Downtown Youngstown Eatery gets OK to make exterior upgrade

 

Published: Wed, August 24, 2011 @ 12:06 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

City officials halted work on a downtown Italian restaurant because the owners didn’t have the required building permits.

 

Roberto’s Italian Ristorante got approval Tuesday from the city’s Design Review Committee at a special meeting for the exterior improvements, which include moving the front doors about 21/2 feet from the front of the building.

 

The approval from the committee will make it easier for the restaurant to receive an exterior building permit, said Charles Shasho, a DRC member and deputy director of the city’s public works department.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/aug/24/downtown-youngstown-eatery-gets-ok-to-ma/

Missed this one earlier:

 

History center gets 2 gifts of $500K

Published: Wed, August 24, 2011 @ 12:03 a.m.

Staff report

 

Youngstown

 

The Mahoning Valley Historical Society has received two $500,000 naming-rights gifts for its regional history museum, which is under construction.

 

The main exhibit gallery on the first floor of the new Tyler Mahoning Valley History Center on Federal Street downtown will be named for the Frank and Pearl Gelbman Foundation. The historic ballroom on the second floor of the museum will be named for the late Paul J. Thomas and his wife, Marguerite K. Thomas.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/aug/24/history-center-gets-2-gifts-of-500k/

Also has a nice photo of the old railroad station that was inside the building with Erie Railroad offices in the upper floors....

 

Financial deal OK’d for Erie building

Company gets $2M loan, $350K for apartments

Published: Tue, August 30, 2011 @ 12:07 a.m.

By David Skolnick

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The city’s board of control approved a financial package — including a $2 million low-interest loan and $350,000 for water utility expenses — for the company converting the vacant Erie Terminal building into a 65-bed apartment complex.

 

The board had a special meeting Monday to approve the agreement with Erie Terminal Place, a Poland company owned by Dominic Marchionda, who also owns U.S. Campus Suites.

 

“It’s a great project that continues the link between downtown and the university,” said city Finance Director David Bozanich, a member of the board of control.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/aug/30/financial-deal-ok8217d-for-erie-building/

Roth Bros. Plans $1.2M Plant Renovation

Aug. 30, 2011 6:30 a.m.

 

AUSTINTOWN, Ohio -- Roth Bros. Inc. plans to complete a $1.2 million renovation of its headquarters here and add 55 jobs over three years using an incentive approved Monday by the Ohio Tax Credit Authority.

 

The 40% tax credit over the next six years will assist Roth Bros., 3847 Crum Road, with financing the project, which includes $900,000 in renovations and $300,000 for new machinery and equipment. The tax credit has an estimated value of $263,492 and the average wage of the new jobs to be created will be $15 an hour.

 

Roth Bros., founded in 1923, employs nearly 500 workers at plants across the United States. The company serves the construction industry with engineered heating ventilation and cooling, roofing and building facility services including energy management and performance contracting.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/roth-bros-plans-m-plant-renovation-p19888-1.htm

City of Youngstown OKs request for bike-rack sculpture

Published: Wed, September 7, 2011 @ 12:03 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

Bike-rack sculptures, designed to promote art and to encourage people to ride bicycles, in the city’s downtown should be ready for use in a month, according to the artist building the racks.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/sep/07/city-oks-request-for-bike-rack-sculpture/

 

This may be a small project, but the racks that are already there add more character to downtown.  I look forward to seeing these installed.

Youngstown seeks funds for cleaning up building, partial demolition

 

Published: Fri, September 16, 2011 @ 12:06 a.m.

 

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The city is seeking state money to clean up and partially demolish the former Wean United Building downtown.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/sep/16/city-seeks-funds-for-cleaning-up-buildin/

Several organizations have been considering this work over the past two years as the first step toward developing the area below the Market Street bridge, including with a possible intermodal transportation center with provisions for a train station too.

^I've seen the sketches you've provided before.  I think that would be a terrific use of the remaining building and riverfront.

Residential renaissance takes root

 

Published: Sun, September 18, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

You won’t find vacancy signs outside two renovated upper-scale downtown apartment buildings.

 

All 23 units at the Realty Tower Apartments, 47 Central Federal St., and the 14 apartments at the Federal Building, at Phelps and Federal streets, are rented. There are waiting lists for both buildings in case anything opens.

