BY JOHN A. DARNELL JR.
      associate editor
      A $20 million roadway project along Rt. 224, proposed by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), that will include construction of a sidewalk from Market St. to South Ave. and reduce access to businesses along that stretch, as well as create six lanes of traffic between Southern Blvd. and South Ave., and place barriers in the road to reduce left-hand turns will not improve traffic flows and will have negative impact on businesses, Dave Handel, developer of the Shops at Boardman Park, says.
      The proposed project also calls for the removal of traffic lights at California Ave. and Applewood Blvd., and could close access to Southern Park Mall from Rt. 224.
      ODOT says studies show reductions in red lights are linked to reductions in traffic accidents and improved traffic flows.
      “I believe the improvements proposed by ODOT will not only serve to deteriorate the current traffic conditions on Rt. 224, but will also negatively impact all of the businesses that have chosen to locate [along the road] because of the current traffic situation,” Handel said.
      Handel said several years ago he participated in an ODOT study and suggested improving Western Reserve Rd. would be serve to take non-retail and residential traffic off of Rt 224.
      “Given the current improvements currently underway on Western Reserve Rd. it finally appears those improvements will become a reality,” Handel said, adding “I have serious questions regarding the necessity of these dramatic changes along Rt. 224, in light of the ongoing improvement of Western Reserve Rd., and whether those improvements have been anticipated in ODOT planning.
      Handel said the tax revenue generated by businesses along Rt. 224 benefits not only Boardman Township, but also benefits Mahoning County.
      “These improvements [along Rt. 224] will undoubtedly have a negative impact on that revenue,” Handel said.
      Among the properties in the project area is Applewood Commons where ODOT is proposing elimination of a traffic light, and eliminating cross traffic to the Commons from the Shops at Boardman Park.
      “The substantial change to the main entrance to Applewood Commons will cause significant (property) devaluation and a permanent decrease in marketability to our 108,000 sq-ft shopping center.
      “Our anchor tenant, Dick’s Sporting Goods, has expressed serious concern regarding the loss of this signal,” Davie Fond Jr., managing partner of Fond Property Group, said, adding removal of the signal “will jeopardize our lease.”
      Fond Jr. suggested the ODOT project “would cause substantial, irreversible economic harm to our property and would likely cause us to consider legal options to protect our interests.”
      Fond Property Group owns Applewood Commons, and lots that serve Verizon Wireless, Stean-n-Shake, Raising Canes and Joann Fabrics.
      “Applewood Commons and the Shops at Boardman Park are collectively the largest retail destination in Boardman Township,” Fond Jr. said.
      He noted lease negotiations for the former Bed, Bath & Beyond and Pier I stores were halted when new businesses learned the traffic signal from the Shops at Boardman Park to Applewood Commons would be eliminated.
      Fond Jr. said he voiced his concerns to ODOT in Aug., 2023.
      “Despite my efforts, no attempt has been put forth on ODOT’s part for compromise regarding any of my concerns,” Fond Jr. said.