Debate goes on about Cafaro Company’s Enterprise Park

Since it was approved to start breaking ground in Trumbull County, Cafaro Company’s Enterprise Park has been a big topic of debate.

It is going to be spanning 3.3 million square feet and it is going to list about 200 retailers, restaurants, professional services, among other things.

The $367 million project has some people supporting the construction due to the location, job opportunity with over 2,000 new jobs and the money it will bring for the county. Others are opposed due to one circumstance; it will be built over the local wetlands.

President and CEO of the Youngstown Warren Regional Chamber Tom Humphries is one on the support side of the construction of this facility due to county support and location.

“The highway infrastructure supports it, and we have seen success in other area’s that they’re replicating,” he said. “It’s where the county does a lot of their shopping, and it’s in a central location. They consider Eastwood campus the downtown of Trumbull County.”

The replicating Humphries mentioned is another Enterprise Park in Youngstown. He mentioned the success of that was overwhelming.

He made it clear he did not have any part on the location being picked out, but he was familiar with what Cafaro was trying to do due to serving 25 years on the board of the Mercy Health Care System and was involved in strategic planning and was the Chair for 10+ years.

“As an organization, we support the location of this facility. It’s been approved by the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers,” Humphries said.

Humphries mentioned the concern for the local opposition, but said he respects their concern.

“There’s always going to be a concern for opposition, but I believe the majority of the community supports this effort,” Humphries explained. “We support the small group’s opinion, but it’s already been signed off. They looked over the location and approved of it.

“The aesthetics of the whole area is going to improve. It will be well maintained. Right now, some of the wetlands are all marsh. I believe those will be cleaned up and will be very appealing. The facilities be underground and maintained and the wetlands will become part of the facilities. It will be pleasing and accommodating to all parties.”

Ohio EPA Media Coordinator Anthony Chenault explained further in a statement.

“Ohio EPA understands the sensitive and high-quality nature of the Mosquito Creek corridor and worked with the applicant to minimize impacts to the floodplain forest wetlands and streams, and that provides long-term production to these wetlands and streams.”

There are some who are not so certain, however. Dr. Timothy Madson of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History said in a previous interview in Dec. 2018 he is concerned about salamanders in the wetlands. He explained the females depend on reproduction in the Mosquito Creek drainage. He also expressed concern over the salamanders migrating to find a new mate which might hinder their chances at survival.

Matthew Vansuch, vice chairman of the Howland Township Board of Trustees, in the same interview believes protecting the environment and development are not mutually exclusive.

According to Cafaro Company’s Joe Bell, in the same interview, Cafaro would pay into a fund to create an additional 40 wetlands for a net gain of 24.

Kent State sustainability manager Melanie Knowles was torn on the subject.

“Ideally, you want to protect it (the wetlands),” she said. “However, not knowing the specifics, I can’t speak to any of them.”

Bell had no further comment on the matter, stating, “It’s in the process of developing, and we can’t comment on it any further.”

 

For the approval from the EPA, visit here: edocpub.epa.ohio.gov/publicportal/ViewDocument.aspx?docid=1085692