Staff photo / Chris McBride Warren business owner Christopher Alan addresses Warren City Council’s Traffic and Safety Committee Monday, discussing his business investments and the Dana Street closure in the Golden Triangle.

WARREN — City Council’s Traffic and Safety Committee convened Monday to discuss updates on the ongoing Dana Street closure and related infrastructure projects in the Golden Triangle area.

The meeting, chaired by Councilwoman Tiffany Stanford, D-5th Ward, said there will be a determination by council on when to bring the matter of whether to close Dana Street to another vote. The meeting also featured conversations centering on truck traffic, resident concerns, an update on proposed developments and reasonings for delays.

Community Development Director Michael Keys, who is overseeing the Golden Triangle projects, provided a detailed history of the infrastructure plan, which he says began in 2012, predating the arrival of local business owner Christopher Alan.

“We started looking at what we’re doing up there, long before Mr. Alan came into town,” Keys said, discussing that the plan addresses longstanding issues with outdated infrastructure. He noted that the Golden Triangle, Trumbull County’s second-largest industrial hub with over 2,000 jobs, faces challenges with truck traffic because of narrow roads and tight turning radii.

Keys outlined three key projects currently out for bid, one of which is related to improvements at the Paige and Dana intersection, resurfacing Bronze Road, and reconfiguring the Larchmont intersection. Keys explained that the projects aim to streamline truck routes and minimize traffic through residential areas. However, delays have stalled progress, as bids opened on September 5 were incomplete, forcing a rebid. “The federal government will not reimburse any of the grant dollars until all three are under contract,” Keys said, attributing delays to the federal government, also adding they’re awaiting federal funding.

Council members raised pointed questions about the project’s’ timeline and community impact.

Councilman Todd Johnson, I-1st Ward, expressed concern about the reliability of federal grants, given recent threats to rescind such funds. “We know what HUD threats are under, and this is the same federal government that’s pulling back funds,” Johnson said.

He also asked Keys whether businesses had been surveyed recently to gauge their stance on the Dana Street closure, suggesting a new survey to balance resident concerns with business needs. “It would help us as representatives if we had solid data documented,” Johnson said.

Councilman Andrew Herman, D-2nd Ward, shared these concerns, questioning the lack of a formal truck traffic study. “You said that we have studied the traffic flow in the Golden Triangle,” Herman said, to which Keys clarified, “I don’t know that I said we studied the traffic flow. We met with the businesses and asked, ‘What is your problem?'” Herman also talked about resident complaints, saying that calls to city officials often go unanswered, causing citizens of Warren to then direct those concerns to council members. Keys offered to create a study for getting feedback from residents and said complaints can be forwarded to him.

Local business perspectives added complexity to the discussion.

AUTOParkit owner Christopher Alan defended his contributions to the area, saying his business has paid thousands in back taxes from previous owners and has invested in landscaping and infrastructure upgrades.

“I paid for everything that we’ve done on Dana Street, including things that the city should have paid for,” Alan said, refuting claims that taxpayers funded his improvements. He argued that the current truck routes via Griswold Street and Bronze streets adequately serve the area, dismissing allegations of excessive truck traffic.

Gerald Kerchofer, operations manager with Bloom Industry, voiced concerns about what he said is a recurring issue of truck congestion that he says impacts the residential areas.

“We’re doing 50 trucks a week, just that one building,” Kerchofer said, advocating for reopening Dana Street to alleviate traffic on Atlantic Street, a designated truck route. He mentioned safety risks, noting that trucks navigate residential areas at 6:30 a.m. when children are present. “I believe opening that road up would make it a lot more feasible for the community,” Kerchofer said.

Resident Ken Beechler expressed frustration over the prolonged closure, questioning why taxpayers should bear costs for road repairs. Keys clarified, “The city’s not putting a dime into Dana Street since Mr. Alan’s been on that property.” He also assured that any damage caused by Alan’s operations would be his responsibility to repair. Alan also denied those allegations, saying that his business has paid for improvements the city should have.

Stanford concluded the meeting by cautioning the need for further data. “We will have a follow-up vote soon,” she said, directing Keys to survey businesses and residents to inform a decision on whether to keep Dana Street closed.