V&M continues talks for land

By David Skolnick

The mayor expects the deal to get done in about 10 days.

YOUNGSTOWN — More negotiations are needed before V&M Star Steel can finalize a deal to purchase railroad property it needs for a proposed $970 million expansion, city officials say.

Discussions with Norfolk Southern about the relocation of a railroad line that runs through the site of V&M’s potential expansion are “moving forward,” said Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams.

City Finance Director David Bozanich said Feb. 12 that he expected the issue to be resolved in about 10 days.

On Wednesday, he wouldn’t give a timetable on resolving the issue.

“We’re still working away at it,” Bozanich aid. “I can’t say too much because of the sensitivity of the negotiations.”

But the mayor expects the deal to be finalized in less than two weeks.

“I believe it will come to a favorable resolution,” Williams said. “It’s progressing well. The rail discussions are moving forward.”

Attempts on Wednesday by The Vindicator to contact V&M President Roger Lindgren were unsuccessful.

The three-person city board of control — Williams, Bozanich and Law Director Iris Torres Guglucello — had expected to vote Feb. 12 on legislation related to the potential expansion of V&M.

That was postponed until today’s meeting. The vote will be postponed again.

The relocation of the railroad line is “critical to the project,” Bozanich has said.

Without the line relocation, V&M would have to make changes to the location of the potential expansion.

skolnick@vindy.com