Several years ago, as a member of Town One Streetscapes, I worked on a plan on a feasiblity study on a hiking path from Poland woods all the way down Yellow Creek to the Mahoning river. All the mayors were invited and all the yes, yes, yes were heard and nothing. Today, one of those attendees called me up and directed me to a Phil Kidd FB shout-out for a biking trail through Youngstown, picking up Lowellville and Trumbull county. I'm gettin tired of these great ideas and no one seems to have drive to get her done. Just like the Lodges I suggested for Mill Creek park? All the locals would rather be anti-fracking. Why should I bother anymore when my associates are doing so well in land ownership? Probably because I see this Valley as being a gem when it comes to its land, it is the people that I find completely dependent.
If the hipsters of Youngstown really want a bike trail, they need to work at it, and if they do, it may not be as insurmountable as a pie-in-the-sky dream. Of course we are talking about a class of people who always had things easy and given to them. Here is how they can gain critical mass on a bike trail:
The City has five inconspicuous acreage that are old abandoned rail lines on the south bank of the Mahoning. These parcels added together would give the trail significant acreage and significant miles for a trail. Begin with the two parcels between the South avenue bridge and the old B&O (53-062-301.01(4.9 acres), 53-046-0-311.01(5.2 acres). The City also owns 53-031-0-178.01 (3acres) , 53-036-0-072.01 (2.9 acres) and 53-036-0-072.01 (4.6 acres). The City landbank held this acreage for decades generating NO taxes whatsoever. Defend Youngstown can request these parcels totaling 20.6 ACRES. These acres would give this project a tremendous kickstart and additional parcels of right -of-way can be requested from private owners that follow this abandoned line. This line leads into bike trails existing at both ends, not to say tweaking is not going to be necessary. This critical mass has also a hidden asset, THE MINERAL RIGHTS ($100,000) that will initially fund this project, if it isn't sucked up in entitled salaries by the hipsters. And, once the royalties flow, more funds for upkeep will be available. Bottomline, this scenario is a God send startup and can be implemented immediately if only Defend Youngstown really wants to work and not just bloviate.
Additional info.
1. Castlo has several miles of abandoned rail right-of-way and they have already expressed interest in a trail.
2. Underneath (hidden asset) the abandoned rail line is an abundance of gravel to use for base of a trail.
4. These trails can lead into downtown Youngstown, Struthers and Lowellville, infusing traffic and business into their jurisdictions.
A no brainer, almost completed route:
1. Going east from Performance park, most of the land is held by Allied. But...Ohio Edison has a right of way until Struthers where the City of Struthers has acreage along the Mahoning. After Struthers is lands held by Castlo and the rest is CSX into Lowelville.
2. Going northwest to the Trumbull line is mostly City of Youngstown lands.
I think the Green Party should make this a project of theirs, I'll call Jim. I have already invested time in this rough draft.
"Revival!"
At the Jazz gig last night, former Judge Kerrigan and Father Peters want help in the Mahoning river bike trail I laid out months ago, with NO occupiers lifting a finger to do.
They have asked for my study and I said I will give it to them.
TT, need your help in sending this work here to Father Peters of Sacred Heart, he has my number, but I already sent it to Kerrigan who will see the Mayor. So if you can get this to father Peters, it would help :)
You are talking about the former Lake Erie & Eastern Railroad right of way. Yes it would be possible to start at Performance Place, climb the embankment to get on the ROW, then cross over Crescent Street on the bridge and follow the line all the way to Pike Street. Then back down to Oak Hill. With a little bit of street running to West Avenue to Tod and right down into Mill Creek Park. Also at West Ave. one could go along the river to the B&O Station.
Ron, why would any occupiers lift a finger to help you after they have berated, belittled, and trashed on this site?
just about every "occupier" and liberal has been driven from this site.....so now have Rick and all the conservative pro-frackers on this site build
the bike trail and zip line....
Us occupiers will wait for you little red hens to build it and then we'll use it!!!!!!!!
You have summed up the situation precisely Dennis. Your ilk will just sit on your butts, allow someone else to do the work and then swoop in and enjoy the fruits of others labor. Then you wonder why the cards seem to be stacked against the "disadvantaged". Well with an attitude like that it is no wonder.
Ron I just blasted off an email to Father Peters incorporating two of your posts that give details about the bike trail. Hope it helps.
I always can count on you tt thanx . Your video was mind opening.
My pleasure my friend. Oh and what did you think of the video I linked to at Amphitheater?
Ricky, again why should we help your kind who do nothing but spit on us and then expect us to lift a finger to help you?
We're not that stupid.....
Where are our leaders???? Take me to your leader?????
Dennis, Rick, can we put away the politics and work together?
Let's Shout Out to D'Avignon, he has made the old "City" Landbank his Baby. His office says they have their landbank and the County has the county's. The Leadership, when begging for a County Landbank said they will unite---not happening folks.
D'Avignon, release this dormant land to the PEOPLE! We want a bike path and hiking trail now! Either you lead...follow....or get out of the way. It is a new beginning now, Youngstown land has value now, and not because of YOU.
Copy: Mayor McNally
I spit on no one! I have spent my entire life taking care of myself and not taking advantage of others. I do my own thing and just expect everyone else to do the same. You on the other hand come back here spewing your hate again, obviously having learned nothing in your absense. What the hell have you ever done of any value in your pitiful life?
If liberalism is all about insulting fellow Americans and being full of hate, THANK GOD I AM A CONSERVATIVE!!!!!!!!!
A hell of a lot more than you...
Man.............."can't we just all get along?" :o :o :'( :'(
Ron, that means giving in to the forces of darkness. Not going to do it. I will stand for my principles.
Ricky has the same principles as the Unabomber.....
What happened to the focus?
Ever since Dennis returned the level of civility on this forum has plummeted. All he does is hurl personal insults. Unabomber?
"Come together.......right now..................over me!"
Rick and Dennis, we can do it! You can do it! We must do it!
The common goal is the the Bike Path, Walking trail. D'Avignon, is laughing while we can't even get along to begin the project. D'Avignon wants deflection.
rr, you have hurled insults at me and vise versa. i always say, "if you cannot take it, do not dish it out".
This post sadly is an example or microcosym of what is wrong with Youngstown and why maybe we need to let some of us die off before a new wave of producers replace us.
Most here on this site will not even come to the forefront and say, "Yeah, let us build a bikepath and stop crying about it." Now you watch, most here will spew any and all the reasons why they won't lift a finger. But you know what, if it does get built, it would be because of 20%. It would definitely be built if we were lucky enough to have more go-getters, rather than US, Today's Youngstowners?
iwasthere. You deserve it. Remember you actually did something more than just back and forth on a forum. People may soon forget what you say, but never forget what you do.
rr remember it is tit for tat. i speak the truth and you did not like it. so stop complaining abt being attack on a personal level esp when you do it. i never whined abt you attacking me. it is part of life, a give and take. my mom used to say to me, "if you cannot say anything nice abt someone, do not say anything". i still falter at this from time to time esp when it comes to you, rr. have a nice day.
Ron, you are correct....we need new young movers and shakers who can work together....
I am at that age I am too set in my ways and have no desire to work with ultra-conservative libertarians like Ricky....
Those of us who can do things without government help must scare the crap out of you left wingers. I am an example of what people can do themselves, and if more people found out that they are also empowered to do the same you would lose your base of dependent citizens.