There has been some visible progress on 2 downtown projects over the last couple weeks.

 

The Semple Building, part of the Business Incubator:

 

A new place called The Lemon Grove Cafe and Lounge. (http://www.lemongrovecafe.com/)

Cool! Thanks!

Some sad news:

 

City takes action to demolish old theater

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/jun/05/city-takes-action-to-demolish-old-theater/

Published: Fri, June 5, 2009 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The city took a first step toward demolishing a former downtown theater that is falling apart and has been vacant for more than 30 years.

 

...

 

The city plans to seek state funding for the project with the hope that the theater would be demolished sometime next year, Bozanich said.

 

The plan would be to keep the facade at the 91-year-old theater intact and use the rest of the property for a parking lot and/or outdoor amphitheater, Bozanich said.

 

...and a little less sad...

 

Two downtown bar buildings will be razed for parking spots (follow link for pics)

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/jun/03/two-downtown-bar-buildings-will-be-razed-for/

Published: Wed, June 3, 2009 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

The $400,000 project will convert the buildings to 26 parking spaces.

 

YOUNGSTOWN — Two former downtown bar buildings, both in poor condition, are to be demolished by the end of the month and replaced with parking spaces.

 

...

 

The two buildings to be demolished by the end of June are:

 

The Jolly Bar at 31 Spring Commons, closed for about a decade. The three-story, 6,688-square-foot building was built more than 100 years ago. Portions of the building also were used as a boarding house, the Valley Hotel, for a period of time.

 

A bar, closed for about 30 years, at 309 W. Commerce St., on the southwest corner of Symphony Place. The two-story, 3,960-square-foot building was also built more than 100 years ago. Committee members and those at the meeting on behalf of MC Investments didn’t know the name of that former bar.

Fixing Wick: The revitalization plan

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/jun/06/fixing-wick-revitalization-plan/

Published: Sat, June 6, 2009 @ 12:02 a.m.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

 

CITY HALL REPORTER

 

The vision is a $2.9 million park with an amphitheater, sports fields, a playground accessible to special-needs children, a spray fountain and improved lighting. The challenge for those wanting to revitalize Wick Park on the Youngstown’s North Side is to find the money for the work.

 

More at http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/jun/06/fixing-wick-revitalization-plan/

I'd say that demolitions for parking in a downtown area are rarely good news. If you keep it up, what do you have to distinguish the downtown from the suburbs other than the occasional building "on the sidewalk"? There are much better ways to enhance foot traffic in a setting originally designed for foot traffic. Too bad most Americans draw blanks when pondering what these answers might be.

Normally, I would agree with you.  But in this case, these buildings are already isolated, and (especially in the case of the Jolly Bar) had almost no redeeming qualities.

 

I'm totally against complete demolition of the Paramount theater.  But I think it's life as an enclosed structure is over.  I would hate to see this become a precedent for other buildings downtown, but I think the best use of this building is to save the front facade, and use it to enclose some sort of outdoor park or amphitheater.

 

2 years ago, I was given permission to go into the building to photograph the interior.  Unfortunately, I didn't have a good camera.  So, here are a few pictures to show what 30 years of neglect look like.

 

Back of house looking west:

 

Under front edge of balcony:

 

Toward stage:

 

Mezzanine: (location of restrooms, etc.)

 

Looking at stage and ceiling from balcony:

Very sad.

Very very sad.

When I was younger I always wanted to drink at the Jolly Bar when I turned 21.  Never did.  I did make it to the Wonder Bar in Girard, which I think is still there.  It's not at all like the Wonder Bar on E 4th.  My brother's idea for downtown Youngstown is to knock through some interior walls and put nightclubs on the top floors of all the buildings.  Something unique to draw in the young money crowd.

 

Incidentally, the Warner Brothers were from New Castle and started with a theater in Youngstown.  I'm surprised no one's done anything with that concept.  Would have been a nice reason to preserve this theater.  Really, it makes more historical sense to put movie making operations in Youngstown than in Cleveland.  There already are some right now.  It could be the low-cost Hollywood of the Midwest-- the new Vancouver.

