor as I represent Austintown, but today we have an opportunity to move forward and benefit all involved.

The JEDD is an excellent tool, when used properly it is designed to benefit all participants. I recently had an opportunity to propose the idea of a JEDD to Redstone Investments, the owner of The Centerpointe Business Park slated to be developed at I-80 and state Route 46 in Austintown. This project has been stalled and is currently in litigation with Redstone filing a law suit against Mahoning County contending that they have not upheld the Tax Increment Financing Agreement, or (TIF) that was originally signed. Instead of another costly legal battle let’s work together to benefit all involved.

The JEDD is a good idea if it involves vacant land and entices new business and job opportunities, and does not involve established businesses. The JEDD is a great idea if it encompasses Centerpointe Business Park, and enables Redstone to drop its law suit against the County. To do this Youngstown would have to assume some of the County infrastructure improvement liability agreed to in the TIF, perhaps water line construction. In return the City of Youngstown can entice new businesses into Centerpointe with caveats only a municipality can offer. Youngstown can then collect a reduced 2% income tax on newly created jobs and businesses, who know coming into the business park that they exist. Youngstown can then share a percentage of the income tax with Austintown, perhaps 25% of that collected to assist in the operation of Township government and reduce the need for additional property taxes.

This is how a successful JEDD works, Mahoning County is released from further litigation, Centerpointe development continues, Youngstown and Austintown work together to entice new business and job opportunities. The new revenue collected is used to benefit both communities; and no currently established businesses are affected.

Isn’t it great when a plan comes together, we can all remain parochial, but agree to work for the greater good of the valley, and its future.

DAVID C. DITZLER, trustee

Austintown Township

Who can still love NAFTA?

EDITOR:

During his 1993 White House signing ceremony of the three documents comprising the North American Free Trade Agreement, President Bill Clinton stated his belief that NAFTA would create 200,000 U.S. jobs in the first two years after going into effect and a million jobs in its first 5 years. Other NAFTA advocated made similar rosy forecasts about the jobs that would be created and the favorable trade balance we would occur with Mexico.

The record of the past nearly 14 years proven these optimistic predictions to have been spectacularly wrong. As economist Charles W. McMillion pointed out in March 2006, NAFTA champions had predicted the agreement “would lead to U.S. job growth by extending trade surpluses with Mexico totaling about 100 billion by deficits of almost 400 billion with Mexico since NAFTA.

My question is why after 14 years of job loses and companies moving their operations to Mexico and overseas, hasn’t someone tried to repeal NAFTA and put a stop to the Bush administration from negotiating any other worthless trade agreements? Well, finally someone has woke up and started to introduce resolutions to repeal NAFTA and halt the NAV (North American Union). Also, the House of Representatives in Pennsylvania has unanimously passed a resolution condemning the NAV. So, everyone has to keep the pressure on our representatives and senators because we can’t let them forget what NAFTA has done to destroy the middle class and if the North American Union is allowed to happen, it will be even worse for our future generations.

BUD McKELVEY

Hermitage, Pa.

Streetscapes is safety-smart

EDITOR:

I was disappointed to see that a Poland mayoral candidate, Ralph Mentzer, chose to use the media (last Sunday’s letters column) to mischaracterize the efforts of Streetscapes, a community service organization with a solid record of accomplishment.

As I’m sure Mr. Mentzer will agree, Poland has a traffic problem. High volume, an inordinate number of large trucks and frequent excessive speed are all daily facts of life here. Compounded by inadequate accommodations for bike and pedestrian traffic, these conditions have over the years made our streets less than optimally safe.

We at Streetscapes share Mr. Mentzer’s concerns for the safety of our citizens, and have been working to identify solutions: the boulevards proposal which he attacks was one such effort. We have abandoned that initiative, but we continue to search for ways to make our streets safer. The alternatives we discussed in our recent newsletter are a part of that effort.

Finding solutions to our traffic problems and making our community safer is hard work, and to be successful it requires wide participation: business, emergency services, law enforcement, municipal government, schools, citizens — as well as candidates for public office. We would welcome Mr. Mentzer’s constructive input.

LARRY WARREN, president

Town One Streetscapes Inc.

Poland

Downtown has a way to go

EDITOR:

I don’t think anyone can argue the fact that downtown Youngstown looks better today than it did just a few years ago. It’s wonderful seeing more and more businesses/government agencies moving or expanding into the downtown core. Obviously, opening up Federal Street has made a huge impact on downtown’s resurgence. Electing new visionary leaders not affiliated with the old ways, along with the passions of a younger generation tired of the status quo, is also making a difference.

But while downtown is improving, it still lacks “urban sophistication.” There are three areas in which downtown needs to improve.

First, when Federal Street was reopened why were there no plans for adding fountains and small urban parks to the downtown core? While there are beautiful trees and plants downtown, for the most part there is an overabundance of concrete. Take a look at any large downtown and most likely you will find numerous fountains and small urban parks. In Pittsburgh, where I reside, there are numerous fountains throughout the downtown and during summer local bands play regularly during lunchtime near many of these fountains. I recently visited Cumberland, Md., and was amazed at how the entire downtown of this small tourist city is dotted with fountains of all shapes and sizes. It puts Youngstown to shame. Here is an idea: next time a dilapidated building or two is knocked down, build a small urban park with a fountain instead of another concrete parking lot.

Second, ever since Federal Street was reopened, our “new downtown” lacks a centralized “public square” in which rallies or large gatherings could take place. Again, major downtowns have areas — often larger parks — where these events can occur. I urge city leaders to plan for this type of development for surly the land exists.

Finally, while downtown is improving entertainment-wise, most venues are still “shot and beer” establishments lacking professional dress codes. Hopefully as more entertainment venues open we will have more choices — including white-tablecloth restaurants, outdoor dining, and upscale clubs. Erie, Pa., a city comparable to Youngstown, is an excellent model to follow.

If Youngstown wants an eclectic and bustling downtown housing market, the city must make downtown attractive, sophisticated and offer urban amenities such as those I described .

NICHOLAS DuBOS

Pittsburgh