Annexation approved for fireworks store in Youngstown

By Sean Barron

STRUTHERS — Mahoning County commissioners have approved the annexation of an Austintown Township parcel to the city of Youngstown for the construction of a B.J. Alan Fireworks Co. store.

During their meeting Thursday in Struthers City Hall, commissioners approved annexing 6.41 acres of vacant land near Meridian and Lanterman roads, allowing B.J. Alan to build a $1.5 million Phantom Fireworks facility. The property has been used largely as an illegal dumping area.

Under the form of annexation B.J. Alan applied for, Youngstown would collect 2.75 percent income tax from the new store’s employees. The township’s share of property- tax revenue would diminish as the city’s share increased over 12 years.

B.J Alan has proposed to close a location in the former Greyhound bus station near its downtown Youngstown headquarters, which has 20 to 25 workers during peak season and is open on an on-call basis during the off season. By contrast, the new store would be open all year and have as many as 50 full-time employees around the July 4 holiday, company officials have said.

In addition, the new site is to have double the retail space, as well as easy access from Interstates 80 and 680.

In other action, commissioners approved a resolution to buy four vehicles totaling $76,600 for the Martin P. Joyce Juvenile Justice Center in Youngstown.

The three new Chevrolet Impalas and one Dodge Caravan are needed to replace the fleet of older Ford Crown Victorias, many of which have high mileage, are hazardous and in disrepair, noted Richard Vendetti, the justice center’s subsidy supervisor.

The 2010 vehicles will be used, among other things, to transport juvenile offenders to and from Mahoning County and Department of Youth Services facilities throughout Ohio, Vendetti explained.

Also at the session, commissioners approved an agreement between the county engineer’s office and the Ohio Department of Transportation to take part in ODOT’s cooperative purchasing program. The move would allow the office to get road salt, traffic-zone paint and sign faces in bulk at reduced prices, Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti noted.