Valley racing takes 2 tracks

 

Published: Tue, February 1, 2011 @ 12:10 a.m.

 

Quorum at forum raises legal issues

 

By Elise Franco

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

Can residents place their bets on two competing racetracks in the Mahoning Valley?

 

Officials of Penn National Gaming Inc., which owns two Ohio racetracks, met privately Monday with Mahoning County commissioners and representatives of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber to discuss relocating a horse racetrack to the county.

 

This would represent the second horse-racing venture to target the Valley in recent weeks. On Jan. 18, the Mahoning Valley Development Group announced plans for its racetrack project.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/01/valley-racing-takes-2-trackssflb/

Toledo track owner eyes move to Valley

Published: Thu, February 3, 2011 @ 12:01 a.m.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The owner of a Toledo horse racetrack will address the Ohio State Racing Commission next Thursday about relocating the facility to the Mahoning Valley.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/03/toledo-track-owner-eyes-move-valley/

Youngstown, bank building owner reach deal on scaffolding

Published: Wed, February 2, 2011 @ 12:05 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The scaffolding surrounding the PNC Bank Building since May 2008 will remain for another five or six months under an informal agreement between the property’s owner and a city committee that oversees exterior work on downtown structures.

 

...

 

Park South wants to install 54 steel strips — each about 20 feet long, 4 inches wide and a quarter-inch thick — between the granite panels on the exterior of the building, located at Wick Avenue and Commerce Street.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/02/city-owner-reach-deal-on-scaffolding/

 

I wish they could just take all the panels off, and restore the original facade.

Toledo track owner eyes move to Valley

Published: Thu, February 3, 2011 @ 12:01 a.m.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The owner of a Toledo horse racetrack will address the Ohio State Racing Commission next Thursday about relocating the facility to the Mahoning Valley.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/03/toledo-track-owner-eyes-move-valley/

 

This project certainly seems more believable than the other racetrack. If true, 1,000+ more jobs coming to the valley is great! I will have to readjust my summary of all of the new direct and spin-off jobs for the metro area. But it has to be in excess of 20,000 new jobs announced in the past year.

^I wonder if the first group is a dummy, to somehow make it more difficult/impossible for the second--more legitimate sounding--group to move their track here?

If it is, then it's backfiring in my opinion. It's making me feel more comfortable about the Toledo racetrack relocating as a legit thing. By comparison, the Toledo racetrack folks are an actual racetrack operator. The other guys from Cleveland sound like a couple of bored hobbyists/scam artists.

 

Open question: are there any affiliations between Penn National Gaming Inc. and the Cleveland guys who formed Mahoning Valley Development Group? I ask because I could see them working together to create a fake competition for a better development deal.

Gilbert favors idea of gaming in Valley

Published: Fri, February 4, 2011 @ 12:10 a.m.

 

Cavs owner to study racetrack plan, look at opportunities

 

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

CLEVELAND

 

Dan Gilbert, whose company is building a $350 million Las Vegas-style gambling casino in downtown Cleveland, said he’s interested in bringing gaming to the Mahoning Valley.

 

“We’re opportunistic,” he told The Vindicator on Thursday. “We know that Youngstown has one of the bigger gambling bases in the whole state” and area residents want “some kind of facility” in the Valley.

 

...

 

Lertzman [of Mahoning Valley Development Group] has declined to disclose the names of the investors in his company’s proposed track.

 

Also, Lertzman said his company will have an attorney at the commission’s meeting Thursday to object to Penn National’s plan to relocate Raceway Park to the Valley.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/04/gilbert-favors-idea-of-gaming-in-valley/

 

I think Mahoning Valley Development Group's undisclosed investors are casino/track developers from PA, who are trying to build something similar, just over the state line.  But I could be way off, as I haven't done enough research into who actually owns what.

This is what I was talking about in the above post.

 

Company awaits decision on license

Published: Wed, January 5, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By Mary Grzebieniak

 

[email protected]

 

NEW CASTLE, Pa.

 

It will be several months before American Harness Tracks LLC of Pittsburgh learns whether it will be awarded the harness- racing license held by Valley View Downs for the racetrack/casino property American Harness bought at a bankruptcy sale in December.

