Youngstown trustees hear of delays on waterfront project

by Larry Austin
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, March 18, 2006

High water levels will delay work on the Waterfront Park Rehabilitation project in the village of Youngstown until Labor Day.

“There was at least a small hope that if the levels stayed down a little bit in the early spring, they could get at least the concrete work in and then come in after that,” Youngstown Mayor Neil Riordan said at a meeting of the Village Board of Trustees Thursday night. The trustees awarded the waterfront contract to Yarrusi Construction on the recommendation of village engineers TVGA Consultants. The final bid amount is $270,100. Once complete, the project will create a new south dock for Youngstown.

“Historically, the water levels are lowest at the end of December or first of January when they rise steadily until late June, early July, and start to fall again,” Trustee Fred Stephens said. “The current level is just above the level at which the concrete pour would have to be initiated.”

Riordan thanked village engineer Bob Gallucci of TVGA for his work on the waterfront project. The project is a go in the fall, “unless you can engineer lowering water levels,” Riordan said to Gallucci.

Other News

In other news at the meeting:

•Trustees Stephens and David Gifford expressed their intentions to run for office in the next village election, which is set for May 16. A pair of two-year seats on the board of trustees is up for vote. Trustee Tony Collard reported that Republican and Democratic caucuses are scheduled for March 24 at 6 p.m. in the village hall.

•The trustees discussed some positive business in the news that the Olde Fort Inn has been purchased by Tom Reese, innkeeper of the Red Coach Inn in Niagara Falls. “He’s working with the village for his occupancy permit,” Riordan said. “It’ll be open for lunch and dinners and he’s trying to target a May opening with a June grand opening, probably to tie in with a lot of the events at the Fort.

“We’re very, very pleased,” Riordan added. “Tom’s a consummate professional in that business, no question.”

•Stephens reported that the Youngstown Cold Storage underwent final environmental testing Thursday. Soil samples were taken, and a significant amount of asbestos was found in the roof and pipes, he said.

Stephens declined to reveal a cost estimate for asbestos abatement, “because of heart conditions that may exist on the board.” The village could seek reimbursement assistance from the State Department of Environmental Conservation.

“At this point, the money we’re getting from the DEC only pays for the testing,” Stephens said. “It doesn’t cover any remedial action. So that would be a separate project.” He added that it is possible asbestos removal would be left up to the private sector entity that ultimately acquires the property.

•The 13th annual Nancy Price 5K Power Run is set for Saturday, April 1, in the village. The race will start at 9:45 a.m. for walkers and skaters, followed by a 10 a.m. start for runners.

“We expect, hopefully, about 250 competitors for that day,” Riordan said. “It should be, as usual, a good day. We hope for good weather.”

The race, named in memory of the late Youngstown Recreation director, benefits the Nancy Price Scholarship Fund.

•Police Chief Chris Salada reported on vehicle break-ins in the village and reminds residents to lock their cars.

“We have an issue, we want to at least alert the public,” Riordan said.

Riordan added, “We’ve got to put the hammer down” on the growing public nuisance of skateboarders in parking lots and places of public assembly. Several skateboarders were outside village hall during the meeting. “I’m worried about a car backing into one of those kids coming through,” Riordan said.