Convocation Center

[AllanY2525]

Although I did not attend either of the shows for the Trans Siberian Orchestra, I
was VERY impressed that BOTH shows sold out!


WAY TO GO YOUNGSTOWN

[Nikolai]

I finally went to an event at the YCC - TSO Sunday evening. The place was rockin. The accoustics were great and my fears abaout the small seats didn't materialized. Allthough some of what I said earlier is of concern to me, the experience was great. I can only hope that the staff at YCC continues to bring good acts to the area. I was pleasantly surprised at the ease of getting to and leaving the venue.

[Nate]

Sir, why are you so critical. I realize that it is a valid point to make, but you could say that about any of the large public projects in Youngstown or the suburbs. At Stambaugh stadium especially, the incline of the seating is amazingly steep, but no claims have been filed in the almost 20 years that it has been open!

I went to the Steelhounds game Friday and was amazed. The facility, the team, everything was great! I absolutly urge people to come if not for a game, for a concert, or maybe convention that may be there in the near future.

[Nikolai]

It's funny how Jay was critical of my assessment. Drove by the Convo center on Saturday and low and behold what I saw.. Yellow paint on the outside steps. Someone from 3 Doors down or Tony Bennett show must have miised one of those steps and filed a claim. Wait for the next rain fall for the slip and fall claims.

[ytowner]

Macaroni's Italian Grille or a Gillians type Business would do well.

May not get great business for dinners without any convo events but every weekday at lunch and during downtown events would do well.

[MJ]

Starbucks is a franchised system. It won't sprout unless someone with a lot of cash makes it happen. Great Idea. How about a Spaghetti Warehouse chain?

[AllanY2525]

My guess is that a Starbuck's Coffee Shop will probably sprout right out of the ground
very near to the Convocation center in the not to distant future - they (ie: Starbucks) seem
to have a knack for opening new locations near to new public venues.



Allan

[E-Commerce]

Now that the center is here, can we get some restaurants to open up?? There are a couple downtown, but it seems to be a hassle with service. Can someone convince Covelli to open up a Panera Bread or better still one of the O'Charley restaurants. I prefer a nice family run place, but the chains can get people in and out. Anything on the grapevine??

[penguinnick]

I think the inside of the convo looks great and there is a lot of land in the back for future development.  It's time we clean up the banks of the river throughout downtown.  Hopefully soon the private sector will get involved, which up to this point has been a dissapointment. 

The one criticism I have of the building is the gray, industrial warehouse look of the outside.  The bricks and windows are great but I wish the rest of the building could have looked more aesthetically pleasing.

What are your thoughts?

[Nikolai]

I am just stating facts. First off, I don't plan on going to the Convo Center. I prefer spending quality time elsewhere. Secondly, the risk assessment is sound. Have you ever gone to Giant Eagle?? They have nice tile floors and are not slippery!!!!

Yeah it is a nice looking place, if you can past all the battleship gray paint!!!

[ytowner]

I think it was great in all forms. The main concourse could use some colors altogether; the floor in the future needs some form of tiling if possible and some more ad's on the walls.

I will scan the map the Vindy had today in the paper for where you can park downtown to go see an event for free or if you would want to pay.

I can't wait to see some shows and hockey games! I'd love to see the Horizon League Women's B-Ball Championships at the Convo rather than Beeghly because like they are in Milwaukee and Green Bay; they will stick there and get money to the economy... And in 2006 the Women's Horizon League Championships are there. Also maybe some big basketball games for high schools. They play at the Beeghly and they could at the Arena.

I also know the company which will name it; I will not disclose it though until more is disclosed.

[yfdgricker]

I think the Convocation Center was very nice. They still have some work to do on it. Some of the drop ceiling was not in place and one of the stair wells still needed to be painted (we found that one by accident). They still had to put up the lighted advertising signs inside and outside the arena area and none of the concession areas had even been started on yet. Crews still had to install about half the refridgerators in the suites. The Steelhounds store had yet to be installed. It's just a lot of little stuff that still needs done. They should have that finished up before the first home game. It wil be interesting to see how much they've done in a week when my wife and I go for the Three Doors Down concert Saturday.

The center did have some very nice views of the city from all the windows. There is a lot of room along the side and rear of the building for future expansion either to the center, adding in say an ampitheater or park along the river or adding more parking for the center. The parking seemed adequte for the center's open house guests but I think there might be a problem when people come for a major concert there. Your talking about a lot of people coming at 1 set time and not in and out throughout the day.

The only MAJOR problem that needed addressed has to do with the traffic light outside the convocation center. That intersection is messed up and good luck making a left turn onto Front Street. They have a duel turning lane coming from Walnut from the post office and that really messes things up.

[MJ]

I had the opportunity to visit the center. Nice and well done IMHO! It's a great "start" in renovation of the downtown. Lets hope it spurs business development and the community supports it. It's difficult to get people from the suburbs to go into the city.  On the flip side, while the facility is nice, I am not seeing 45million of development in that building as the Vindicator pointed out. But I suppose after the politicians got there cut...you know same ole Youngstown.

[ytowner]

You are just a critic of this place. You didn't mention one nice thing of it.
Every person I Talked to loved it; just loved the place; everyone said the suites were perfect and the seats were comfortable.

And if you don't like it; then go waste over 100 bucks and possibly your life to travel to Pittsburgh or Cleveland and drive back in the snow at night... Not my problem.

The arena was great and when you say it was slippery; no crap; IT ONLY RAINED THE WHOLE DAY!

Pathetic review of the arena; folks if you read that; please don't take to heart; go look at my photo's.

[Nikolai]

Went down on Saturday to check out the place. Overall, not overly impressed. These are the problems I noticed:

1. Getting down to the entrances from street level. There are steps that need to be negotiated. They did a poor job of marking these. They should be done in bright colors (yellow) not in brownish red. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

2. Who picked out the tile at the entrances?? This was a big mistake. That type of tile is extremely slippery when wet.  Again, another lawsuit waiting to happen.

3. Small seats. Most venues are going toward larger and roomier seats. The convo center seats can accommodate a 150 pound person (maximum) adequately. If this place sells out, there are going to be alot of uncomfortable people. Why didn't they put in larger seats.

4. I don't think the sound system was being used (at least I hope it wasn't) The acoustics were terrible. I guess we will find out in the coming weeks.

5. The luxury suites ( or should I say lack of luxury) are too close to the crowd. I thought the people who can afford these amenities would want to distance themselves from the ordinary Joe.


If you really think about it, this place should be as large as the Gund (Q) in Cleveland from the Suite boxes to the floor. However, the convo center seems smaller. The floor area is the same, but the steep incline of the seats really help to cut off the roominess. I guess that is why they used the grade school seats.