 

It's not like Youngstown doesn't have claims to fame besides steel.  And crime.  A mafia museum, more gritty than the one in Las Vegas, wouldn't be a bad idea.  I wouldn't mind seeing Ohio concentrate its casinos in Youngstown (I know, I know) just because Youngstown has the background in gambling.  How about a boxing academy, and a heavily promoted annual tournament?  Amateur boxing was a big deal there when I was in high school and Kelly Pavlik is a good ambassador.  Maybe the boxing stuff is already in the works.

 

My point is that Youngstown could be doing a lot more than bulldozing half the city.  I don't like this embracing shrinkage nonsense.  Youngstown already has the best city park in Ohio, which is gigantic.  It also has the second best skyline in northeast Ohio.  It doesn't need to become more rural.  It needs more transit.  It's laid out in nice corridors for rail.  A surprising number of people who have jobs involving travel, allowing them to live wherever, choose to live in the Youngstown suburbs because the cost of everything is so cheap.  They might consider moving into the city, or at least spending money there more often, if it would pick a direction besides backwards and go with it.

Incidentally, the Warner Brothers were from New Castle and started with a theater in Youngstown.  I'm surprised no one's done anything with that concept.  Would have been a nice reason to preserve this theater.

 

Well, the Warner theater, down the street, has already been saved and restored. ;)  I do wish there was an operating movie theater downtown, though.  But, there are a lot of things I wish were downtown.

 

It's not like Youngstown doesn't have claims to fame besides steel.  And crime.  A mafia museum, more gritty than the one in Las Vegas, wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

While I don't think anyone wants to white wash Youngstown's history, I don't think it would be healthy for the city to revel in its less savory aspects.

 

How about a boxing academy, and a heavily promoted annual tournament?  Amateur boxing was a big deal there when I was in high school and Kelly Pavlik is a good ambassador.  Maybe the boxing stuff is already in the works.

 

I think Kelly Pavlik, or at least someone connected to him, has started something like this.

 

My point is that Youngstown could be doing a lot more than bulldozing half the city.  I don't like this embracing shrinkage nonsense.

 

I disagree with your assessment of the Youngstown 2010 plan.  Very little of the plan actually involves demolition.  It's just the most visible part, and is needed in some neighborhoods.  Most of that "bulldozing" has already happened over the last couple decades.  The 2010 plan is about making what we have sustainable, and making the already smaller Youngstown more livable.

 

I happen to live in a neighborhood where the focus is on stabilization and maintaining the urban fabric.  Most of the demolitions are happening in neighborhoods that are already more "rural" than urban.

 

It needs more transit.  It's laid out in nice corridors for rail.

 

I agree, but it will never happen unless there is a major shift in attitude.  I was amazed that the issue to transform the WRTA from a city run service to a countywide service passed in the last election.  And, I'll be surprised if it passes again in 5 years. (though a lot can happen in that time)  I mean, the mayor of Sebring wrote several letters to the editor telling people to vote "no" on the WRTA issue!

 

A surprising number of people who have jobs involving travel, allowing them to live wherever, choose to live in the Youngstown suburbs because the cost of everything is so cheap.  They might consider moving into the city, or at least spending money there more often, if it would pick a direction besides backwards and go with it.

 

I think the state of the city, before efforts to revitalize it had begun, was a bigger deterrent for suburbanites.

Not sure if this is the right place for this development or not.

 

It’s official: WRTA gets funds for offices, buses

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/jun/26/it8217s-official-wrta-gets-funds-for-offices/

Published: Fri, June 26, 2009 @ 12:07 a.m.

 

By Denise Dick

 

Twelve buses and five minivans will be bought with the stimulus money.

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The federal stimulus money is official, and now the Western Reserve Transit Authority awaits a permit from the city to erect temporary offices during its administrative offices expansion.

 

...

 

James Ferraro, WRTA executive director, said U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, reports that the $3.5 million in federal stimulus funds to WRTA is official. Of that, $2.2 million is for renovation and expansion of its administration offices.

 

The remainder will be spent on 12 new buses, five new minivans, surveillance cameras and bus shelters.

Nope. See:

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,4489.0.html

Ugh, more demolitions:

 

A city committee rejected the parking lot design for the Realty Tower Apartments project.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/jul/07/a-city-committee-rejected-the-parking-lot-design/?newswatch

By David Skolnick

 

YOUNGSTOWN — Four vacant storefronts on West Boardman Street, near Youngstown city hall and the Mahoning County administration building, are to be demolished by early September.

