YOUNGSTOWN — Saying a proposal for an event center and cigar shop on the east end of downtown was incomplete, the city’s design review committee postponed a vote on it.

Arthur and Trina Thompson wanted approval Tuesday from the committee to build the two structures on the corner of East Boardman and East Federal streets.

But without submitting proper architectural drawings and plans, the committee deferred a vote on the project, saying it could be further discussed at the next meeting, July 1.

The proposal raised concerns from nearby business owners, particularly Penguin City Brewing Co.

After the meeting, Aspasia Lyras-Bernacki, co-owner of Penguin City, said her concerns were she knew nothing about the project — even though she permits Arthur Thompson to park his cigar trailer on her property weekly for his business for the past three years — and that she and Derrick McDowell, who owns the nearby Youngstown Flea, were interested in the location.

The city has owned the land since April 5, 2013, and there were plans a couple of years ago to put a pocket park there. However, those plans fell through.

“We expressed interest in that plot of land in 2020 and were told nothing would happen with it,” Lyras-Bernacki said. “I was concerned with what (the Thompsons) talked about because there isn’t a concrete plan. It’s a city-owned property. Shouldn’t this property have been offered to be sold publicly? How did it get to this point?”

The city board of control in December signed a five-year lease with a company owned by Trina Thompson for that location.

Lyras-Bernacki said her original interest in the land was for parking, but the location could be used for business space for Penguin City or another company if the city offered it.

“It has nothing to do with the entity and the business going in there,” she said. “If it was done the right way, I support it 100%.”

Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st Ward and a supporter of the project, said the other businesses shouldn’t be tearing apart the Thompson proposal.

“The more businesses you got doing similar things, the more people you got in your area,” he said. “It provides variety. You’ve got different options. That location wasn’t going to be there for anybody. It was going to be a pocket park. Businesses are supposed to support businesses.”

Oliver added: “How in the world is this little place a threat? How can you try to kill another business when you say you want people to come downtown?”

Arthur Thompson said his plan is for an upscale cigar bar in one building — about 40 feet by 56 feet — and an event center — about 40 feet by 80 feet. The facilities could host live entertainment both inside and outside, Thompson said.

Charles Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works and a design review committee member, said shortly after Arthur Thompson’s presentation, “I don’t know if there’s enough details for approval.”

Shasho said the project will help the east end of downtown, but “you’ve put the cart before the horse a little bit. There’s a lot more things that have to happen before you even get to this committee.”

Jonathan Imler, a committee member, said the aesthetics of the proposed buildings don’t fit in with the rest of the area.

“It looks like it belongs in a residential neighborhood and not in an industrial area,” he said. “It doesn’t match any of the buildings surrounding it. I like the idea of the project, but I’d like it to blend in better with the surrounding buildings.”

Nick Chretien, another committee member, said he was “excited to see someone looking at potential investment,” but the Thompsons need to provide information about facade treatments, finishes, building materials and the roof, among other concerns.

Bill D’Avignon, a committee member, said of the proposal: “This is a cartoon version of it.”

Nikki Posterli, a committee member and the mayor’s chief of staff, responded to D’Avignon, saying, “I wouldn’t go that far.”

Posterli, who supports the project, said the committee needs to vet projects like this before they are presented.

“What we can’t do is have applicants come here and then we pick apart the project,” she said.

Chretien said: “We’re not picking the project apart. We’re looking for facade treatment in terms of the final finishes and materials and roofline, scaling and height.”

Oliver said Arthur Thompson has been looking for a permanent location for his business for years.

“We finally found a place and other business owners are attacking him,” Oliver said. “How do you not see this as a positive?”