Trending
WARREN -- Mayor Doug Franklin used his state of the city address at the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber's Good Morning, Warren event Friday to highlight many of the major development opportunities going on in the city.
Franklin started his speech by expressing excitement regarding the $4.3 million the city was awarded through the state of Ohio's Appalachian Community Grant Program.
The funds will be used to improve the downtown area near the river and several parks.
The Mahoning Avenue Corridor Revitalization Plan includes a new pedestrian bridge that spans the river from downtown to Perkins Park. Also, Burbank, Packard, Perkins and Bullhead parks will be improved with new streetscaping and sidewalks that connect the parks.
"We are so excited about this announcement because it directly ties into our downtown expansion plans and the overall development of the Mahoning River as a resource for promotional activity and recreation," Franklin said.
Franklin also thanked Warren City Council for its contribution of $6.2 million for other improvements throughout the city. He pointed to the Warren Community Amphitheatre which has received permanent restroom facilities and new fencing.
Franklin said other park projects along the Mahoning River will include a walking trail in Perkins Park, pickleball courts at Packard Park, a new playground at Packard Park to complement its splash pad and upgraded lighting at all of the parks.
Franklin said all of the work along the Mahoning River leads to a "key piece" of the city's downtown expansion plan -- the peninsula project.
"Years ago, 2012 to be exact, the city had the foresight to acquire several properties along West Market Street that were part of the old Martin Chevorolet properties knowing that control of this site would be very important to the future development of our city," he said. "The peninsula now becomes the focal point of our downtown expansion plan."
The peninsula project would add modern multi-family properties in the downtown area and establish a $150 million mixed-use project on the city's peninsula that could bring more than 200 housing units and retail space.
The peninsula project would consist of 100,000-square feet of office and retail space; a traditional hotel with meeting space; access to recreational opportunities, including a pedestrian bridge to Perkins Park; as well as a gateway to Warren's west side and the Tod Avenue corridor.
Fund for Warren's Future is hoping its peninsula project could provide newcomers to the Mahoning Valley, such as those working at places like Foxconn or Ultium Cells, a place to live, shop and recreate.
Franklin said with help from the Western Reserve Port Authority, a "very important" piece of the peninsula property which is an "integral part" of the plan is now under city control.
He said the grant announced by Gov. Mike DeWine will allow for the connection of the peninsula to Perkins Park and the amphitheater by a pedestrian bridge which will get the city closer to its goals.
"This is a very, very exciting prospect for our city and it will transform our whole downtown," he said.
Franklin also talked about the upcoming removal of the Summit Street Dam, which he said will be demolished this summer.
The removal will be a $3 million project.
"As we all know, the dams have played a crucial role in our city's history," Franklin said. "However, times have changed. It is becoming increasingly clear that the removal of the dams will unlock new opportunities for economic development and greatly increase the quality of life for our residents and the whole region."
Franklin said the removal of the Summit Street Dam will help with the restoration of natural river ecosystems, improve water quality and restore fish habitats.
"It will attract tourists interested in experiencing the natural beauty of a free flowing river and engaging in activities such as fishing, kayaking and bird watching," he said. "This will boost local businesses as well. It will create jobs in the tourism sector and increase property values ... along the riverfront areas."
Franklin also talked about Kimberly-Clark's $9.9 million purchase of 560 acres in Trumbull County.
The Texas-based Fortune 200 company which is well-known for such consumer brands as Kleenex, Cottonelle, Huggies, Depend and Kotex will have a manufacturing facility at the site which was formerly part of the 1,000-acre Republic Steel and RG Steel property.
"Although a portion of that site is in the city, Warren does supply the water and sewer infrastructure," Franklin said. "Along with all of our partners, we're working with Kimberly-Clark to develop next steps."
One of those next steps, which Franklin called the "most important," includes the creation of a joint economic development between the communities involved with the development so that "all of our communities can benefit from this massive, massive, historic investment," Franklin said.
"There's still a lot of work to do, but we're working on it every single day," he said. "I'm excited about a project of this magnitude right in our backyard."