Problem solved?

Maybe.
The efforts of those who have spoken out against the location of the 24 townhouses in the Impact Warren project may have paid off.

The plans for the townhouses have been revised.

Monday night, architect Tom Harley introduced a new design at Warren City Council's meeting that moves the townhouses back from the Allegheny River approximately 60 feet from the original plans.

The adjusted version is in response to public concerns raised at a special meeting to answer residents' questions about Impact Warren and concerns from some city council members. At issue was the close proximity of the units to a public facility ­ Breeze Point Landing ­ and their obstructing of the view of the riverfront.

The new plans combines two of the townhouse buildings into one. Instead of three townhouse buildings, there will only be two. The same number of units is included as before.

Because the new plans create parking to abut Breeze Point Landing, council discussed the possibility of the city retaining ownership of the parking spaces and owning the new street to the west of the townhouses created by the new plans.

Harley called the adjusted plans "a good compromise."

Council member David Wortman was appreciative of the measure.

"I think it's commendable what developers have gone ahead and done," he said. Wortman said they addressed the concerns of private versus public use of the land while taking into consideration state funding for the project.

Warren Mayor Mark Phillips said that he, too, appreciated the efforts of Harley and developer Bob Yoder.

The new plans also create handicapped parking spaces nearer Breeze Point Landing.

Approval from the the City of Warren Planning Commission needs to be obtained before the revised plans can get final approval from city council.

Council voted to authorize an extension of a $2 million loan from Northwest Savings Bank for the parking garage. The extension will be for four months, increasing the interest for that time period from 1.75 percent to 3.95 percent.

Interim city manager Robert Hansen Jr. recommended the measure because otherwise payment would be due May 6. He said that the city was still waiting for the $7.5 million in state grant money to pay for the parking garage, and he did not think that new city manager, James Nelles, should be burdened with repayment the same week he is slated to begin his contract with the city.

Council approved a contract with Nelles to serve as city manager. He will begin his duties on May 1.

The extension will mean an increased expense of $14,000. The release of grant money is contingent on paperwork from Northwest Savings for its new building. This is Warren's local funding source for Impact Warren that is required in order to receive the state grant. Hansen said he plans to meet with officials from Northwest Savings to discuss the problem. He hopes the Warren will receive grant money in 120 days after the paperwork is completed.

Council voted on a change order on the parking garage project to pay over $200,000 to the contractor on the site for demolition of property. This move is in lieu of requesting bids for the demolition and comes from money already budgeted to be used for demolition expenses pertaining to the parking garage.