Downtown developer Dominic Marchionda, president of Erie Terminal, LLC, confirmed on Wednesday that a hotel is coming to downtown Youngstown.
Marchionda said the hotel, which he would not name, will be located at the Stambaugh Building on Federal Plaza at Central Square. He said more details, including architectural renderings, will be released in the next four to six weeks.
A feasibility study on the project is expected to be finished this week and Marchionda said it appears to be positive.
On Tuesday, Marchionda and business partner Michael Naffah announced they purchased the former Pig Iron Press building after successfully submitting the top bid at a sheriff's sale. They said they have no specific plans for the property, which was foreclosed last year.
Naffah of Naffah Hospitality Group, LLC, owns and operates Hampton Inn & Suites in Canfield, the Shale Tavern & Grille in Lisbon, The Embassy banquet center in Boardman and Inner Circle Pizza in Canfield.
Marchionda renovated the former Erie Terminal building into a 40-unit apartment building known as Erie Terminal Place.
Since the Stambaugh Building was never configured as a hotel, there are certain things that it couldn't have such as a ballroom, but aside from that, it could have meeting rooms, essential to attracting conventions, a restaurant that was of a higher class capable of catering services for conventions as well as serving the general public.
The question is, how many suites could it have, and how many single rooms. The building certainly is large enough with 12 floors so that at least two could be devoted to suites (sitting room, bedroom, and bath) taking up the top two floors, while the lower floors would have single rooms with bath. The 5th through 10th floor could hold single rooms. This would leave the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floor for Lobby, a restaurant and bar, and meeting rooms, as well as hotel offices.
We'll also be anxious to see the plans for the hotel once they are released.
This is a crucial project and must be completed the proper way. We can't let this project get screwed up. It will have major ramifications for Downtown and YSU.
it will come to life aslong as business people lead the way.
This isn't official but Naffah has a working relation with Hampton Inn and if they become involved, the hotel would be quality and would be a real boost for downtown Youngstown. If a national company was interested in making a major investment in downtown Youngstown that would send signals to other national companies to come in, especially retail businesses.
ytown is exactly right, this project is crucial for Youngstown.
Just how it would affect YSU is hard to say, but if our city dads don't try to micromanage it, but give it their full support, we might see the downtown once again be a busy area with a great mix of retail and entertainment businesses.
I'll let you know what, in terms of interest, Naffah has with the hotel. I know him and he is close with members of my family. Naturally I will keep most of what I know hush hush until something is official.
What cities have seen new retail move into their downtowns? I won't hold my breath, as long as Southern Park Mall, Eastwood Mall, etc. remain in business.
Some links to downtown retail growth across the country:
http://www.newwest.net/main/article/salt_lake_denver_downtowns_get_a_retail_boost/ (http://www.newwest.net/main/article/salt_lake_denver_downtowns_get_a_retail_boost/)
http://www.synergyrs.com/site/city-guide-community-spotlight-downtown-retail-turning-the-corner/ (http://www.synergyrs.com/site/city-guide-community-spotlight-downtown-retail-turning-the-corner/)
http://www.indydt.com/revitalizationbackgrounder.cfm (http://www.indydt.com/revitalizationbackgrounder.cfm)
http://www.annistonstar.com/pages/full_story/push?article-New+retail+trends+present+opportunity+for+downtown+growth+in+Anniston-+Jacksonville%20&id=20933269 (http://www.annistonstar.com/pages/full_story/push?article-New+retail+trends+present+opportunity+for+downtown+growth+in+Anniston-+Jacksonville%20&id=20933269)
Small upstart businesses for one. It will take time but don't count it out. Remember there was a time when people said that the downtown area was dead, and would never come back, yet look at it today. Tell me that the downtown area is dead ... that nothing nor anyone would make an investment in downtown Youngstown. That it was and always be a hopeless task. A fools venture.
If a small town of 9000 souls can maintain a thriving central business district complete with retail stores in spite of a regional mall why can't Youngstown see a growth of small shops come downtown. Remember one thing most large stores got their start as Mom and Pop stores. They did it through hard work on their part. They didn't get it handed to them by grants.
I for one am sick and tired of the thinking that all that will ever come downtown are fly infested greasy spoon restaurants.
What is needed is a downtown board of trade with fire in it's belly that will do the job.
I'm also sick and tired of the thought process that says the only answer for downtown rests with the arts community.
It wasn't the arts community that brought three highrise apartment complexes downtown. It isn't the arts community that is planning a hotel for downtown.
First, let me apoligize for pulling another thread off-topic. A hotel opening downtown is, indeed, great news!
QuoteSmall upstart businesses for one.
We already have some of that. Some newer than others. (Silvers Vogue Shop, The Connection, Two Guy/Girls Clothes, etc.)
QuoteIf a small town of 9000 souls can maintain a thriving central business district
complete with retail stores...
The key word there is "maintain." My hometown of Massillon had a traditional JC Penny's dept. store until the late 90's. But now, even though the downtown has since really turned around, they (Penny's, or any other retailers) haven't come back.
QuoteI for one am sick and tired of the thinking that all that will ever come
downtown are fly infested greasy spoon restaurants.
