City seeks to cut ties with Chevy Centre management firm

YOUNGSTOWN — The relationship the city has with the company managing the Chevrolet Centre is “irreparably harmed” and will be severed, Mayor Jay Williams said.

The city is in talks with other entities about managing the center, and is considering running the facility itself on a short-term basis, if needed, Williams said.

“We leave all possibilities on the table,” he said. “We’re examining all options.”

International Coliseums Co., the Global Entertainment Corp. subsidiary managing the Chevrolet Centre, filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday claiming the city violated its management deal and cost the company money.

ICC is refusing to pay $600,000 it had previously guaranteed the city as part of a contract restructuring last year. The money was due to the city Sept. 1.

ICC continues to manage the city-owned Chevrolet Centre and collect a $12,500 monthly management fee.

But the city has no plans to continue the working relationship much longer, Williams said.

“Never say never, but I don’t think we’ll work with Global again,” he said.

The city is willing to negotiate a dissolution of its contract with ICC, Williams said.

In its federal lawsuit, ICC didn’t make any mention of cutting ties with the city.

“ICC’s goal has always been to reach a fair and equitable resolution with the city,” said Andy Moorer of the Phoenix-based Miller Group that serves as ICC’s media adviser. “To that end, ICC will continue to seek to resolve its issues with the city outside of the litigation.”

Except to acknowledge the ICC lawsuit, Moorer refused to say anything else about the issue.

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