Skepticism Arises on Ohio “Waste Mall” Proposal

County Sanitary Engineer Amy Lyon-Galvin attended the Brunswick committee-of-the-whole meeting Monday night to answer council members’ questions about the drafting process of a new solid waste plan.

Much of the discussion revolved around the waste mall concept, which was proposed to the county by a Cleveland-based private company, Optiva Group LLC. The company proposes a 30-year contract with the county and would bring manufacturing companies to the Central Processing Facility in Westfield Township. Optiva says the collaboration would make the plant into a profitable venture.

But Ward 2 Councilman Nick Hanek raised concerns. He highlighted the business’ location, which is based out of a house in North Royalton, according to the Ohio Secretary of State. Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court also lists several lawsuits between the group and companies listed as “preferred vendors” on Optiva’s website, including accounting company Skoda Minotti.

“A number of what they call preferred vendors have instituted litigation against this company,” Hanek said.