 

Also, the V2 Wine Bar Trattoria, a restaurant to be operated by the owner of Vernon’s Caf in Niles, will open in about a week on the first floor of the Federal Building. In about six weeks, Joe Maxx Coffee will fill the space that used to house the Bean Counter on the ground floor of Realty.

 

On top of that, a Poland company is converting the Erie Terminal building at 112 W. Commerce St. into a 65-bed apartment complex with Friends Roastery, a caf and coffee-roasting shop, on its ground floor. The project should be done by the second quarter of next year.

 

And there is talk of the Stambaugh Building at 44 E. Federal St. being converted into a combination of retail stores, a hotel and apartments, but there is no time frame for that.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/sep/18/residential-renaissance-takes-root/

I'd heard at the Mahoning Valley All Aboard Ohio meeting 10 days ago that the Realty Tower had filled up, but I hadn't heard about the others.

 

This is definitely a story that needs to be shared more, not just in Youngstown but in other cities too!

Renovation of Pollock House set to resume

Published: Fri, September 30, 2011 @ 12:01 a.m.

By Denise Dick

 

[email protected]

 

Youngstown

 

Construction to renovate the historic Porter and Mary Pollock House is resuming with completion expected in May.

 

...

 

Earlier this year, project plans had to be scaled back after initial bids came in way over budget.

 

The original concept for the university-owned mansion was historical restoration, but after bids came in too high, that was changed to more of an adaptive reuse, officials have said.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/sep/30/renovation-of-pollock-house-set-to-resum/

I don't know who this guy is but I hope he's better than Frangos........

 

Marchionda Bids to Buy Erie Terminal

Oct. 20, 2010 7:14 a.m.

By Dan O'Brien

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- It's not a done deal, but an agreement signed last week could pave the way for a Poland developer to buy the Erie Terminal Building and convert it into apartments for university students.

 

Dominic Marchionda, principal of US Campus Suites LLC, confirmed that he's signed a contract with downtown developer Lou Frangos to purchase the building.

 

"Right now, our plan is to do our due diligence," Marchionda said. "If the numbers make sense, we hope to close by the end of the year."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/marchionda-bids-to-buy-erie-terminal-p17738-1.htm

^That article is from a year ago.  The project is slowly moving forward, see your post above, from August 30th.

That's funny. Someone sent it to me today. I saw the Oct. 20 on it so I never bothered to look at the year. Wow....

Governor’s order clears hurdle for local racetrack

October 21, 2011

By JOSHUA S. FLESHER - reporter ([email protected]) , Tribune Chronicle | TribToday.com

 

Gov. John Kasich on Thursday signed an executive order defining the application process for the relocation of race track facilities, clearing another hurdle for a race track to relocate in the Mahoning Valley.

 

''It's another significant step forward,'' said Bob Tenenbaum, spokesman with Penn National Gaming Inc. ''The fact that the administration issued the executive order to be done on an emergency basis and the commission acted quickly to implement those rules moves this process forward.''

 

Penn National has proposed to move Raceway Park in Toledo to a new $150 million facility in Austintown.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/563128/Governor-s-order-clears-hurdle-for-local-racetrack.html?nav=5021

I'm hearing some rumblings about several major new manufacturing plants are in the offing for the valley.

 

One is a project that's been talked about for almost two years -- V&M Steel's proposed $300 million melt shop. It looks like that's a go, and will add to the $650 million, 1-million-square-foot steel plant now under construction to make seamless pipe for the natural gas industry. But V&M is also considering adding a $100 million finishing plant to its Youngstown complex that is steadily filling in two linear miles of the Mahoning Valley between Division Street bridge and Interstate 80.

 

And just as exciting, a Texas-based company (don't know the name of it) which makes compressors and pumps for natural gas transmission is considering building a large new manufacturing plant in Youngstown that would mean the hiring of hundreds of new employees. Already, longtime valley corporate citizen Dearing Compressor and Pump Company has expanded with a $3 million, 56,000-square-foot addition to its manufacturing operations in Boardman.

 

I hope all of these new job-producing investments occur!

All these Ytown developments are astounding. After decades of decline, perhaps the city will see a population stabilization?

