YOUNGSTOWN - Youngstown's plans for removing a dam along the Mahoning river may be headed to a courtroom if an agreement can't be reached with the property owner on its banks. 

The city and Ohio EPA are coordinating next steps for removing three low-head dams that trap sediment in the Mahoning River, which is all part of an Eastgate project to clean the water.

The city says they need the nearby land to move forward with the project by the Marshall Street bridge. 

“They're very low, low dams that trap sediment. The purpose of this is to clean the river up [from] over years of industrial use, and right now we just need getting access to the river, said Charles Shasho, Youngstown deputy director of public works.

When asking for land to start the removal process, one resident fought back. Landowner Ron Eiselstein said he's discussed a boardwalk that would allow access to the amphitheater with the city. But now he says the city won't move forward, citing EPA rules. 

Eiselstein also said talks about the project with the city have been underway for over a year. He said he spoke to Mayor Derrick McDowell as recently as last month about it. 

Here is a full statement from Eiselstein:

“Two Bridges has always made efforts to accommodate the dam removal for the Mahoning River State park.  Recently MS Consultants changed their plans for a permanent waterfront  easement in lieu of the temporary easement that would totally eliminate our plans for a public boardwalk that we have designed in conjunction with the City for the past year.  We believe that the EPA must be made aware of the issue and revert back to the original temporary easement.”


Now, Shasho is talking to the law director about next steps.

“We're going to follow the legal process to file an eminent domain action if we have to. We don't want to,” said Shasho. “We're going to follow the legal process to file an eminent domain action if we have to. We don't want to.”

Shasho says he's aware of Eiselstein's idea, but has never seen any formal plans.

“The environmental covenant that we are required to do to get this work done isn't going to allow any type of development within the riverbanks within 300 feet of the dam,” said Shasho.

Shasho also said since it is on private property, developing it is not their responsibility.

“It is not a municipal asset. So, it's not something we're going to build for a private developer,” said Shasho.

As for where the project stands, Eastgate is hoping the construction of all three dams that are being removed in Youngstown starts by mid next year. Here is the full statement from Justin Mondok, Director of Planning & Development with Eastgate Regional Council of Governments:

“Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is working with the City of Youngstown and Ohio EPA to coordinate next steps for removing three low-head dams on the Mahoning River. The City has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), with responses due March 6, and expects strong interest. After qualifications are reviewed, the City anticipates releasing a Request for Proposals (RFP) on April 1 to select a design-build team.

Since the project was awarded through Ohio EPA’s Water Resource Restoration Sponsor Program, much of the early work has focused on securing construction access and staging agreements with adjacent landowners. The City has made significant progress and expects to finalize remaining access needs.”