 

And after the 89-year-old buildings are gone, they’ll be replaced by a parking lot.

 

I'm not sure how well this will work, but I think this is the bird's eye view of the area.

http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qvgxqt88c6n0&style=b&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=24530291&encType=1

If it didn't work, I think the one/two story buildings between Market St. and S. Phelps St. are the ones targeted.

 

Article continued...

 

While the committee gave its OK to Coyne’s project, it declined Tuesday to approve a plan for a fenced-in parking lot layout for the Realty Tower Apartments project.

 

The Frangos Group, which owns the 12-story building at 47 Central Federal St., wants the parking lot entrance/exit on South Champion St. with a six-foot high security fence and a 12-foot wide security gate.

 

Committee members want the lot entrance to be bigger, at least 14 feet wide, and to see the parking space layout. Some members also expressed concern that there would be only one way to get in and out of the lot...

Realty Tower nearly ready

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/aug/17/realty-tower-nearly-ready/

 

Published: Mon, August 17, 2009 @ 12:04 a.m.

 

Sept. 1 targeted for deluxe apartments

 

By DAVID SKOLNICK

 

CITY HALL REPORTER

 

YOUNGSTOWN — A few finishing touches still need to be made, but an $8.4 million project to transform what was a largely vacant 12-story building into a high-end downtown apartment complex is almost done.

 

More at http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/aug/17/realty-tower-nearly-ready/

So the guided tours will be tomorrow evening? Damn, I'd like to go but I'm going to be in Columbus!

 

Will there be any other tours? If not, can someone go and take pictures tomorrow and post them here? I'd like to see the interiors of this building and what the housing units will look like. Thanks!

You're in luck KJP!  This article has a photo gallery.

 

Having seen the pictures, I don't think these are really that "high-end."  I still think the rents are too high.

 

Realty rises to reality

 

 

Published: Thu, August 20, 2009 @ 12:01 a.m.

 

If this project succeeds, it would lead to other upscale housing downtown, the mayor says.

 

By DAVID SKOLNICK

 

CITY HALL REPORTER

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The Realty Tower Apartments has “the potential to be a transformational project for downtown,” Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams says.

 

The mayor mentioned the 23-unit upscale apartment complex project, expected to be finished by Sept. 1, in the same breath as the Covelli Centre and the reopening of Federal Plaza.

 

More at http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/aug/20/realty-rises-reality/

Thanks for the link and the heads-up that there is a photo gallery posted. I like the units, especially the corner unit. They are a bit pricier than what I'm paying (just under $1 per square foot total of mortgage + maintenance fee + property taxes) but I have a very affordable place considering what I get for it. But I think these units in the Realty Tower are worth the money, IMHO -- we'll see if the market agrees.

I hope you're right.

 

The Realty Building seems comparable to the Park Building condos:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,11660.0.html

 

I realize that the Park Building was blessed with more original features like hardwood floors and some woodwork.(and even fireplaces?)  But the two still seem to be on a totally different level of finish otherwise for about the same price.  Maybe I'm missing something?

Those rents seem REALLY high for Youngstown.

 

Granted, it's only 23 units but does Youngstown have the economy to support those types of rents for these levels of finish?  They're nice but they're not luxury.  They are Cleveland's prices without Cleveland's white collar jobs.

 

I'll be interested to see how this turns out and hope that there are more residential developments coming for downtown Youngstown.

I think there are enough people in the area who would want to live downtown and can afford the rent payments.  I can't find the reference now, but I've read that the average starting salary for the young tech. professionals coming from the Youngstown Business Incubator is somewhere around $55k/yr.  My biggest concern, as you also point out, is the level of finish for the price.

YSU trustees back plan for inn to become a conference center

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/sep/26/ysu-trustees-back-plan-for-inn-to-become-a/

 

Published: Sat, September 26, 2009 @ 12:06 a.m

By Harold Gwin

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The Wick-Pollock Inn would be converted into a university conference center with up to 11 guest rooms under a plan favored by Youngstown State University’s board of trustees.

