GIS Map of the proposed route

We strongly object to plans by American Transmission Systems, Inc. to construct a six-mile-long, 138-kilovolt transmission line extending from the existing Lincoln Park Substation to the existing Riverbend Substation in Youngstown, Ohio. These high-tension power lines are routed along the Mahoning River, and traversing through land currently occupied by the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater, Wean Park, and the Covelli Center, Youngstown’s largest sports, entertainment, and convention areas attracting tens of thousands of guests to the city, to enjoy indoor and outdoor social and entertainment events.

State, local, and federal funding was used to remediate the land and turn abandoned eyesores into Youngstown’s urban entertainment and recreation area. Currently, many plans are being put in place to redevelop the Mahoning River corridor, where efforts to remove dams are returning the river to its natural state. This section of the city is a model for public/private urban redevelopment, contributing to both the quality of life of our citizens, as well as our economic prosperity. 

Over the past several years, the City of Youngstown has utilized a significant amount of public, private, and philanthropic investment resulting in the establishment of this much-needed urban park, open recreation area, and entertainment venue for the citizens of Youngstown and beyond.

The Covelli Center: $49 million

The Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater $8 million

Wean Park $2 million

Handshake of the Century $400,000

In addition to these projects, there is a 25 million infrastructure upgrade happening very proximate to this site as well as a recent $33 million historic restoration of a skyscraper into our downtown hotel

High tension power lines placed in this area will destroy the park-like aesthetic that we have worked so hard to achieve, and it is very intrusive to current and future downtown economic development. Additionally, these power lines may also cause electrical interference with the complex audio systems used in the Covelli Center and Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater venues, or with phone service required by concert and event attendees. In the event of any type of power line collapse, the impact would be catastrophic. The YSU Festival of the Arts and many other large outdoor events would also be affected by this unnecessary location of the high tension line. In the event of any type of power line collapse, the impact would be catastrophic

We understand that a single local public hearing for this project was held in Campbell, Ohio, on November 3, 2021. It is unacceptable that no public hearings were held in Youngstown, the area most impacted by these power lines. 

This 138-kilovolt transmission line cannot be constructed through this economically improved and densely traveled area, and the alternate routing needs to be pursued.