 

Last week, the company filed a preliminary application to transfer the harness-racing license held by Valley View Downs for the property, off U.S. Route 422 in Mahoning Township

 

Transfer of the harness- racing license is necessary for the company to proceed with plans for the development, which is to include a harness-racing track and casino. In addition to the harness-racing license, American Harness Tracks also will need to obtain a casino license from the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission to bring the project to completion.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jan/05/company-awaits-decision-on-license/

Growing global: Chamber courts investors for World Trade Center in Valley Youngstown

Published: Mon, December 6, 2010 @ 12:00 a.m.

By Grace Wyler

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

Eric Planey is on a global crusade to sell the Mahoning Valley as an emerging hub of international commerce.

 

As vice president of international business attraction for the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, Planey has spent the past several months crisscrossing Europe and Asia to find investors for a $9 million global trade center in downtown Youngstown.

 

The project, dubbed the Youngstown World Trade Center, would convert the former Wells Building into modern office space with an adjacent six-story glass office tower to house small-and medium-sized foreign companies interested in establishing a presence in the North American market, Planey said.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/dec/06/growing-global/

 

 

 

This is thinking outside of the box! I love it! Not only could it benefit Youngstown, but also the surrounding metros.  This is what cities trying to make a comeback need.  Something different to make a splash. 

Another delay?

 

Sale of Erie Terminal delayed

Published: Fri, January 7, 2011 @ 12:03 a.m.

 

 

Sale of Erie Terminal delayed again

Published: Tue, February 8, 2011 @ 12:09 a.m.

By David Skolnick

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The sale of the Erie Terminal to a company planning to convert the historic building into an apartment complex is delayed for another month — again.

 

US Campus Suites LLC, owned by Dominic Marchionda of Poland, said he needs more time to deal with various issues before finalizing the deal with Louis Frangos, whose Cleveland company, USA Parking Systems, owns the Erie Terminal.

 

“We’re still moving forward but, unfortunately, there are some issues that are environmentally related [that slowed down the process],” Marchionda said. “But it’s nothing that can’t be overcome.”

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/08/sale-of-erie-terminal-delayed-again/

Uh oh. The move depends on allowing slot machines -- a complicated wrinkle.....

 

Racetrack proposal for Valley at the gate

For Penn National, move hinges on slot machines

Published: Thu, February 10, 2011 @ 12:10 a.m.

By David Skolnick

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The owners of a Toledo horse racetrack were to present plans today to relocate its operations to Austintown as long as the state legalizes slot machines at the facility.

 

Penn National Gaming Inc., which owns Raceway Park in Toledo, will discuss the move with the Ohio State Racing Commission at the agency’s 10 a.m. meeting in Columbus.

 

Officials with the company were to be at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s downtown Youngstown office on Central Federal Street at 3 p.m. with various local elected officials to announce the proposed move of the harness racetrack, said state Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, and state Sen. Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd. Both of them plan to attend the chamber announcement.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/10/racetrack-proposal-for-valley-at-the-gat/

 

Youngstown council agrees to expansion projects

Published: Thu, February 17, 2011 @ 12:03 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

City council agreed to provide up to $150,000 to a food-packaging business and a 10-year tax abatement to an aluminum can and bottle company for expansion projects.

 

Council voted Wednesday to authorize the board of control to provide the money to Valley Foods and the abatement to Exal Corp.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/17/council-agrees-to-expansion-projects/

 

Whatever happened to Exal's planned facility on the NW side of the city? I thought that one was supposed add 400-500 employees?

^I don't know.  Not because the answer isn't out there, but because I'm lazy, and don't keep track of many of the projects going on. (I'm  mostly interested in stuff happening downtown.)

Plans for two Valley racetracks gain ground

Published: Fri, February 18, 2011 @ 12:10 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

“Very informative” is how the Ohio State Racing Commission’s executive director described his first meeting with developers of a proposed $300 million complex in the Mahoning Valley that would include a horse racetrack, resort and possibly a casino.

