YOUNGSTOWN Local magazine editor opposes use of abandoned city buildings

YOUNGSTOWN -- Mark Peyko opposes a proposal to allow an Ohio State Penitentiary Special Response Team to use abandoned city buildings for training.
Peyko, editor of Metro Monthly, a locally published news and entertainment magazine, told city council Wednesday that allowing teams to train in its buildings would devalue the community and businesses here.
Prison officials asked the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp.'s property committee for permission to break down doors in buildings where that won't be a problem as part of training for escapes, riots and hostage situations. The exercises would also allow for paint pellets to be fired.
"We finally found somebody who can use our buildings," joked property committee member Greg Strollo at a meeting with prison officials in March.
Finds it demeaning: Peyko said this mindset demeans Youngstown and its downtown.
"I think it really undermines efforts to revitalize downtown Youngstown when you send a message to the entire community that the only purpose for your central business district is this particular use," Peyko said.
The CIC asked its lawyer to review the issue before allowing the response team to use its buildings.
Neither council nor Mayor George McKelvey responded to Peyko's comments.