Release - Development District

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Development District

    The ad hoc committee of property owners and lessees that stand to be displaced by the creation of a development district between Wood Street and Lincoln Avenue will meet with representatives of the City of Youngstown and Youngstown State University this afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Council Chambers.  The affected parties wish to thank Councilman Gillam for setting up this meeting and dialogue.  The property owners are willing to listen objectively to the requirements and ambitions of YSU and the City, and the property owners and lessees will present their objections , fears, legal realities, alternative options, and will ask for certain guarantees this afternoon to continue the dialogue.  The ad hoc committee proposes an alternative project package, one that will include and satisfy all affected parties and will be a win-win undertaking for the University, the City of Youngstown, and the small business community, an Enterprise Zone.

     We are not opposed to the University's plan to build a new Williamson School of Business.  The property selected to house the proposed building is for sale by the property owner, Mrs. Sophie Cherol.  Youngstown State University first opened negotiation for purchase of the parcel in 2003.  Price of the parcel and buildings is at mean market appraisal price.  The University was unwilling to meet mean price and broke off negotiation prior to the generation of the development district project.

     We are not opposed to connecting YSU to downtown, as long as that linking includes small businesses.

     We are not opposed to a parking lot for the Diocese of Youngstown. 
   
     We are opposed to zoning change in the target and peripheral areas, because zoning change will marginalize small business participation in the proposed project.

     We are opposed to exercise of eminent domain authority because that authority is pre-targeting two specific property owners, one for price disagreement and one because it was misidentified as vacant and blighted by YSU's "Project Plan."  Because of this mistake Mr. Joseph Grenga's machine and welding shop will be demolished and Mr. Grenga's livelihood threatened.  Because of this amateur mistake by the YSU Center for Urban Studies, the University should voluntarily withdraw this plan while a satisfactory compromise is negotiated.

   We are opposed to a street for cost and because it is not an essential component of the proposed building construction.

     We are opposed to the transfer of $2.5 million dollars of community development block grants to the D.B. Hart Corporation of Cleveland, Ohio, by the City of Youngstown to manage the proposed acquisition, demolition, and street project because there is community objection to that transfer and the awarding of such contract was not the result of competitive bidding.

     What we propose instead of a "Development District" is an "Enterprise Zone" that will court additional small business to the area, an enlarged area, and would thereby affect a merger and linking of college, city, churches, institutions, and small businesses.  An Enterprise Zone can include a new college building and a parking lot for the Diocese; it might include a public walkway linking Lincoln Avenue to Commerce Street downtown; and it would certainly be a model Youngstown 2010 project by involving community, small businesses, residents, students, and the City, and could be a first step project in the larger vision of a revitalized Youngstown.

     Today we begin a dialogue with the University and City.  We ask for three guarantees to participate in that dialogue.  First, we ask for guarantee not to change zoning.  Second, we ask for guarantee that Mr. Grenga's business be allowed to remain, that any other business that wants to remain can remain, and that eminent domain be stricken from any future versions of the project.  And finally, we ask for guarantee that if a new street remains a project component, the street be routed to preserve all presently existing businesses and welcome new businesses.

     In closing, we remain opposed to four ordinances that will have "third reading" at City Council meeting, 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 7, in Council Chambers.

     ORD-06-105: extension of Hazel St.  YSU's proposed building does not require or need it.
     ORD-06-105:  acquisition of property.  This includes eminent domain authority.
     ORD-06-106:  service agreement & demolitions.  Includes demolition of operating warehouses and offices.
     ORD-06-107:  $2.5 million dollar advance to the D.B. Hart Corporation of Cleveland to manage the project, by the City of Youngstown.

     We ask that Council voluntarily withdraw those ordinances for redrafting and we ask the citizens of Greater Youngstown to show their support of tabling these measures until a fair and inclusive version of the project is agreed upon by attending the June 7 Council meeting at 5:00 p.m.

Front-Lincoln Property & Merchants' Association
c/o  26 North Phelps Street
P.O. Box 237
Youngstown, Ohio  44501
330-747-6932
FAX  330-747-0599