 

“It went well,” said Tom Fries Jr., the commission’s director, when asked about Thursday’s meeting with the heads of the Mahoning Valley Development Group. “They laid out their vision for their entertainment facility that would include thoroughbred” racing.

 

Meanwhile, efforts in the General Assembly to legalize slots at horse racetracks in the state have gained some momentum. That change in state law is critical to a second proposal from another developer to build a racetrack in Austintown.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/feb/18/plans-for-two-valley-racetracks-gain-gro/

GPD Group chosen for project at YSU

Published: Wed, March 2, 2011 @ 12:06 a.m.

By Denise Dick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

A committee of Youngstown State University trustees tapped an architectural firm with a city office to design the recreation and athletic fields west of Fifth Avenue.

 

The trustees’ finance and facilities committee picked the GPD Group, which has offices throughout the country and a branch in Youngstown, for the project.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/mar/02/gpd-group-chosen-for-project-at-ysu/

YSU group targets South Side for development

 

Published: Mon, March 7, 2011 @ 12:11 a.m.

By Denise Dick

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

A new initiative aims to bring investment and small businesses back to an area of the city’s South Side.

 

The Youngstown State University Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation and a separate 501C3 organization from the university, is working to create an economic development zone in the southern part of the city surrounding St. Dominic Church.

 

More:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/mar/07/ysu-group-targets-south-side-for-develop/

2nd market in store for South Side

 

Published: Sat, March 12, 2011 @ 12:06 a.m.

By David Skolnick

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

A supermarket chain planning to build a full-service grocery store in the city’s Fosterville neighborhood also will open one on East Midlothian Boulevard.

...

The company also is looking at sites on the city’s East and North sides for future stores, Williams said.

 

More:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/mar/12/2nd-market-in-store-for-south-side/

Great to see this stuff happening for the south side -- one of the city's hardest-hit areas. I'm old enough to remember all the buildings still lining Market Street in the 80s, even though most were empty by that time. My relatives and friends in Y-town tell me that was quite the happening street up until the 1960s -- with lots of clubs, shops and old-style mob hangouts. There were also a few strip joints and drug houses, but for the most part it was an active street and the old-school mobsters kept it safe for the most part. That all changed in the 1970s.....

Council Considers Support for Cleanup Funds

 

March 15, 2011 6:48 a.m.

By George Nelson

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The developer interested in renovating the Erie Terminal Building downtown as student and professional housing wants to borrow $1 million from the state Department of Development's brownfield revolving loan.

 

More:

http://business-journal.com/council-considers-support-for-cleanup-funds-p18761-1.htm

Conversion plans move forward for downtown apartments

Published: Wed, April 6, 2011 @ 12:06 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

Even though he doesn’t own the Erie Terminal yet, Dominic Marchionda received approval from a city downtown committee for his plans to turn the vacant structure into a 65-bed apartment complex.

 

...

 

As part of the Erie deal, Marchionda agreed to sign a one-year exclusive purchase option in October 2010 on the vacant Wick Building on West Federal Street.

 

“What happens with [Wick], I’m not sure yet,” Marchionda said. “We have some great ideas.”

 

In the past, Marchionda said he envisions Wick’s being a combination of housing and retail, including a restaurant.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/apr/06/conversion-plans-move-forward-for-buildi/

 

Not sure if this belongs in the V&M thread or not.

 

V&M supplier backs off plans to move to Ross

Published: Thu, April 7, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

A proposal to relocate a scrap-metal supplier to V&M Star to an East Side industrial area — and the $280,000 in cash the city was going to receive as part of the deal — is dead.

 

...

 

Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st, and Councilman DeMaine Kitchen, D-2nd, led the opposition. They were concerned about the aesthetics of Metalico at Ross and that the area is zoned light industrial and Metalico is a heavy industrial business.

 

More:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/apr/07/vampm-supplier-backs-off-plans-to-move-t/

Here is the official website with a little more info. about the reuse of the Paramount Theater facade, and a couple renderings.

http://www.paramountproject.org/

^Cool, thanks!

Youngstown rejects beer, wine for proposed downtown store

Published: Wed, April 20, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The city’s planning commission rejected a request from the owners of a proposed downtown convenience store to sell beer and wine for carryout.

