The big word in Liberty: growth

The township administrator said major projects are on the horizon.

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF

LIBERTY — Business leaders and residents heard a message from township officials about Liberty’s future, and the general message is to expect development and business growth.

Dozens of township business owners and residents met over breakfast at the Regional Chamber’s Good Morning Liberty breakfast — sponsored by Project Management Industrial Services — to get a clear picture of the state of the township.

Township Administrator Pat Ungaro told those in attendance that a land dispute holding up a multimillion-dollar building project in the township has likely been resolved.

Ungaro has said the BT Group LLP, Altoona, Pa., is looking to tear down the vacant Ramada Inn building at 4255 Belmont Ave. and build in its place two large stores.

Ungaro said that he could not officially announce what stores would be developed on the site but that they are major retailers, and the project would be worth between $7 million and $10 million.

The project hinges upon installation of a service road and traffic light between the former hotel and the current Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation building, which sits adjacent to the hotel. The Ohio Department of Transportation has approved plans for the light and service road.

MVEDC and those planning to purchase the building had not been able to agree on a purchase price for the strip of land, but Ungaro said that has changed.

“I can’t say it’s a done deal but they have made so much progress that I feel comfortable in saying it will be a done deal soon,” he said.

Ungaro said plans call for the buyer of the hotel to purchase the MVEDC building and possibly lease the facilities back to the MVEDC for an undisclosed amount.

Ungaro told breakfast attendees that another major change will be the demolition of the former Kmart building on Belmont Avenue. There are no plans for the 11 acres of land, but Ungaro said its location will help see to it that it does not remain vacant for long.

“This will likely be the hottest real estate in Liberty Township,” he said. “There is a lot of interest in that property.”

Ungaro also spoke on the ongoing Wal-Mart project at the Liberty Plaza on Belmont. The current building is being torn down and Wal-Mart will begin building a supercenter sometime in late March. The new store is slated to open at the end of the year or in early 2009.

Ungaro said it was difficult persuading Wal-Mart to come to the township, but the hard work will pay off with growth across the board once the store has opened.

“The thing about Wal-Mart is when you get them to come in they become a magnet for a lot of other big projects. I thought last year was going to be our great year, but this year will be our great year,” he said.

jgoodwin@vindy.com