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VIENNA -- King Graves Road near the Youngstown Air Reserve Station should be moved farther north to provide more space between the road and buildings on the base, according to a study done by the Trumbull County Engineer's Office.
But it's a project that may never happen.
"We have this one in our back pocket," said Gary Shafer, deputy Trumbull County engineer, of the study, "and we understand the base personnel is working to take care of any clearance problem within the base itself."
The problem is a building built in 1995 is about five feet short of the minimum 86-foot road clearance requirement by the U.S. Department of Defense. But instead of moving the road, base personnel are working to resolve the issue "inside the fence," said Air Force Col. Don Wren, who commands the 910th Airlift Wing at the reserve station.
Shafer said that would likely mean the building will be moved.
Base officials said new defense standards were put in because of the 9/11 terror attacks and base security is always a priority.
The study showed the best of five available options would cost $4 million for construction and right-of-way acquisitions. Much like the feasibility study, Shafer said, all of this would be paid from federal money.
Three property owners would be involved if the relocation happens, but none of them would lose their houses, Shafer said. "It would be a matter of the relocated road being in their backyards," he said.
Most of the project would involve property now owned by the Western Reserve Port Authority, which is responsible for operating the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport next door.
If the road is relocated, the move would not disturb wetlands and King Graves the way it is now would remain intact to the entrance of the reserve station, Shafer said.
King Graves Road resident Brian Waddell, who owns 3 acres of neighboring property, said he didn't mind being disturbed by a feasibility study or the possibility of a relocated roadway.
"They wouldn't be taking anything away from my property. It would just mean a different turn out of my driveway," he said. "Besides, I never want to see anything happen to that air base."
King Graves Road has been relocated several times in the past to accommodate the base, the latest being in 1997 for a runway extension.
gvogrin@tribtoday.com