Who thinks that? I like greasy spoon restaurants. (you can keep the flies, though) I liked the Hub, until the quality of the food started to decline. I think that would be a perfect place for an Edward Hopper Nighthawks style diner. The only other place that I can think of, that I'd consider a greasy spoon, would be the Draught House, and I don't venture in there often, because it has more of a bar atmosphere.
Most of the businesses in my hometown's downtown are locally owned, including the downtown movie palace.
As to here, Silvers has been downtown forever so to speak. I want to see a wide variety of retail stores ...
As to restaurants, as you well know I'm very snooty as to where I tie on the feed bag. They have to have a menu that would be spotlighted on Iron Chef America. As far as I know, most of the restaurants downtown are glorified sandwitch shops, and that just doesn't cut it. Shoot, I can duplicate most of their meals right here at home at half the price.
By the way when I refer to "fly infested greasy spoon" for those who may be new here, I'm refering to any restaurant that doesn't serve high class meals in an up market atmosphere, and unfortunately the only one we had in downtown Youngstown closed recently, but I hear that the chef from that restaurant is planning to open up another class act restaurant downtown, so there is hope.
The executive chef from the Youngstown Club became part owner of Dooney's.
I don't watch Iron Chef, so have no idea what you're looking for. But calling most downtown places "glorified sandwich shops" is an over-generalization, IMO.
Let me put it this way my friend ... have you ever eaten in the finest restaurants in New York or Los Vegas?
Have you ever had a meal prepared by a world class chef?
One such chef is based in Cleveland ... Michael Symon ... an Iron Chef with a world class reputation.
Each year, my friends go up to Cleveland to take in a concert and dine in one of his restaurants.
http://lolabistro.com/ (http://lolabistro.com/)
Dooney's days are numbered.... You heard it here first. Some folks. Remaining nameless, have no idea how to run a business. Something much better will move in there at some point. That location has so much going for it.
tt have you ate at roberto's or cafe cimmento's? these restaurants are more then a sandwich and a glass of milk jts. mike symn and his wife do ran top notch upper crust rests. but i bet the rests. in mah valley can give mike a ran for his money. i think mike works at outdoor rest. during the summer in cl.
Quote from: ytowner on March 11, 2013, 09:35:30 PM
Dooney's days are numbered.... You heard it here first. Some folks. Remaining nameless, have no idea how to run a business. Something much better will move in there at some point. That location has so much going for it.
would it be one of the owners's fault due to his tomfoolery?
No and no ... my blueblood tastes run towards super fine dining as opposed to working mans grub ... call me a snob ... but if I'm gonna dine out the least I would consider is lobster thermadore, the very finest beef, and fine vintage wine from France.
I once had a sip of some $300/bottle wine, and I wasn't at all impressed. It was extremely dry; it smelled like rubbing alcohol, and tasted just as bad. (but I don't like wine, anyway)
Also, while in Italy, I've had very memorable meals with friends in both Rome, and Urbino. The food served was a lot more like what is served at Roberto's than some haute couture restaurant.
:-* So far as Italian food is concerned, it's among the best ... better in many ways than French ... provided that it's prepared in the classic Italian manner. But I have failed to find any local Italian restaurant that prepared their sauces in a true classic Italian manner. A first generation Italian lady friend of my mother's taught her how to make classic Italian pasta sauce, and it was to die for. :)
You're not judging all other Italian cooking by your mother's friend's cooking, are you? Italian cuizine varies greatly from region to region, and from person to person.
Assuming you've been to Roberto's, what did you have there?
:) I know that Italian food varies from region to region thanks to two Italian cooking shows on 45/49. I'm simply saying what I've experienced from childhood onward.
No, I never ate at Roberto's but have dined at other Italian restaurants in town, and while they were good, they left a lot to be desired both in terms of taste and service.
Some of them tasted like the sauces that come out of a bottle. The closest I've found is made by John Ziden. Now his products are good.
But back to the hotel business. Perhaps once it's opened they could hire the Executive chef from the Youngstown Club to be their Executive Chef.
When bthe Stambaugh Building was first built it housed a major department store on the first four or five floors. Ewer's Department Store.
I was thrilled to read that the hotel is coming to downtown. A long time ago I posted message(s)
here about "critical mass" in the downtown area, and how each store and business helps the others
by adding to the number - and variety - of things to see and do downtown.
The fact that this investor is willing to take the plunge is yet another validation that downtown is finally
reaching that critical mass. If the investor is planning on having multiple tenants in the building, ie:
NOT just the hotel, then that's even better. They won't have to rely solely on revenues generated by
the hotel.
If the hotel does well, it's very likely they will open a classy restaurant to go with it, ie: a four or five
star restaurant. I think this would depend on whether the hotel can get enougn "upscale" guests, etc.
Some apartments in the building would be great also - to bring more residents downtown.
My pipe dream would be to open a computer and electronics shop downtown - both sales AND service.
Something that's cheaper than the big box stores and can custom build computers to the consumers
needs (consulting). Dell computer has been doing this for years.
Maybe offer training classes on using Microsoft Office, Linux, etc as well.
