Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include that Gov. Mike DeWine has declared a state of emergency in Mahoning County.
WARREN, Ohio – Buoyed by state funding to remove low-head dams and improve parks, the Mahoning River’s recreation opportunities have been expanding.
On Monday, Gov. Mike DeWine joined several local mayors in rubber rafts, paddling along the waterway in Warren.
“One of the things we are finding around Ohio is people are rediscovering water,” DeWine said, adding that whether it is Lake Erie or one of the state’s many rivers, Ohioans are drawn to having fun on the water. “It’s just a great opportunity for many, many miles to get out and have fun.”
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin admitted the river was a little high and swollen due to Sunday’s storms that swept through the area, but it did not stop DeWine and the Mahoning River Mayors Coalition from having a “great experience” paddling on the river. They were aided on their journey down the river by Mahoning River Adventures. Joining DeWine and Franklin was Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell, Struthers Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller, Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz, Newton Falls Mayor David Hanson and Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo. Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle joined them later at a luncheon event.
Franklin said the collaboration between mayors along the Mahoning River began nearly 20 years ago. The Mahoning River Corridor Revitalization Plan, which was funded by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and facilitated by the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, started the process of removing the dams and redeveloping the areas along the river.
DeWine said that shortly after being elected to his first term, he met with local officials in the Mahoning Valley and they emphasized the importance of removing the dams, opening up the river to recreation and improving the water quality.
“It’s so very impressive to come to the community, come to the Mahoning Valley and see the mayors, how closely they work together,” DeWine said. “It’s a great thing, and everybody agreed this river is an asset.”
DeWine said the state has invested about $12.5 million in three tranches toward the projects. Overall, nearly $39 million has gone into the corridor through state, federal, local and private investment, according to the mayors coalition.
Much of the state funding has come from the Governor’s Office of Appalachia and H2Ohio funds.
The H2Ohio funding was initially for cleaning up Lake Erie, where progress is being made. The H2Ohio money now is being spread throughout the state for other water projects, and DeWine said he hopes that focus continues once his successor is elected.
“We’re executing our vision to connect all of our neighborhoods, our downtown and our three parks along the rivershore with each other,” Franklin said. “That plan is coming together, really tremendously fast.”
Franklin said the Summit Street dam has already been removed – a $3 million project – and another dam removal at Main Street is planned. Development plans around the river in Warren include the Peninsula Bridge to connect the Peninsula with Perkins Park and the Warren Community Amphitheatre, as well as the rebuilding of the Packard Pedestrian Bridge connecting the Northwest neighborhood to Packard Park, Franklin said.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency recently approved $370,000 to stabilize a concrete retaining wall and realign the river channel in the city, Franklin said.
Plans are moving forward to remove the dams at Crescent Street, Marshall Street and Center Street in Youngstown. Removal of a dam in Girard also is planned.
Dams have already been removed in Lowellville, Struthers and Levittsburg.
“The river’s recovery mirrors the resilience of the Mahoning Valley itself,” Franklin said. “Just as the river has overcome decades of neglect and pollution, our communities continue to reinvent themselves through revitalization, environmental restoration, expanded green space and renewed economic opportunity.”
Franklin said the Valley fueled the industrial revolution to build the nation, and now it, along with the Mahoning River, is reinventing itself.
Mientkiewicz said the city of Niles was awarded $3.5 million through an Appalachian Community Grant for a riverfront revitalization project, which includes Riverside Park on the south side, with a community kayak launch area, restrooms and an amphitheater along the river in what was previously an underutilized space. A second project created the Niles Public Square, an entertainment area downtown.
Mientkiewicz said there are plans to pave a bike trail extension to connect Riverside Park to the Niles Greenway Bike Path and develop townhouses along the river.
McDowell said Youngstown also received $4 million through the Appalachian Community Grant Program and is using it to renovate the B&O station near the Mahoning Avenue Bridge and the Springs Common Park area, with the addition of a boat launching dock. McDowell talked about Wean Park, the Covelli Center and the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheatre, as well as many other small businesses and entertainment venues along the river.
“Youngstown on June 27 actually just celebrated its 230th birthday,” McDowell said, adding that American history and Youngstown history were interconnected through the steel industry. “We now have three dams that we’re in the process of removing, 33 miles of what we call the river of opportunity.”
Newton Falls is the headwaters of the Mahoning River, where the east and west branches come together, and Hanson spoke of the importance of clean water for the village’s residents. He said the Scott Street project has meant the addition of sewer to 100 homes, and negotiations are underway for an additional 100 homes. The project, he said, is designed to protect the water in the river.
Miller said plans are being made in Struthers to develop 28 acres of brownfield property, adding utilities and creating something the residents want.
Zuppo said the site of the former Ohio Leather Works in Girard is being remediated, and the city is working with the Western Reserve Port Authority to look at options for economic development at the site.
“Once that dam comes down, it’ll give us a big impetus for our downtown revitalization,” Zuppo said.
Although Hubbard is not on the Mahoning River, Kyle said the city is also removing a dam, which has been a long time coming. Kyle said the project happened with the help of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments and the other mayors in the area.
Following the paddling event Monday, DeWine headed to Boardman to look at damage from Sunday’s storms, which included downed trees onto homes, damaged utility wires and flooding.
After seeing the damage, the governor declared a state of emergency in Mahoning County.
“By declaring a state of emergency, we’re able to expedite state assistance in communities that need help with cleanup,” DeWine said. “We want to do everything we can to help those impacted by this storm recover and move forward.”
The declaration directs all relevant state departments and agencies to lend their services, equipment, supplies and personnel as necessary to assist in the cleanup effort, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
Pictured at top: In front, from left, are Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo, Struthers Mayor Catherine Cercone Miller, Gov. Mike DeWine, Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and state Reps. Nick Santucci and David Thomas. In back, from left, are Hubbard Mayor Ben Kyle, Youngstown Mayor Derrick McDowell, Niles Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz and Newton Falls Mayor David Hanson.