All these Ytown developments are astounding. After decades of decline, perhaps the city will see a population stabilization?

 

I certainly hope so, especially after the last census.  Ouch!  I am pretty excited to be going to school back home and watch my home area show signs of growth.  I just think the neighborhoods in Youngstown have a very, very long way to go.  Youngstown 2010 seems pretty stagnant.  Am I wrong?

^The city is re-writing its zoning code. (for the 1st time since the late 1960's)  This is a much needed step toward implementation of the 2010 plan.

http://www.cityofyoungstownoh.org/city_hall/departments/planning/redevelopment/index.aspx

 

Mayor Sammarone has promised to make quality of life issues in the neighborhoods his priority.  It's too soon to know how effective the changes he has made will be in the long run, (i.e. spot code enforcement sweeps) and I don't know what additional changes are to come, but I think it's a good start.

 

Sure, many neighborhoods have a long way to go.  But, for the first time in a long time, there are strong signs of improvement in some.  I don't know much about it, but the Idora Neighborhood is often held up as a shining example of a neighborhood that was at the brink of destruction, but is now doing well, and is seeing reinvestment.  I recently bought a second house to restore and move into, in the Wick Park Neighborhood.  There are signs of reinvestment (in addition to my own) in that neighborhood, too.

All these Ytown developments are astounding. After decades of decline, perhaps the city will see a population stabilization?

 

I'm hopeful of that too. There were more 10,000 oil/gas drilling permits awarded by the state so far this year, and all of them are limited to the area from Lake and Ashtabula counties south to Monroe County near Bellaire, and not going more than two or three counties west of the Pennsylvania/West Virginia line. The Youngstown-Warren area is in the heart of this area, and is trying to position itself as the nat-gas "toolbox" for the controversial Marcellus/Utica shale plays. So far, it's paying off with new economic growth. Whether that will mean long-term population, only time will tell.

Purple Cat looking to expand downtown Youngstown

Published: Wed, November 2, 2011 @ 12:08 a.m.

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

The owner of a downtown agency that provides job skills and education to the mentally and physically impaired is looking to expand to a long-vacant West Federal Street building.

 

Jimmy Sutman, who founded and has run the Purple Cat since 2003, needs additional space and has a tentative agreement to buy the Kress Building, 111 W. Federal St., from the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/nov/02/downtown-agency-looking-to-expand/

This is intriguing........

 

http://jobs.cleveland.com/jobs/detail/43134874?jobId=43134874

 

EXECUTIVE PROJECT MANAGER - COMPANY CONFIDENTIAL, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

 

Source: The Plain Dealer Employment Ads

Location: YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio

Date: 11/13/2011

 

Job Details

 

Construction

Executive Project Manager Electrical contractor seeks an experienced (15+ years) project manager to run a $25 million industrial construction project in northern Ohio. Responsible for P&L, management of project team including superintendent, scheduling and procurement. Project is a precursor to a new operating division. Full benefits. To be considered, send your resume, industrial project list, references, and salary history. Principals only. EOE

[email protected]

 

__________________

 

On their website http://www.tekbuilds.us/ they list the following likely suspected work (but for which client, it isn't known)....

 

Gas Well / Midstream Support

 

TEK provides construction services to the gas industry’s Midstream Operations in areas such as E&S, site work, foundations, buildings, equipment procurement and installation, mechanical work and inspection. Being conveniently located in the heart of the Marcellus Shale gas fields, TEK offers the construction expertise required to complete your projects as a GC, CM or Prime Trade Contractor.

 

So are these job postings.....

 

 

NPI (New Product Introduction) Project Manager - 6 Sigma Black Belt

Caterpillar Inc. - Pulaski, PA

http://arbita.jobhost.org/viewjob.php?id=1473764

 

 

Engineer - Electrical

Caterpillar Inc. - Pulaski, PA

http://arbita.jobhost.org/viewjob.php?id=1479008

 

 

Engineer - Mechanical

Caterpillar Inc. - Pulaski, PA

http://arbita.jobhost.org/viewjob.php?id=1479094

 

 

EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) Senior Associate

Caterpillar Inc. - Pulaski, PA

http://arbita.jobhost.org/viewjob.php?id=1473671

 

Did you know that Caterpillar makes oilfield/gasfield equipment including compressors, drilling/mining equipment and other industrial services?