Someone with a little electronics know how could build custom audio equipment and sell it in the
store, also....
I don't see the hotel going through. That property company does a lot of talking but they just kind of throw a lot out there and hope some things stick. I wonder how much progress has been made on the downtown grocery store they were talking about one year ago. ;D
ytown biker, i am still waiting for 'the city of god' to be built on the former property of Idora pk that is own by mt calvary penecostal ch on ytown ss. they still haven't pd off their tax bill of $150,ooo.
Mr. Marchionda has an excellent track record locally and has a habit of finishing projects
once he starts them. He is also good at raising the capital to do his projects.
Here is some good historical info on the Stambaugh building, along with photos of
the interior:
http://www.abandonedonline.net/locations/commercial/stambaugh-building
Allan, Marchionda purchased the old R&S market on the north side in the Wick Park neighborhood a few years ago, in order to renovate and re-open it, as a service to the WPN and the students in the dorms.
It still sits empty.
I remember reading about that. Perhaps he did the market research and concluded that there are
not [ ** YET. ** ] enough patrons to support the store project(?). Also read somewhere quite
a while ago that the building needs considerably more work than originally thought.
I read that he received recently purchased the former Heedy mansion on Broadway to renovate
the place and convert it into 5 apartments (thereby bringing more people into the neighborhood).
I'm only guessing here, but I think his strategy is to work on increasing the demand first,
worry about the new grocery store second. If there was that much demand for a full
fledged grocery store in the Wick Park area already, one would venture to guess that
someone else would already have done it by now(?)
Allan, a different Dominic owns the Heedy Mansion. (a.k.a. Covington House) Dom Gatta owns the Heedy Mansion, in addition to (last I heard, anyway) the former Cedars building. There has been a little work done to the Heedy Mansion, but I wouldn't say work has been progressing quickly, at all.
As for the R&S, remember that the agreement between Mr. Marchionda and Mr. Adi, to open "University Circle" at the old R&S location fell through. Also, Mr. Marchionda said to expect an announcement regarding the R&S this fall. So, hopefully something will happen soon.
Personally, I have faith that the hotel will happen. Downtown is where the action--and money--is right now. When downtown is more built out, I expect the action to move/spread to the Wick Park Neighborhood, assuming YSU can stabilize, or increase, their enrollment numbers.
Quote from: westsider on September 25, 2014, 07:48:50 AM
Allan, a different Dominic owns the Heedy Mansion. (a.k.a. Covington House) Dom Gatta owns the Heedy Mansion, in addition to (last I heard, anyway) the former Cedars building. There has been a little work done to the Heedy Mansion, but I wouldn't say work has been progressing quickly, at all.
As for the R&S, remember that the agreement between Mr. Marchionda and Mr. Adi, to open "University Circle" at the old R&S location fell through. Also, Mr. Marchionda said to expect an announcement regarding the R&S this fall. So, hopefully something will happen soon.
Personally, I have faith that the hotel will happen. Downtown is where the action--and money--is right now. When downtown is more built out, I expect the action to move/spread to the Wick Park Neighborhood, assuming YSU can stabilize, or increase, their enrollment numbers.
AKA Covinton House, the Heedy Mansion was purchased over 2 yrs ago, and yes, work has been painstakingly slow. Mr Gatta also purchased a historic house on N Heights Ave (right across the street from where I used to live until 3 months ago), just a block north of the Heedy Mansion almost 2 yrs ago. He's not done a thing to it except clean out the basement. It's been falling apart, literally. He now has it up for sale, for double what he paid for it. People stop to look at it, laugh, and drive away. >:(
As for the R&S, that big announcement from Marchionda was a mural painted on the side of the building by a YSU group called YSUscape.
It's an "ok" mural, but not exactly what the neighborhood association was hoping for.
Quote from: westsider on September 25, 2014, 07:48:50 AM
Personally, I have faith that the hotel will happen. Downtown is where the action--and money--is right now. When downtown is more built out, I expect the action to move/spread to the Wick Park Neighborhood, assuming YSU can stabilize, or increase, their enrollment numbers.
I have faith that the hotel will happen also. I also believe that there is enough of a demand for it to succeed (with other business/residential
tenants to supplement the income for the property). The Stambaugh building is a HUGE building with tons of space - LOTS of possibilities.....
although it needs a lot of work, it is structurally sound and built like a Sherman tank.
Now, if someone would just buy the Parkway Tower apartments and remodel the place, that would bring another 100 or so residents
to the Wick Park neighborhood, if fully occupied.
The owners of the Parkway Towers refuse to sell.
Yeah, I know. Hopefully someone will figure out a way to get them over some kind of
legal barrell to get possession of the property....or work out a partnership to fix the
place.
I don't understand why they won't invest the money to fix the place. With the number
of units and the space (which CAN be reconfigured to get more units) it could be viable
as an apartment building again. Lot of extra lots around it to make a really fabulous
grounds,met.
Quote from: AllanY2525 on September 26, 2014, 01:29:08 AM
I don't understand why they won't invest the money to fix the place.
Easy money. $50-60k/year with almost no work required.