 

The board’s Finance and Facilities Committee, with all but two trustees present, voted Friday to endorse that plan that carries a $4.39 million price tag.

I'm probably missing some articles between September and now.

 

B.J. Alan seeks Austintown land

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/12/bj-alan-seeks-austintown-land/

 

Published: Thu, November 12, 2009 @ 12:10 a.m.By DON SHILLING and ELISE FRANCO

 

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITERS

 

YOUNGSTOWN — B.J. Alan Co. wants to build a new Phantom Fireworks retail store on Meridian Road, but first it needs the six-acre site it owns to be annexed into Youngstown.

 

The site, across from the Salt Springs Road Industrial Park, is in Austintown, but the company cannot build a store in the township. Its state license says the store must be in Youngstown because it was issued for the retail store now located downtown in the former Greyhound bus terminal.

 

I knew I forgot some:

 

Youngstown’s century-old Federal Building up for auction

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/sep/30/youngstown8217s-century-old-federal-building-up/

 

By David Skolnick

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

 

The minimum bid for the building is $90,000, but it’s valued at $147,300.

 

By David Skolnick

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The owner of the 107-year-old Federal Building is putting it up for auction Oct. 20.

 

The four-story building in downtown Youngstown has been in Atty. Robert Melnick’s family for 30 years. Melnick owns the property through his Arjon Realty Co. business. The building is on the northwest corner of West Federal and North Phelps streets downtown.

 

Melnick, whose law office is on the building’s third floor, said that “it’s a good time” to sell the structure.

 

“There is more downtown activity than I’ve seen in 20 years,” Melnick said.

 

The building can be purchased before the auction for $150,000. The auction at the building on 100 W. Federal St. is at 11 a.m. Oct. 20.

 

 

Federal Building sells for $150,000

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/oct/21/federal-building-sells-150000/

 

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

 

The new owners aren’t sure what they’ll do with the structure.

 

By DAVID SKOLNICK

CITY HALL REPORTER

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The owners of the 107-year-old Federal Building got the price they were asking, thus avoiding an auction of the downtown structure.

 

The building at 100 W. Federal St. was to be auctioned Tuesday. Arjon Realty Co., which owns the building, had planned to cancel the auction if it received an offer of $150,000.

 

That’s what happened.

 

Three men from Niles — Ron Emery, a management consultant; and Dominic L. Gatta Jr. and Dominic L. Gatta III, who operate DSV Buildings Inc., a general-contracting business — bought the Federal Building for $150,000.

 

 

Downtown demolition to begin late next week

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/10/downtown-demolition-to-begin-late-next-week/

 

By David Skolnick

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

By David Skolnick

 

A 41-space parking addition will be at the site of the three buildings being demolished.

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The demolition of three vacant downtown buildings near Youngstown City Hall will start late next week.

 

The three buildings, all 89 years old, “can’t be renovated or retrofitted,” so they’ll be torn down, said John P. Coyne, whose Cleveland-base company, Coyne Investments Ltd., owns the properties.

 

After the buildings are down, which should take about a week, the location will be paved and become a 41-space addition to a 23-space Ampco System Parking lot on the northeast corner of West Boardman and South Phelps streets. Coyne is also vice president of business development for Ampco.

 

The vacant structures are located at 20 and 24 W. Boardman St. and 21 S. Phelps St.

 

I thought this was interesting:

 

Coyne said he’d prefer to do something with the property besides parking lots, but doesn’t have other options now.

 

“There used to be a parking need [downtown] and I don’t think there is any more need for parking,” he said.

Student-housing builder buys fire station for $1M

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/20/student-housing-builder-buys-fire-station-for-1m/?newswatch

 

Published: Fri, November 20, 2009 @ 12:04 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

The station is 109 years old, one of the oldest in the state, the fire chief says.

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The financially struggling city sold a fire station on Madison Avenue for $1 million to a company planning to build student housing.

 

...

 

US Campus Suites LLC, which is constructing The Flats at Wick student-housing complex, plans to use the Station No. 7 property for a second phase.

 

That second phase is at least three years away, city officials say.

 

In the meantime, the city will lease the one-truck, three-man fire station from US Campus Suites for $10 a year.

