Trending
YOUNGSTOWN — Mitchell Joseph, developer of the stalled Chill-Can project, said he plans to complete the work and open a plant on the city’s East Side.
“Time is needed to complete the construction phase of the Youngstown complex and hire Valley residents so that we may begin to manufacture and distribute product,” Joseph said in a prepared statement issued by his attorney today.
Joseph didn’t say how much time is needed.
City officials on March 31 said Joseph, CEO of M.J. Joseph Development Corp., which owns the Chill-Can plant, had 60 days to construct a number of buildings and hire about 150 workers or the city would file a lawsuit. That lawsuit could seek to get back $1.5 million in water and wastewater funds given to the company, as well as repeal a 10-year tax abatement and about $400,000 the city paid to purchase properties for the project. The city could also seek to take ownership of the site.
In his statement, Joseph blamed construction delays largely caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. But, he added, adjustments have been made and he looks forward to the project.
Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said he’s heard all this before from Joseph and there were problems before the pandemic.
Law Director Jeff Limbian and Brian Kopp, Joseph’s lawyer, are to meet Friday to further discuss the issue.
For more, read Thursday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com