Liberty’s future looks bright, officials say
Wal-Mart on Belmont Avenue should open this summer.
LIBERTY — Township officials say the future here looks good with potential economic development, volunteer and police programs in place.
Township Administrator Pat Ungaro, Trustee Jodi Stoyak and police Chief Richard Tisone spoke to members of the Regional Chamber and members of the community Friday at the annual “Good Morning Liberty” meeting.
Ungaro said development in the township is moving slowly, but interest is high and consistently growing. The key to continually increasing the level of interest in the township, he said, is the Belmont Avenue corridor.
Ungaro said the township must continue redevelopment at the south end of Belmont, improve the infrastructure on the north end and marketing efforts for all areas in the middle. As an example, Ungaro points to a $1 million sewer project at the north end.
Ungaro said access to freeways also works in favor of the township for business and residential growth. Potential residents working in areas such as Cleveland and Pittsburgh appreciate fast freeway access, he said.
“We have probably some of the best access in the Valley. Access to the interstate is key,” he said. “We still have a lot of challenges, and we are making progress.”
Some of those challenges, Ungaro said, will be the future of the former Ramada Inn property, which is in a demolition phase, and the former Holiday Inn, which was purchased by Travaglini Enterprises late last year.
A press release said a Wal-Mart representative would update the development of the store being built on Belmont. That did not happen, but Ungaro said the structure is enclosed, its utilities are on, and it should open this summer.
Stoyak gave an update on the continued success of volunteer programs such as Liberty in Bloom, which plants flowers and maintains various green spaces in the township using money generated through a recycling program. The group of volunteers has grown from three to about 30 over the last few years.
Stoyak said the Liberty Historical Society is going strong and planning to develop a community center in the near future. She also said the township is looking better after implementation of certain home-rule regulations.
Tisone said the township purchased its first police dog earlier this week. He said the dog and its handler, Officer Ray Buhala, are training and will be on the job full time by May.
Tisone also said the police department has finished major upgrades to its dispatch center, making it possible for the department to handle calls for multiple departments. The newly appointed chief said he hopes smaller police departments will come to the township for dispatching.
jgoodwin@vindy.com