 

Here is a picture of the station:

I don't know if this is the best place for this, but here is a video interview, from the Vindicator, with a couple who have moved into the Realty Building.

http://www.vindy.com/videos/2009/nov/19/1082/

Children’s center for technology plans move, upgrade in exhibits

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/24/children8217s-center-for-technology-plans-move/

 

Published: Tue, November 24, 2009 @ 12:00 a.m.

By Elise Mckeown Skolnick

 

A capital campaign will help finance the move.

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The Children’s Center for Science & Technology is relocating to the McCrory’s building downtown.

 

The hands-on museum will occupy the first floor and lower level of the building at 15 Central Federal St. through a subsidized, long-term lease agreement with the building’s owner, First National Bank of Pennsylvania.

 

The center, formerly called the Children’s Museum of the Valley, is currently at 139 E. Boardman St. It opened in August 2004.

 

The McCrory Building has two entrances; one on the square, and on on W. Federal.

 

It is the facade to the lefr of the Metro Tower in this pic:

 

It is the facade to the right of the Metro Tower in this pic:

 

I can't believe I don't have a good picture of the McCrory Building facades...   :oops:

CIC official: Vacant Kress Building draws interest

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2009/nov/25/cic-official-vacant-kress-building-draws-interest/?newswatch

 

Published: Wed, November 25, 2009 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

YOUNGSTOWN — The vacant Kress Building on West Federal Street is in poor shape, but there is a business interested in locating there, says an official with a downtown property development agency that owns the structure.

 

Dave Kosec, development program manager for the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp., declined Tuesday to publicly disclose the business looking at the 89-year-old Kress Building.

 

...

 

There have been numerous failed proposals for Kress in recent years. This one is “more serious than the others,” Kosec said.

 

I can't believe I don't have a good picture of the McCrory Building facades... :oops:

 

Well, you'll just have to do something about that, now won't ya?!?

 

This sounds like a really cool project for downtown (that's generating some pretty positive news lately). But it doesn't sound like the museum has the money, yet, correct?

This sounds like a really cool project for downtown (that's generating some pretty positive news lately). But it doesn't sound like the museum has the money, yet, correct?

 

It does read like they don't have all the money for this yet.  But, they must have enough to get started.  They are closing a week from this Saturday, and they apparently already have the new space leased. (At least, that's how the article reads to me.)

Work to start on new plant in Warren

 

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/530506.html?nav=5021

 

Company plans to hire up to 65 full-time workers

 

By MARLY KOSINSKI / Tribune Chronicle POSTED: December 3, 2009 

 

WARREN - A new manufacturing facility announced nearly two years ago will hold a groundbreaking ceremony today on the city's southwest side.

 

Reinforcement Systems Corp. plans to build a 60,000-square-foot facility on 16.5 acres of vacant land on West Market Street near Martin Luther King Boulevard S.W., across from the Austin Village Plaza. The company makes custom-engineered welded wire reinforcement for concrete. Its system has been used across the country, including in NFL stadiums such as Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Every new job helps, but I especially like reading about new manufacturing facilities in the valley.

These aren't new jobs, but have you read this blog article about Exal Corp. in Youngstown?

http://tylersclark.com/blog/2009/11/manufacturing-and-innovation-alive-and-well-at-youngstown-exal/

I hadn't seen that. That's good news, too.

Wastewater Facility Coming to Ohio Works

Dec. 16, 2009 6:39 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- City Council tonight will consider a development agreement with North Star Disposal Services LLC for a project at the city’s Ohio Works Industrial Park.

 

North Star Disposal Services plans to invest $1.7 million to construct a wastewater pre-treatment facility and injection well site. The company is seeking the transfer of 7.5 acres on Ohio Works Drive, environmental indemnification of the site and a 10-year, 75% tax abatement on real property improvements at the site.

 

The project would create five to 10 jobs at the site, according to the ordinance that council is to consider this evening.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15290&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

Severstal recalls workers in Yorkville

 

About 100 employees at the Severstal North America cold rolling steel mill at Yorkville have received an early Christmas present by being recalled to work.

http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=framelink&link=www.tribtoday.com%2fpage%2fcontent.detail%2fid%2f531092.html%3fnav=5003&oas=www.tribtoday.com_page_content.detail_id_531092.html_nav=5003

 

 

I encourage you to see the video at the link below....

