Warren's mayor has issued an open invitation for residents to ask whatever questions they may have about a proposed $40 million downtown rejuvenation project.

Mayor Mark Phillips does not want to see what has thus far been strong public support for "Impact Warren" undermined by misinformation.

"This isn't Mark Phillips' project; this is not Northwest Savings' or the developer's project," said the mayor. "There are a number of questions citizens have and that's great. We believe questions about 'Impact Warren' deserve answers. This is the community's project and we want people to have the correct information."

Phillips said, "Many good ideas have been stopped by campaigns of misinformation, whether they were organized or not. It's unfortunate that some people feel compelled to state as fact information that is clearly wrong."

The mayor said, "We are strongly encouraging residents, whether they live in the City of Warren or County of Warren, to ask us whatever questions they may have. I know that no one involved in 'Impact Warren' would refuse requests for information. We want people to have the facts. We want total community involvement."

The mayor said he has spoken to three civic organizations about "Impact Warren" within the past ten days and expects to be invited to speak to other groups in the days ahead.

Citizens with questions about "Impact Warren" are also invited to submit the questions through the city's Website, at www.cityofwarrenpa.org or questions may be submitted to the mayor or council members through the city building. Phillips said an attempt will be made to answer each question with accurate information.

One common question which has arisen, said Phillips, is how much financial risk is the city assuming in trying to invigorate the downtown riverfront.

The project is not without risk for the city, said the mayor, but the developer, Susquehanna Development Group, is assuming the bulk of the risks.

To date, said Phillips, the city has invested no tax money and assumed no financial risk.

"We have a development team taking the business risk with their own money," said Phillips. "They paid for the study and if land needs to be acquired, it's the project development team which will do it."

The extent of the city's financial involvement, said Phillips, will be better known "when we see how state and federal funding sources have come through."

The city's greatest financial involvement is likely to be in the three-level parking garage which will be linked to retail space in the 300 block of Pennsylvania Ave., W. Another parking garage will be constructed along Clark St. at the rear of the 200 block of Pennsylvania Ave., E. Ownership of that parking garage has not yet been determined, said Phillips, but it is likely that Northwest Savings will at least lease a large number of those spaces for employee parking.

"Owning and operating a parking garage does carry a certain amount of risk if employment in the area dries up and the parking is not needed," said Phillips.

But with Northwest planning to build a a new four-story office building and bring up to 300 new workers into the downtown in the next five to seven years, Phillips said, "We don't envision that happening. Hopefully by expanding parking it will help recruit even more new businesses and employment."

Phillips rejected the suggestion that the downtown project is somehow putting taxpayers in a position of underwriting Northwest Savings' corporate expansion in downtown Warren. Northwest's investment of up to $7 million in downtown Warren will provide the leverage needed to give the city access to up to $40 million in state and federal funds.

By approaching the city and discussing its intentions, said Phillips, "Northwest allowed our vision for the downtown and riverfront to grow beyond expectations. That's a decision that was made by Northwest Savings."

As "Impact Warren" progresses, said Phillips, "every other financial institution has the opportunity to participate. We would be happy to have other banks' participation. We want to spread the base to become involved in 'Impact Warren' as far and as wide as we can."

Phillips said, "It is not the goal of the city to emerge as a major real estate holder."

Townhouses will eventually be owned by the owner/occupants, housing for seniors will be owned by the developer, and the riverfront hotel will probably be owned by private investors.

Convention centers, Phillips explained, "are typically owned by stand-alone authorities and paid for through money raised through bonds."

The transit center-tourist center on Clark St., said Phillips, will be owned by the Transit Authority of Warren County.

And while the city will not own the office/retail buildings and housing, Phillips said the city, school district and county will all benefit from the additional real estate tax revenue.

"Impact Warren" should also pay dividends in employment and related revenues, said the mayor.
"We have all seen the rather incremental decline in employment," said Phillips. "If somehow we can put a finger in the dike it would be a great achievement.

Phillips stressed, "We think we have a unique project planned for along the beautiful Allegheny River and we want to discuss it with anyone looking for information."