Parkway Towers Revisited

[northside lurker]

Yes, they did try to sell it.  But for an inflated price.  From what I've heard, and based on the realtor's comments in the article, the deal fell through because the owners were unwilling to negotiate a reasonable price.  I see no problem with letting the owners keep their lease with AT&T after the sale, in exchange for managing the property.

[Towntalk]

The owners did try to sell it, but the deal fell through. As to ATT, the current owners could continue their contract with ATT in return for managing the building in place of any other management fees. They would have to have an on site manager and janitor there on a full time basis.

[Towntalk]

In one of the articles about the Parkway Tower, the writer  referred to it being "downtown" WRONG, it's on the NORTH SIDE. Others often refer to Stambaugh Auditorium as being "downtown" WRONG AGAIN, it's on the NORTH SIDE just as the bulk of YSU is on the NORTH SIDE and NOT "downtown". Historically, the NORTH SIDE begins at RAYEN AVENUE and proceeds to GYPSEY LANE, and historically the immediate area NORTH of Rayen Avenue was known as the North Hill district whre ALL the wealthy families built their mansions.
These UPSTART JOURNALISTS need to get their facts streight!

[northside lurker]

I understand that, because it's their property, the owners of the building don't have to sell it.  But, if they are unwilling to sell it, then they need to properly maintain the building.  If they are unwilling to properly maintain the building, then pressure needs to be applied to them to either start properly maintaining it, or sell it at a price that makes sense for a developer who wants to restore the building.  I don't see why taxpayers, and financially strapped local institutions should pay an inflated price to buy and restore a building, and then let the previous owners continue to milk cash from their lease with AT&T.

[Towntalk]

Ron: Read your comments on this topic and agree with you.
How's this: The city, working with YSU; Stambaugh Auditorium; and DeYor to acquire the building to turn it into a hotel, and as for the ATT tower on the roof, some provision could be made to allow the current owners to keep their agreement with ATT in return for managing the building on behalf of Stambaugh; DeYor and YSU. This would be a win win for all concerned.
As I said, the out of town folks that perform at both DeYor and Stambaugh Auditorium have to stay at hotels outside of the city, and this plan would be more convient for both venues as well as YSU.

[Towntalk]

Here's a good article about the once plush Parkway Towers.

The manager of the Stambaugh Auditorium has a good idea of turning it into a hotel for the use of Stambaugh Auditorium as well as YSU.

It's good to see though that the city's D'Avignon said that so far as the city is concerned, demolition is not an option.

The big question is how much would it cost to renovate the building, but if both YSU and Stambaugh Auditorium collaborated to acquire the building, they would have access to sources to get the job done.

Likewise DeYor should also be brought into the picture since they also bring in shows from out of the area that could use it since now they have to stay in either Boardman or Liberty while they are here.


http://www.vindy.com/news/2013/oct/27/restore-plush-parkway/