Campbell slams firm for wait

By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

May 05, 2008 11:44 pm

— CONNEAUT — A City Council member Monday night scolded a national truck stop company for their decision to delay construction of a sizable fueling operation at Route 7 and Interstate 90.
The recent announcement involving Love's Travel Stops and Country Store displays “a poor way of doing business,” Ward 1 Councilman Dave Campbell said at the work session.
“(Love's) is turning very wishy-washy,” Campbell said, noting that just a few weeks earlier the company was gung-ho on the Conneaut location.
Too often in recent years Conneaut has been assured of a big-ticket development project, only to see it crumble, Campbell said.
“You don't just drop a $6 million project off the face of the earth,” he said. “It's giving me a sour gut feeling right now.”
Moments earlier, City Manager Douglas Lewis said Love's has confirmed some economic instability prompted the delay in construction until 2009. Profit margins from other Love's locations and dwindling highway traffic due to high fuel prices apparently factored into the decision, he said.
The company remains committed to the project, however, Lewis and Love's officials said Monday. More than $1.3 million has already been invested in the project, Lewis said.
Campbell asked if the city is confident it will recoup the money it is spending on the Love's project. “Are we going to be left holding the bag?” he asked.
Language in contracts ensure the city will be compensated, Lewis said.
“There is an agreement in place that will protect us,” he said. “We will recover the cost of mitigation.”
The city will pay the contractor hired to create wetlands on municipal property along Route 20 near the Pennsylvania line that will replace wetlands destroyed on the Love's site when construction begins. The final cost, estimated around $6,000, will be reimbursed to the city by Love's.
Also, the city paid for a traffic survey required by the Ohio Department of Transportation before it would allow construction of an access road off Route 7 to the travel center site.in its quest
Lewis staunchly defended Love's involvement and conduct over the past two years the project has been in the making — and also sent a rebuke Campbell's way.
“They are an extremely reputable company,” Lewis said. “If they don't come, it would be because of comments like Mr. Campbell's. They are good to their word.”
Campbell decried Lewis’ “rude” remark, saying he is merely “trying to protect taxpayer dollars.”
A few weeks ago, council unanimously approved a 15-year, 50 percent tax abatement agreement Love's officials had said was needed to move the project forward. Ward 4 Councilman Tony Julio asked if the agreement would be affected by Love's decision.
“There's enough protection built into (the pact),” said Law Director Lori Lamer. “We're fine.”
Love's, based in Oklahoma City, Okla., has more than 200 locations across the country, including several in Ohio.