 

Youngstown Spruces Up 20 Federal Place

Dec. 17, 2009 7:14 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A recent visitor to 20 Federal Place downtown (VIDEO) can be forgiven for being taken a bit by surprise.

 

Familiar cracked plaster has been repaired and the common area repainted. A reception desk staffed with security guards is positioned in the building’s center court in front of the main elevators, with a seating area nearby. Music now plays over a sound system. Most recently, a pair of long-inactive escalators generally seen as an “eyesore” were removed from view.

 

Prior to the changes, the building was “very gloomy” and “quite unappealing to even walk through,” said Louis DeVicchio, president of Louis F. DeVicchio & Associates Inc. The company manages 20 Federal Place, previously known as the Phar-Mor Centre, under a contract with the city of Youngstown, which owns the building.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=15306&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

 

SEE VIDEO AT:

http://www.business-journal.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=224&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1711&hn=business-journal&he=.com

They have made some nice improvements, but nothing crazy.  The biggest improvement, IMO, is the number of people that use the place during lunch time.  When I first started working downtown, you might see just a handful of people in the whole place.  Now, there are decent crowds, and often long lines at some of the vendors in the food court.

Sort of an anti-development, though I think the reaction is a little over-board.

 

HUD to Mahoning Valley: Drop dead

Published: Fri, January 15, 2010 @ 12:10 a.m.

The Youngstown mayor, a congressman and others will challenge the decision with White House officials.

 

By DAVID SKOLNICK

 

VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER

 

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning Valley officials are “stunned” and “extremely let down” by a federal agency’s decision to reject the area’s proposal for funding to spur development in hard-hit communities and to create jobs.

 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Thursday that it had awarded $2 billion from its Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

 

The program is designed to help state and local governments and nonprofit agencies acquire land and property, demolish and/or rehabilitate abandoned properties, to offer down payments and closing costs to low- to middle-income home buyers, and create land banks.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/jan/15/hud-to-mahoning-valley-drop-dead/

How is the reaction "over-board"?  It's an area that has been promised things countless times by D.C. politicians, only to have it never materialize.  The Mahoning Valley's application was lauded by Brookings Institute.  Yet, despite having the highest foreclosure rate in the state, it got shut out. 

 

People there have a right to be pissed.

^Generally, I agree with you.  But I believe the reaction is a bit "over-board" because only about 16% of those entities that applied received anything.  If the Mahoning Valley was one of only a few entities to receive nothing, I'd feel differently.

That 16% figure helps to keep it in perspective, but I'd like to know where those 16% are, because I doubt there are more than 2-3 places in the nation that need this sort of help like Youngstown does.  If any of this money went to the sun belt, I think people here are justifiably livid.

here are the award allocations...

 

http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/communitydevelopment/programs/neighborhoodspg/pdf/nsp2awardtotalAllocation.pdf

Evanston, Illinois (yes, home of Northwestern University) got $18 million.  Remind me again, why?  HUD, in the words of Desi Arnaz, "You got some 'splaining to do!"

 

Youngstown, of all of the Ohio cities, needs the help the most.  The city's young and energetic leadership should be given the opportunity to "right the ship" (see, e.g., Jay Williams & Youngstown 2010, the MVOC, Tim Ryan etc.).

New YSU president will have residence on campus

Published: Thu, February 4, 2010 @ 12:01 a.m.

By HAROLD GWIN

 

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

 

YOUNGSTOWN — It will take about a year and a half, but the new president of Youngstown State University will have a residence on campus.

 

The YSU Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to restore the mansion portion of the Wick-Pollock Inn at 603 Wick Ave. as a single-family residence, designating it as the official home of YSU’s president.

 

In a related move, the trustees voted to change the name of the structure to the Porter and Mary Pollock House.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/feb/04/new-ysu-president-will-have-residence-campus/

Frangos Eyes Student Housing for Wick;

City Seeks Cleanup Funds for Erie Terminal

 

April 2, 2010 7:14 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Lou Frangos is rethinking his plans for the Wick Building to offer more student housing rather than upscale apartments for professionals, the Cleveland developer said Thursday.