 

Did you know that Caterpillar doesn't have a factory (yet) in Pulaski, PA -- which is 10 miles due east of Youngstown?

Sorry, one more......

 

http://www.corp-corp.com/JS/JS_view_job.aspx?js=1495491&aid=INDEED&*%20%20&utm_source=Indeed&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Indeed

 

It took me a while, but I think I have this figured out. Ernst & Young appears to be seeking an project manager/architect to oversee the design of a global IT/data repository facility representing an investment of up to $10 million somewhere in/near Youngstown, possibly downtown based on the text in the original link to this listing:  "Majestic Systems Integration Inc - Youngstown, OH 44555 (Downtown area)"

Ground Broken for $7M Inn at Ironwood

Nov. 17, 2011 6:42 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

CANFIELD, Ohio -- Signs haven't gone up and an opening is nearly a year off, but Edward J. Reese reports that the Inn at Ironwood assisted living residence is already attracting interest.

 

The CEO of EDM Management Corp. said at Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony for the 55,000-square-foot center that he has "strong inquiries" for spots in the 64-unit complex, which will include four double-occupancy units. The $7 million senior residence is slated to open in October 2012.

 

Located on Route 224 just off Route 11 on property owned by the Naffah family, the Inn at Ironwood will fill a void in Canfield, which lacks an assisted living center, Reese said. "Contrary to some beliefs that people just go south or whatever, a lot of people stay [and] a lot of people come back," he remarked.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/ground-broken-for-m-inn-at-ironwood-p20425-1.htm

The Wean United plant is next to the Market Street bridge linking the south side and I-680 to downtown. The decaying building is not a good first impression of downtown, and needs to be demolished so the site can be marketed and redeveloped....

 

City Gets $1.77M for Wean Demolition

Nov. 21, 2011 6:51 a.m.

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The city has been awarded $1.77 million for demolition and remediation work at the former Wean United plant, 218 S. Phelps St. The funds will be used to remediate impacted soils, remove asbestos and universal waste, and demolish the existing buildings.

 

The award is part of $27.5 million in Clean Ohio Revitalization Fund grants for 15 brownfield clean-up projects across the state, which are expected to create and retain nearly 1,280 jobs, state officials announced Friday. The funding, approved at a Clean Ohio Council awards meeting, enables the reuse of idle commercial and industrial properties.

 

The city plans to demolish 140,000 square feet, or 40%, of the building, the city's economic development director, T. Sharon Woodberry, said in September. Located just southeast of the central business district, adjacent to the Market Street bridge, the dilapidated South Phelps Street building, which sits along one of the major gateways into downtown, "has always been on our radar," she said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/city-gets-m-for-wean-demolition-p20445-1.htm

See also the Y-town general biz thread for several business expansions that should add several hundred new jobs.....

 

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,8297.msg590741.html#new

 

City Eyes Funds for Kress, Rayen Buildings

Dec. 6, 2011 6:30 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- City Council this week will consider applying to the Clean Ohio Assistance Fund to assist a pair of downtown area projects.

 

Legislation is on the council agenda for Wednesday night's meeting to apply for $300,000 from the fund to perform asbestos abatement at the Kress Building, at 111 W. Federal St. Legislation is also before Council to consider seeking $300,000 from Clean Ohio for demolition of the Rayen Building, 158 W. Rayen Ave., to support redevelopment of the former Mighty Moe's restaurant, 305 Elm St., near Youngstown State University.

 

Jim Suttman, CEO Of Iron and String Life Enhancement Inc. has an option to purchase the Kress Building. Iron and String operates programs for individuals with developmental disabilities and plans to renovate the building for a potential relocation or expansion of its Purple Cat program, as well as office space, residential apartments and possibly a food market where retailers could rent space, Suttman said in late October. The 91-year old, 7,700-square-foot building is owned by the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/city-eyes-funds-for-kress-rayen-buildings-p20543-1.htm

Some bad news...

 

Historic house on YSU campus placed back on demolition list

 

Published: Wed, December 7, 2011 @ 12:05 a.m.

