Mahoning commissioners approve plan for bridge

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Mahoning County commissioners have approved a $225,624 agreement with GPD Associates of Akron for preliminary-design engineering services for replacement of the narrow, 1930s-vintage Division Street Bridge over the Mahoning River in conjunction with the $650 million V&M Star Steel expansion project.

The commissioners also voted to authorize issuance of $4 million worth of recovery zone economic development bonds toward exterior restoration of the deteriorated century-old county courthouse on Market Street.

They also approved issuance of $2,950,000 of the same type of bonds for replacement of the chillers at the county-owned Oakhill Renaissance Place.

Oakhill is the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center and the home of the county’s Department of Job and Family Services, Veterans’ Service Commission and coroner’s office and of the city health department and Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership.

The recovery zone bonds are part of the federal stimulus program, under which the county will be able to subsidize its interest payments through contributions from the federal government, Commissioner John A. McNally IV said.