WARREN, Ohio - The future of Dana Street in Warren remains uncertain as City Council prepares to vote next week on whether to reopen the road, which has been closed since 2016.

Christopher Alan, owner of AutoParkit, says reopening Dana would directly threaten his company’s ability to operate and expand. His business spans both sides of the street, and he argues that public access would create safety hazards and undo years of investment.

“It’s not a truck route. It’s never been a truck route, and turning it into a truck route now, when you have somebody who’s investing millions of dollars in what were blighted properties, makes no sense,” Alan said.

Alan says his company has spent millions revitalizing properties along Dana Street, paying for improvements and repairs he claims the city has not covered. He added that keeping the street closed is critical to securing the AutoParkit campus.

“I take care of everything that happens here, including the trash that’s dumped on the street and the repairs that have been done on the street,” Alan said. “We’ve had break-ins, we’ve had to patch asphalt. I’ve paid for all of that.”

Alan has warned that if council votes to reopen Dana Street, his company may leave Warren altogether. “We’ll have to leave,” he said. “We’ll have to find a contiguous piece of property where we can do everything. I can’t have a public street going through the middle of my business.”

Councilwoman Tiffany Stanford, who chairs the Traffic Committee, says Alan’s concerns have been heard, but the city has a responsibility to consider everyone affected.

“We do appreciate his investment into our city,” Stanford said. “At the same time, I feel that we’ve been more than fair. The road has been closed for eight years… It is the city’s responsibility to keep all of Warren safe.”

Stanford noted that residents and nearby businesses have repeatedly pushed for the street to reopen, citing truck congestion in residential areas and safety concerns. She said council has been patient with the ongoing closure, but now wants a permanent resolution.

“We are scheduled to do the vote on the next council meeting, which is next Wednesday,” Stanford said. “I’ve asked the law director to look into seeing if we can do legislation so that we can end this every-90-day cycle that we’re in.”

The final decision could determine not only the future of Dana Street, but also whether Alan’s growing business remains in Warren.