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Port authority moves on property developments

WARREN — The Western Reserve Port Authority, which earlier this year acquired the former McGuffey Plaza on Youngstown’s East Side for redevelopment, plans to purchase an outparcel and building at the site, too.

A board-approved resolution Wednesday gives Anthony Trevena, port authority executive director, permission to acquire the property on North Garland Avenue for $47,750 from Rockbrook Business Services LLC.

Also, the board agreed to accept a grant that will be used to help expand broadband service in some underserved areas of Trumbull County.

It was in April when the port authority acquired more than 20 acres at 709 and 735 N. Garland Ave. for $162,250 from D&E Holdings LLC.

The land, Trevena said, would be “attractive for light manufacturing (or) distribution or fulfillment operations because of its freeway access.”

Rockbrook Business Services was formed in 2015 by Ra’Cole Taltoan of Youngstown, according to the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.

The acquisition was among several items before the board aimed at returning land in the city to productive use, including one that allows the port authority to use $200,000 from Youngstown to manage and oversee capital improvement projects in the city’s 4th Ward.

“I’m excited about this opportunity. This is a great concept by Councilman (Mike) Ray … we hope other council members can follow suit and we’re in the process of meeting with them to provide that service to other wards,” Trevena said.

The focus will be on property acquisition, renovation and revitalization and on vacant properties, Trevena said, along Mahoning Avenue, a main corridor on the city’s West Side.

The funding is from the $14 million American Rescue Plan allocation city council gave its members — $2 million each — specifically for projects in the seven wards. The city’s board of control is expected to vote on the issue today.

“An organization like the port is great. They have an economic development arm, this is right up their alley,” Ray, D-4th Ward said.

Already along Mahoning Avenue in the ward, the port authority has sold buildings and land at 1588 and 1586 Mahoning Avenue — the former Dave’s Auto Parts store — to Voyager Specialty Coffee and Teas, a coffee and tea wholesaler, to relocate its production line and distribution center from Canfield.

Also along the corridor, but in the 5th Ward, the port authority in March acquired the former Clark Bar and Billiard’s property, 3143 Mahoning Ave., from the Mahoning County Land Bank.

On Wednesday, the board agreed to hire Declan Construction of Brookfield for $439,000 to improve the building, which includes two second-story apartments.

“It’s a pretty extensive rehab. That particular building will be brought totally up to code,” and the apartments will be renovated, Trevena said. A building in the rear also will be torn down.

“We really think that property has good potential for future use … and we will be soliciting and looking for those who have the best ideas for that building” to return it to productive use, Trevena said.

The board also agreed to accept a $49,970 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission that will be used to expand broadband workforce development and services in the region.

The funding is for the Trumbull County Broadband Preliminary Engineering Study, which will look at a proposed fiber-optic loop designed to provide high-speed broadband service to four underserved communities in Trumbull County: Warren, Niles, Howland and Weathersfield.

Nick Chretien, planning and regional development manager for the port authority, has said part one of the two-part project would develop a recommended network of high-speed routes. Part two would develop the best practices for deployment and recommended public / private partnerships to advance implementation.

A $30,000 local match is being provided by the communities. The work builds off a previous study by Eastgate Regional Council of Governments of broadband capabilities in the region.

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