 

Five apartments have been leased in the Realty Towers building, which Frangos company, The Frangos Group, has developed into upscale apartments. The Frangos Group owns several parking lots and buildings downtown, including Realty Towers and the Wick and Erie Terminal buildings.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/frangos-eyes-student-housing-for-wickbrcity-seeks-cleanup-funds-for-erie-p16129.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

I wish someone would build a hotel in downtown Youngstown. If the interchange of I-80 and SR46 had a state college, a convocation center, and numerous office buildings with major new employers coming in, you can be sure more than one hotel would be there. Instead, downtown Youngstown doesn't have any hotels because of security worries and bad reputation....

 

Florida Car Dealer to Build Austintown Hotel

May 5, 2010 6:39 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio -- The heavily traveled Interstate 80 exit at state Route 46 is providing an on-ramp for a Florida car dealer to get into the hotel business.

 

A planned Holiday Inn Express behind the Bob Evans Restaurant at the I-80 ramps at Route 46 hopefully will be under way by mid-June, said Frank Pasqualetti, the franchisee for the new hotel.

 

Pasqualetti, owner of Stateline Auto Group, is in the process of moving from Florida to what had been a secondary residence in Cortland, in part because of the hotel.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/florida-car-dealer-to-build-austintown-hotel-p16389.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

Valley Foods, V&M Star Get More Help

May 7, 2010 7:02 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio City Council last evening approved legislation that could help a Valley Foods Inc. to expand and give help V&M Star more help with its massive construction project.

 

Council gave the go-ahead for the city's Board of Control to grant Valley Foods up to $120,000 to help finance its efforts to purchase and expand into the former Weatherbee Coat factory on East Federal Street.

 

Valley Foods owner John Valley said it’s too early to talk about the project, but confirmed that the company wants to purchase the building for future use.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/valley-foods-vm-star-get-more-help-p16409.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

I wish someone would build a hotel in downtown Youngstown. If the interchange of I-80 and SR46 had a state college, a convocation center, and numerous office buildings with major new employers coming in, you can be sure more than one hotel would be there. Instead, downtown Youngstown doesn't have any hotels because of security worries and bad reputation....

 

I meant to reply to this sooner, but I've been busy/distracted.

 

You may already know, but Lou Frangos owns the Stambaugh Building.  He has said, in the past, that he wanted to convert the Stambaugh Building into a hotel, but it was cost-prohibitive.

 

There were also some people who were disapointed that YSU didn't decide to use the Wick-Pollack mansion as a hotel/lab for it's hospitality students.

City OKs Work for VXI, Exal Projects

May 14, 2010 6:48 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Youngstown officials Thursday approved agreements related to a prospective development projects involving VXI Global Solutions Inc. and Exal Corp.

 

The city Board of Control approved extending the scope of work in its contract with Ricottilli Construction Co., Poland, for demolition work on the fifth floor of 20 Federal Place, and increasing the amount of the contract to $72,000 from $21,000. The increase was required to cover additional demolition work requested by VXI, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works. Rather than go out for bid for the additional work, city officials chose to expand the scope of the contract with Ricottilli.

 

Los Angeles-based VXI, which operates a call center on the building's fourth floor, requested the additional work to prepare the space for the potential $2.7 million expansion. As part of its lease, VXI has an option on the fifth floor space.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/clients/business-journal/city-oks-work-for-vxi-exal-projects-p16462.htm?twindow=Default&smenu=1&mad=No

Council OKs tax breaks

Published: Thu, May 20, 2010 @ 12:00 a.m.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

City council agreed to provide 75 percent, 10-year tax abatements to two businesses wanting to grow in Youngstown.

 

The city’s board of control also must approve the tax breaks for MS Consultants and Coronado Steel. Council gave its approval Wednesday.

 

MS plans to spend between $1.575 million and $2.4 million for a 6,800-square-foot addition and to renovate its 20,000-square-foot building on East Federal Street.

 

Coronado Steel on Funston Drive plans to spend $780,000 to build a 9,760-square-foot machine-and-fabrication shop to serve as an adjunct to its steel foundry.

 

http://www.vindy.com/news/2010/may/20/council-oks-tax-breakssflb/?newswatch