Tree decision to be made by Sept. 17

YOUNGSTOWN — City planners will recommend by Sept. 17 what should be done with a project for the western portion of a main downtown street that includes the removal of tree-lined medians.

City council’s buildings and grounds committee met today to hear the status of the West Federal Street project from city administration officials.

The city was prepared to hire a contracting company next month to start this project, first introduced more than two years ago. But after complaints from numerous people at an Aug. 6 public hearing on the project, the plans have stalled.

The biggest objection from those at the public meeting was the removal of the medians with 22 trees between Fifth Avenue and Phelps Street.

City administrators should have a revised proposal ready during the next three to four weeks, Mayor Jay Williams said. The proposal will be discussed at a Sept. 17 council buildings and grounds committee meeting.

A revision will push the completion date of the project to next summer. The $550,000 project was to be done by next spring.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com