It stinks

[NJxxJon]

Official says Wal-Mart did survey on plaza site
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Township trustees will ask the state for funds to combat flooding.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

LIBERTY — Even though he stopped short of calling it a done deal, township Administrator Patrick Ungaro again expressed confidence that a Wal-Mart superstore will be coming to the Liberty Plaza.

Ungaro said at Monday's township trustees meeting that last week the company conducted a survey and an environmental study on the property at 3551 Belmont Ave. Progress is being made toward bringing the store to the area, he said, echoing statements he made to The Vindicator last week.

If the deal is approved, Wal-Mart would occupy the site of the former Ames and Phar-Mor stores.

Ungaro noted that the board of Forum Health will have to approve the deal before it becomes official. Meanwhile, Fashion Bug and a few other businesses in the plaza have received notices to vacate in 30 days, he added.

Forum Health, which is leasing space in the plaza, has five years left on its lease. Forum officials are to meet this week to discuss the situation, though Ungaro was unable to say when the meeting will take place.

Ungaro and some other township officials support the project because they think the addition of a big-box store will help revitalize much of the Belmont Avenue corridor and lead to future growth. A large store such as Wal-Mart also will be a boon to the area because Liberty is accessible to three major freeways, which will make it unlikely the store's addition will create traffic problems, Ungaro predicted.

"Other projects are predicated on Wal-Mart's getting started," he said.


Flood-control project

In other action, trustees passed a resolution requesting about $98,700 from the Ohio Public Works Commission for a storm-water management project to ease flooding in some parts of the township. Ungaro said adding a retention pond should be part of the project's first phase.

During heavy rains, Goodwill Industries, Midas Auto Service and a few other businesses near Belmont Avenue and Gypsy Lane have been flooded, and the runoff goes toward Fifth Avenue, Ungaro noted.

Also at the session, police Chief Anthony Slifka announced that his department and all others in the county will work with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to step up patrols in areas with high traffic fatalities. A main problem area in the township is state Route 193 from Gypsy Lane to the Vienna Township line, Slifka said.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Township trustees will ask the state for funds to combat flooding.

By SEAN BARRON

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

LIBERTY — Even though he stopped short of calling it a done deal, township Administrator Patrick Ungaro again expressed confidence that a Wal-Mart superstore will be coming to the Liberty Plaza.

Ungaro said at Monday's township trustees meeting that last week the company conducted a survey and an environmental study on the property at 3551 Belmont Ave. Progress is being made toward bringing the store to the area, he said, echoing statements he made to The Vindicator last week.

If the deal is approved, Wal-Mart would occupy the site of the former Ames and Phar-Mor stores.

Ungaro noted that the board of Forum Health will have to approve the deal before it becomes official. Meanwhile, Fashion Bug and a few other businesses in the plaza have received notices to vacate in 30 days, he added.

Forum Health, which is leasing space in the plaza, has five years left on its lease. Forum officials are to meet this week to discuss the situation, though Ungaro was unable to say when the meeting will take place.

Ungaro and some other township officials support the project because they think the addition of a big-box store will help revitalize much of the Belmont Avenue corridor and lead to future growth. A large store such as Wal-Mart also will be a boon to the area because Liberty is accessible to three major freeways, which will make it unlikely the store's addition will create traffic problems, Ungaro predicted.

"Other projects are predicated on Wal-Mart's getting started," he said.

Flood-control project

In other action, trustees passed a resolution requesting about $98,700 from the Ohio Public Works Commission for a storm-water management project to ease flooding in some parts of the township. Ungaro said adding a retention pond should be part of the project's first phase.

During heavy rains, Goodwill Industries, Midas Auto Service and a few other businesses near Belmont Avenue and Gypsy Lane have been flooded, and the runoff goes toward Fifth Avenue, Ungaro noted.

Also at the session, police Chief Anthony Slifka announced that his department and all others in the county will work with the Ohio State Highway Patrol to step up patrols in areas with high traffic fatalities. A main problem area in the township is state Route 193 from Gypsy Lane to the Vienna Township line, Slifka said.

Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Even though he stopped short of calling it a done deal, township Administrator Patrick Ungaro again expressed confidence...


:no: NO WALMARTS. Another gone AMES