 

By Denise Dick

 

[email protected]

 

Youngstown

 

Nearly a year after the historic Thompson-Sacherman House on the Youngstown State University campus got a temporary reprieve from the wrecking ball, it’s again set for demolition.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/dec/07/historic-house-on-ysu-campus-placed-back/

I remember when the power plant still stood, and even walked around the site in the late 80s after it was shut down....

 

 

At Last, Mahoningside Site Ready for Use

Dec. 8, 2011 6:46 a.m.

By Dan O'Brien

 

WARREN, Ohio -- What once was this city's biggest eyesore is today its most promising site for new development.

 

City officials held a press event Wednesday to mark the end of a 12-year effort to remediate 6.5 acres that was the site of the Mahoningside power plant along Summit Street.

 

"We've had some mild interest in this site," Mayor Michael O'Brien told the press. "Its proximity to the downtown, the Riverwalk, the amphitheater and the river -- I'm sure it'll be an attractive place."

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/at-last-mahoningside-site-ready-for-use-p20558-1.htm

Cross-posted from the Marcellus-Utica thread. I'd heard about this plant but was told it would be a large facility that would produce more jobs than this. But 103 added jobs is just fine....

 

Exterran Energy to Build $13.2M Plant

Dec. 20, 2011 7:02 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A Houston company that manufactures equipment for the natural gas industry wants to locate on 20 acres of city-owned property where Exal Corporation had planned a $400 million expansion, but city and Exal officials say that doesn't put an end to that project.

 

Exterran Energy Solutions LP plans to build a $13.2 million, 65,000-square-foot plant at the Salt Springs Industrial Park, where it would employ 103 workers, according to legislation to be considered Wednesday by City Council.

 

Exterran designs and builds equipment used to compress natural gas. Its parent, Exterran Holdings Inc., "serves customers across the energy spectrum -- from producers to transporters to processors to storage owners," according to its website. The company has more than 10,000 employees and operates in 30 counties.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/exterran-energy-to-build-m-plant-p20641-1.htm

Remaking downtown Youngstown

Published: Sun, December 25, 2011 @ 12:09 a.m.

By Todd Franko (Contact)

 

From a sixth-floor vantage point, Dominic Marchionda looks down at the bustle of downtown Youngstown.

 

“Look at all those cars,” he says with a grin that’s as boyish as it is convincing.

 

Downtown has been slowly creeping back to life the last few years.

 

Marchionda rattles off the projects that have arrived. In 2010, it was Realty Tower. In 2011, it was the Federal Building. He points, too, to the restaurants and the tech jobs.

 

In 2012, it will be Marchionda’s year.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/dec/25/keep-faith-in-the-city-keep-faith/

Downtown Youngstown Stays Up Late

Jan. 4, ,2012 6:39 a.m.

By George Nelson

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Having marked just over three years at its West Federal Street address, the nightspot known as Downtown 36 is undergoing a makeover -- everything from its name that hangs above the front door to the rear wall -- as it participates in the resurgence of nightlife activity along West Federal Street.

 

Part of that makeover consists of a new name -- well, a new name-numeral.

 

Contractors were at work Tuesday inside the space scheduled to reopen Feb. 3 as 9ine Lounge and Nightclub, says co-owner Joseph Safarek.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://business-journal.com/downtown-youngstown-stays-up-late-p20705-1.htm

:(

 

Exal Corp. scraps Youngstown expansion plan

Published: Wed, January 11, 2012 @ 10:33 a.m.

Exal Corp. scraps Youngstown expansion plan

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

An Exal Corp. expansion project in Youngstown will not move forward, a company spokeswoman said Wednesday.

 

(a little) More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jan/11/exal-corp-scraps-youngstown-expansion-pl/?nw

That sucks. I'll be in Youngstown tomorrow and will ask someone who should know if anything else is being considered instead for that site.

^ This article answers your question, I think.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jan/12/exal-nixes--job-m-expansion-plan/

Thanks. I completely forgot to ask Eric about this today! Glad the Vindy did it for me!

Another article about the Exal expansion!

 

Exal Official Denies $400M Plant Off

Jan. 12, 2012 1:59 p.m.

