AUTOParkit owner still committed to bringing jobs to Warren

AUTOParkit, the Warren company that designs and builds automated parking garages, was first introduced to city leaders about four years ago with the promise of jobs. But progress has been slow. 

The owner of AUTOParkit and Warren native, Chris Allen, was asked to meet with city leaders for an update on the facilities slow progress at the former Packard and GE Buildings. 

Allen says that he is still committed to Warren and that there is progress being made. 

"I'm still 100% committed to this town," said Allen. " You guys don't see stuff on the outside right now, but the investment we continue to make on the inside is significant." 

He said the company, so far, has invested just under $4 million into improving their Warren facilities. Saying roughly 18 months of litigation to purchase the former Packard plant delayed almost every aspect of their investment in the city.

The company has hired between 40- 60 employees. The majority of those jobs are engineers and architects, and their average monthly payroll is almost $250,000.

"That's over $2.5 million of payroll coming here. That's spendable dollars of people that are employed that are buying goods and doing other things," said Allen. 

Allen continued saying that the company is also under contract to build 2.400 stalls over the next 36 months.

That's more than $60 million worth of work they wanted to bring to Warren, but because of the litigation, they say, they had to begin the work elsewhere.

Even though delays have setback the company's plan, Allen says that he is still committed to Warren, Ohio. 

"Even though we got delayed and we got held up, and it cost us a bunch of money, our commitment is the same. I plan on bringing the jobs I said I would bring to Warren, Ohio," said Allen. "I plan on bringing my facilities for everything we build to Warren, Ohio." 

A significant part of Tuesday's conversation was communication as well as the continued closure of Dana Street, where AUTOParkit is located. 

Allen asked for the street to be closed some time ago to deter crime. 

The city's law director says from a legal standpoint, the road closure has expired and is technically illegal at this point.

He says, to keep the road closed council will need to take action every 90 days.

Council is asking in turn for AUTOParkit to provide them with continuous updates.