 

That decision came after Al and Fidaa Musleh, owners of the proposed store, failed to appear at Tuesday’s planning commission meeting.

...

The store, which would also be a Mediterranean deli, is to be located at 116 W. Federal St., the former location of Plaza Optical.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/apr/20/youngstown-rejects-beer-wine-for-propose/

 

Frankly, I hope they don't approve beer/wine sales at this location, if the owners appeal.  IMO, another liquor store downtown is a step backwards.

Nothing too exciting, just shuffling what's already there.  But maybe each will get more exposure at their  new locations.

 

2 businesses to relocate downtown Youngstown

Published: Fri, May 13, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

Two downtown businesses are relocating, but neither is going far.

 

Two Guys Clothing, located at 107 W. Federal St. for about 20 years, is moving July 1 to the city-owned 20 Federal Place. That’s just a short distance from its current location.

 

The clothing and shoe store is moving because its landlord wants to use that location for the new home of the Touch the Moon Candy Saloon, currently at 8 S. Phelps St.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/may/13/2-businesses-to-relocate-downtown/

Developer Envisions Wick Building as Hotel

June 14, 2011 7:02 a.m.

By Dan O'Brien

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A developer who's renovating one downtown landmark building wants to convert another into a "boutique hotel" -- the first in the city since the Wick-Pollock Inn closed in 1998.

 

"That's our plan," Dominic Marchionda, president of US Campus Suites LLC, said of his efforts to acquire the 13-story Wick Building and transform it into a hotel. "It's still in the preliminary stages and there are market studies being done, but the initial data looks favorable."

 

More:

http://business-journal.com/developer-envisions-wick-building-as-hotel-p19367-1.htm

 

Bottom Dollar Food Adds Mahoning Store

June 14, 2011 6:57 a.m.

By George Nelson

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Bottom Dollar Food Northeast LLC plans to open three of its discount grocery stores in the city -- one more than previously disclosed, but one fewer than proposed in city documents.

 

More:

http://business-journal.com/bottom-dollar-food-adds-mahoning-store-p19366-1.htm

Developer Envisions Wick Building as Hotel

June 14, 2011 7:02 a.m.

By Dan O'Brien

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A developer who's renovating one downtown landmark building wants to convert another into a "boutique hotel" -- the first in the city since the Wick-Pollock Inn closed in 1998.

 

"That's our plan," Dominic Marchionda, president of US Campus Suites LLC, said of his efforts to acquire the 13-story Wick Building and transform it into a hotel. "It's still in the preliminary stages and there are market studies being done, but the initial data looks favorable."

 

More:

http://business-journal.com/developer-envisions-wick-building-as-hotel-p19367-1.htm

 

 

YAY!!! Not having a hotel in downtown Youngstown is very unfortunate. Downtown has more going for it than many of the areas of the metro area that do have hotels. Give it a secure parking area and some amenities at the hotel (nice restaurant, meeting/banquet facilities, etc) and I think it will do well.

Race is on for Valley track

Published: Thu, June 16, 2011 @ 12:01 a.m.

Kasich OKs video slots at racetracks

 

By Elise Franco

 

[email protected]

 

Austintown

 

Penn National Gaming representatives don’t know whether an agreement to legalize video lottery terminals will affect the likelihood that Penn National will relocate a $200 million racino project from Toledo to Austintown.

 

The deal is between Gov. John Kasich’s office and Rock Ohio Ceasars LLC.

 

Bob Tenenbaum, Penn National spokesman, said the agreement didn’t specifically include Penn National, and the company is still in talks with Kasich. Tenenbaum said he wouldn’t discuss what this agreement means for Penn National until it completes its discussions.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jun/16/race-is-on-for-valley-track/

Biomass Project Could Add 1,200 Jobs Here

June 16, 2011 6:57 a.m.

By Dan O'Brien

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A federal program to help farmers in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania grow crops used for biofuels and other sources of energy could result in more than a thousand jobs and millions of dollars of investment to the region, according to a top Obama administration official.

 

"We've got to start someplace," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. "We've got to encourage people to take the risk, to get in the game."

