Youngstown’s mayor said the proposed project may set a positive precedent for Girard,

Youngstown’s mayor said the proposed project may set a positive precedent for Girard, Youngstown and the entire Mahoning Valley.

GIRARD — Girard officials said they will meet Monday afternoon with Youngstown officials to try reach an agreement over the proposed V&M Star expansion.

Girard council meet for about two hours behind closed Saturday to discuss their plan.

Tom Grumley, Girard’s fourth ward councilman, was designated as council’s spokesperson after the meeting.

“Nothing has been decided,” he said.

V&M Star officials want 80 acres in Girard to become part of Youngstown, The company wants its Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard plant to be part of Youngstown.

The city recently bought the 80 acres and V&M has said it will reimburse the city for the property at a cost of about $5 million.

Grumley he arrived at the meeting late because he was working. But afterward, he said, “Things are looking up.”

He said he could not reveal any details of the talks.

But he said the plan under consideration is to move forward and not to return to the negative times in the Valley.

“We want the expansion,” he said.

No time was announced for the meeting Monday, but he expected it would be in the afternoon.

Mayor James Melfi and some councilmen left the Girard city hall without commenting. He could not be reached later by phone.

Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams said that he did not want to get into specifics of talks but said they could set a very positive precedent for the Girard, Youngstown and the entire Mahoning Valley.The area, the mayor said, is one entity and an agreement would help both communities.

Girard Council members have indicated they favor the boundary change.

V&M officials have indicated that it wants a decision by next Friday or would look elsewhere for a site for a $970 million project.

The company has not said why it wants the property that is now in Girard.

wilkinson@vindy.com