WARREN — City Council on Wednesday authorized the mayor and safety-service director to transfer a small city-owned parcel to the Western Reserve Port Authority for which council approved a 10-year property tax abatement.

The parcel is for a proposed $19.5 million to $33 million aluminum extrusions manufacturing and warehouse project that is expected to create 70 new full-time jobs in the city’s Westlawn area, which is the former site of Western Reserve High School at 2668 Front St. SW. The site also was once used for the Westlawn housing projects.

The two ordinances sponsored by Councilman Ron White, D-7th Ward, advanced economic development efforts on the city’s west side. One part of the legislation allows the transfer of the remaining parcel from the former city office site at 418 Main St. to the Port Authority, giving the authority control over all three parcels for potential development. The property had been partially transferred in 2017, but the final piece, which was used as a driveway, was held back until a clear end user emerged.

The second piece of legislation allows for a tax incentive agreement between Trumbull County and Everest Aluminum LLC/West Warren Acquisition LLC for the construction of approximately 152,000-square-feet of warehouse and manufacturing space on roughly 50 acres at the former Westlawn industrial site.

The project carries a minimum investment of $19.52 million and a maximum of $33.025 million that consists of new construction, machinery and equipment. The company plans for the project to be completed by December.

The agreement calls for the creation of 70 new full-time, permanent jobs within 36 months with hiring phased in as 33 jobs in year one, 19 in year two and 18 in year three. The new positions are projected to generate more than $5 million in additional annual payroll.

A clawback provision requires repayment of abated taxes if job creation falls below 75% of the promised levels in any three-year period.

Mayor Doug Franklin deferred part of his speaking time to David Wiley of Lake-to-River Economic Development, who addressed council in support of the incentives.

“As the company continues to do due diligence on various sites throughout the state and the country, moving forward with this (legislation) will help us at JobsOhio and for the other competitive offers,” Wiley said.

Wiley also said that Warren is on the company’s short list of promising locations and that a competitive incentive package is essential to secure the project against offers from other communities.

Economic Development Director Michael Keys said the incentives package, which still requires approval by the Trumbull County Commissioners after a public hearing, is designed to make Warren competitive. The project represents phase one of a larger plan — called West Warren Industrial Park — that could eventually occupy most of the old Westlawn site across three phases.

In caucus, Keys clarified that the school districts were properly notified as required by state law, but have no veto power unless the abatement exceeds 75%. According to Keys, there were no objections received from the Warren City School District or Trumbull Career & Technical Center, who both would receive property taxes from the site.