 

Vilsack and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, told reporters that the federal government's Biomass Crop Assistance Program, or BCAP, would be extended to 5,344 acres in Trumbull, Geauga, Ashtabula and Lake counties in Ohio, and Mercer, Erie and Crawford counties in Pennsylvania.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/biomass-project-could-add-jobs-here-p19381-1.htm

Extrudex Plans $14M Plant Expansion

June 16, 2011 7:02 a.m.

By Dan O'Brien

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Extrudex Aluminum Inc. is planning a $14 million expansion of its operations in North Jackson and expects to add 25 jobs over the next three years, officials say.

 

"We're very fortunate to have a company like this in the Mahoning Valley willing to invest money, expand and create jobs," said Tom Presby, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber business attraction specialist and manager of its enterprise zone and community reinvestment programs.

 

The Jackson Township housing council Wednesday approved a tax abatement of 60% on real property improvements for the project over 10 years, said township Trustee John Jakubec.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/extrudex-plans-m-plant-expansion-p19385-1.htm

Biomass Project Could Add 1,200 Jobs Here

June 16, 2011 6:57 a.m.

By Dan O'Brien

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A federal program to help farmers in northeastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania grow crops used for biofuels and other sources of energy could result in more than a thousand jobs and millions of dollars of investment to the region, according to a top Obama administration official.

 

"We've got to start someplace," said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack during a conference call with reporters Wednesday. "We've got to encourage people to take the risk, to get in the game."

 

Vilsack and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, told reporters that the federal government's Biomass Crop Assistance Program, or BCAP, would be extended to 5,344 acres in Trumbull, Geauga, Ashtabula and Lake counties in Ohio, and Mercer, Erie and Crawford counties in Pennsylvania.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/biomass-project-could-add-jobs-here-p19381-1.htm

 

I have a specimen of miscanthus giganteus in my landscape.  It would be great for a bio-fuel source!  It grows in almost any kind of soil, grows to a height of 10'-12' every year, and requires virtually no maintenance.

 

I took this picture about a year ago: (it's the tall stuff next to the deck railing)

It grew another 3-4 feet before winter.

Kasich gets deal with Penn National

 

Published: Sat, June 18, 2011 @ 12:10 a.m.

 

AUSTINTOWN PROSPECTS FOR RACETRACK IMPROVE

 

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

AUSTINTOWN

 

A casino deal reached with Penn National Gaming Inc. will help the company meet another goal: relocating two horse-racing gaming licenses, including one to Austintown.

 

“We’ve made our intentions very clear in terms of relocating” to the Mahoning Valley, said Bob Tenenbaum, a Penn National spokesman.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jun/18/kasich-gets-deal-with-penn-nationalsflb/

City Council OKs Development Agreements

June 23, 2011 6:57 a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- City Council Wednesday cleared the way for development agreements that include the establishment of three new grocery stores, the expansion of a steel company and the renovation of a landmark building downtown.

 

More: http://business-journal.com/city-council-oks-development-agreements-p19432-1.htm

 

Just a couple updates from me, because I haven't seem them mentioned in an article:  The apartments in the Federal Building are all leased, even though they aren't completed yet.  And, the convenience store that was denied permission to sell beer and wine downtown resolved their issue, and that project is also now under construction.

New lounge set for downtown

 

By Karl Henkel

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

A new lounge is coming to downtown Youngstown as soon as this fall.

 

SKA Limited, LLC announced Friday plans to open its third downtown project sometime in September or October.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jun/25/new-lounge-set-for-downtown/

City gets state funds to demolish theater

Published: Thu, June 30, 2011 @ 12:03 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The city is receiving $803,490 from the state to cleanup and demolish the former Paramount Theatre on West Federal Street downtown.

...

The grants are contingent on State Controlling Board approval.

 

After asbestos and other hazardous materials are removed from the former theater, the building will be demolished except for its facade, Williams said. The facade will be restored to its historic appearance.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jun/30/city-gets-state-funds-to-demolish-theate/

Mixed emotions on that one. I know I'd love to see that theater restored as a theater, but it's too far gone to afford saving and there's too few potential customers/users for it even if it could be saved.

