Westlawn to be opened to businesses

Industrial complex set to break ground in the coming months

WARREN -- A proposed industrial park on the city's southwest side is set to break ground in a few months, aimed at attracting distribution and light industrial businesses.

More than 40 residents attended a meeting in city council chambers Monday to hear about plans for the property in the former Westlawn neighborhood, which for years was populated by housing projects that became an eyesore and were demolished.

Mike Martof, managing director with West Warren Development LLC, said the Westlawn project located near Deemer Park would be the site for manufacturing and distribution businesses.

He said the initial project of 100,000 square feet would be an investment of $10 million to $12 million. Over the years that could grow to 1 million square feet, he said.

"We are hoping to bring in companies to take over that site by late 2024 or early 2025. We are developing that area for distribution and light industrial. There will be concrete buildings, which will have a 30- to 50-year lifespan," Martof said, indicating companies have shown interest in locating there.

Martof said Trumbull County needs such industrial space.

Sixth Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold said she is always being asked by residents about what is being done in the Westlawn area.

"Many people are excited and want to know if there will be one main company or several," she said.

Martof said there will be one main large building with as many as eight to 12 tenants inside the industrial park. These shipping and light industrial ventures would be similar to Amazon, rather than steel industry businesses, he noted.

"It is important that we work to revitalize our city and increase economic development. We can have a beautiful building there to help enhance the neighborhoods. We need something there," Saffold said, indicating the property sat vacant for decades.

Michael Keys, director of community development for Warren, said the property for the industrial area was held by the city and the schools, and was sold with assistance from the Western Reserve Port Authority for $195,000.

He said a light industrial park would be similar to what is currently located near Sferra Boulevard off North River Road, which houses several businesses.

Keys said West Warren Development and the businesses located at the site off Martin Luther King Boulevard and Nevada Avenue will include improvements to the roads and other infrastructure,

Martof said truck traffic will be coming in and out of the site.

Saffold said she hopes the companies would be willing to have dialogue sessions with the residents of the nearby neighborhoods.

Resident Paul Yannucci said: "We need to grow the city back to what it once was."