By George Nelson

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- A representative of Exal Corp. denies that plans for the company's proposed $400 million plant here have been canceled.

 

Spokeswoman Brenda Oman told The Business Journal today the project is "still in the planning stages" and the company is working to sign up customers to justify the investment in the new plant, which is projected to employ 300 workers. "We have not closed the book on it," she remarked.

 

More: http://business-journal.com/exal-official-denies-m-plant-off-p20771-1.htm

On again, off again, on again....

The new convenience store/cafe/restaurant downtown is called "Downtown Circle."  I found out tonight that the owner of that store is going to completely renovate the store at the corner of Elm and Baldwin, in the Wick Park neighborhood, which is fantastic news.  But, in keeping with his naming theme, he is going to name it University Circle. (a little bit of Cleveland accidentally finds its way to Youngstown :D)

A little more information about Youngstown's University Circle: http://www.shoutyoungstown.blogspot.com/2012/01/renovations-on-university-circle.html

Paramount on Display in Pictures, Memories

Jan. 20, 2012 7:02 a.m.

By Joe Giesy

 

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- After three decades of deterioration and several attempts at restoration, the Liberty-Paramount Theater could become a downtown entertainment venue once again.

 

Beginning as a dream of Anita Lin's after she retired from the Ballet Western Reserve, the Paramount Project was launched with a Clean Ohio grant for $803,000 and $200,000 from the city. But the project still needs another $4.5 million, Lin said Thursday at a private reception hosted by the Paramount Project Committee at the McDonough Museum of Art.

 

"A few people and I got together and imagined what Youngstown could be with something that's been an eyesore for so many years so we dreamed up this cultural commons," Lin said.

 

READ MORE AND SEE THE RENDERING POSTED AT:

http://business-journal.com/paramount-on-display-in-pictures-memories-p20823-1.htm

Plans sink for upgrading downtown building

Published: Mon, January 23, 2012 @ 12:05 a.m.

 

By David Skolnick

 

[email protected]

 

YOUNGSTOWN

 

After failing to receive state historic tax credits twice and other setbacks, the plans of the owner of an agency to revitalize the long-vacant Kress Building in the city’s downtown are essentially over.

 

“I haven’t raised the white flag yet, but I’m pretty close,” said Jimmy Sutman, owner and founder of the Purple Cat.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/jan/23/plans-sink-for-upgrading-downtown-buildi/

 

Here is the building in 2008:

A couple of photos from this past Monday when I was in town to give a presentation. From left to right, the Realty Apartments, First National Tower, and the Stambaugh Building...

 

 

Eastwood Mall plans hotel, conference center

Published: Wed, February 1, 2012 @ 12:10 a.m.

By Karl Henkel

 

[email protected]

 

NILES

 

...

 

The Cafaro Co., owners of the mall, said Tuesday that preliminary discussions are under way to build an 85,000-square-foot, four-story, 100-suite, nationally branded hotel at the mall at 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road.

 

More: http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/feb/01/eastwood-mall-plans-hotel-conference-cen/

Sorry, but downtown needs a hotel, not a dull, dying mall.

^I agree.  I'd much rather see these development dollars going to downtown Niles, Warren, or Youngstown. (in order of proximity)

But in order of size of market, who else has so many offices so close, such a large state-run university with conferences and researchers so close, so many university athletics so close, a convocation center that draws for sports, concerts and conventions so close.

 

I would argue that no place in the Greater Youngstown-Warren area has as much need for a hotel as downtown Youngstown, and that includes the Boardman-Poland area.

Again, not that I disagree, but keep in mind that the Eastwood mall is in Niles.  I think you're thinking of Southern Park mall.

Nope, I know of Eastwood Mall. And my family has lived about a mile from Southern Park Mall since the early 70s.

 

I mentioned Boardman because it seems that's where most of the region's hotels are located.

Nope, I know of Eastwood Mall. And my family has lived about a mile from Southern Park Mall since the early 70s.

 

I mentioned Boardman because it seems that's where most of the region's hotels are located.

 

Speaking of hotels in Boardman, Poland, and Canfield.  There is a new Hampton Inn along Route 11 and another new hotel they are building beside it that seems to be a different brand that I have never heard of.  Foundation is pretty much finished and it is starting to go up.