^I think it has the potential to turn into an interesting outdoor venue.  Having a movie screen on the Covelli Center lawn doesn't seem ideal to me, and moving the outdoor movie series here seems "right" to me. (just one example of what can happen at this location)

Unveiling of Tech Belt center in Warren energizes leaders

Published: Thu, June 30, 2011 @ 12:09 a.m.

 

By Karl Henkel

[email protected]

 

WARREN

 

John Pogue, board chairman of the Tech Belt Energy Innovation Center, recalled summer 1976, when Warren was at its peak.

 

There were 68 open-hearth furnaces used in steel mills, but today there remains just one in the city, at Ira Rennert’s The Renco Group.

 

Pogue made the comparison not just to show how far the Mahoning Valley has fallen but to reinforce goals the region can achieve.

 

A symbolic step was taken Wednesday in the revitalization process of downtown Warren, when Pogue helped to unveil the new center site, a 37,000-square-foot building near Courthouse Square that will soon act as a hub for innovative projects.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jun/30/unveiling-of-tech-belt-center-in-warren-/

BTW, the number of open-hearth furnaces isn't a measure of success of a community but one of failure for an industry to modernize. Few steel plants use open hearths anymore. Most are electric arc furnaces. The fact that Warren had so many in 1976 while its competitors overseas had already modernized away from using them is the more relevant fact, IMHO.

Shout Youngstown tours the Federal Building:

http://shoutyoungstown.blogspot.com/2011/07/federal-building-is-fully-rented-before.html

B.J. Alan makes $8M move to former Delphi Packard plant

Published: Tue, July 12, 2011 @ 12:10 a.m.

By William K. Alcorn

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The state has approved a $1.9 million loan that completes $8.1 million in financing for the B.J. Alan Fireworks Co. to move much of its Youngstown operation to a former Delphi Packard plant in Trumbull County.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jul/12/bj-alan-makes-8m-move-to-former-delphi-p/

 

I'm sad Youngstown is losing these jobs, but glad that more jobs will be made, and that a large, vacant facility will be put to use.

 

 

Funds OK’d to demolish, restore Paramount

Published: Tue, July 12, 2011 @ 12:08 a.m.

Staff report

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

Demolition of a West Federal Street building is one step closer.

 

The Ohio Controlling Board released $803,490 Monday to the city from the Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund to clear asbestos and demolish part of the former Paramount Theatre.

 

Once the project is complete, the historic appearance of the building’s facade will be restored, and portions of the property will become an amphitheater and a parking lot.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jul/12/funds-ok8217d-to-demolish-restore-paramo/

Some new bike racks have been installed downtown.  I guess there is quite a bit of growing interest in bicycling in Youngstown.

http://shoutyoungstown.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-of-new-artisian-bike-racks.html

 

There are only 2 so far, but I believe more are on the way.

Plans get under way for home for homeless vets

Published: Thu, July 21, 2011 @ 12:08 a.m.

By Peter H. Milliken

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

A Youngstown municipal judge and the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority have entered into a partnership to develop a home for homeless veterans on the city’s North Side.

 

The housing authority bought a vacant, six-unit apartment building at 212 Broadway at a sheriff’s sale for $35,500 last October and awarded an asbestos-abatement contract for that building in June to Environmental Protection Systems LLC of Girard.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jul/21/plans-get-under-way-for-home-for-homeles/

 

Here is a picture of the house in question:

 

That's a beautiful house!

That house is a six-unit apartment building??

^Well, it wasn't built that way, but it's been subdivided.

I understand, but it looks awfully small to be divided six ways. A very sad outcome for a beautiful home.

Many of the homes in this neighborhood were bought cheap, and subdivided into as many small apartments as possible.  Or, they were turned into some sort of institutional use. (initially a nursing home--maybe, and eventually devolving into a group home)

Wells Building to get preservation tax credit

 

Published: Fri, July 29, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

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YOUNGSTOWN

 

Strollo Architects plans to invest about $4 million to rehabilitate the Wells Building in the city’s downtown and turn the four- story structure into office and retail space.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/jul/29/wells-building-to-get-preservation-tax-c/