YOUNGSTOWN Grant would replace Westlake Terrace with golf facility

By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A golf training facility is planned to replace Westlake Terrace.
That would happen if Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority can win a $20 million housing redevelopment grant.
To make that possible, the city park board agreed today to give YMHA Evans Field on the North Side.
YMHA would build subsidized and market-rate housing for low- and moderate-income families on the field if it wins the federal grant, called HOPE VI. Other housing would be built south of the park.
In exchange, YMHA would demolish the remaining Westlake apartments along Martin Luther King Boulevard.
YMHA then would collaborate with First Tee, a program to get youths age 7 to 17 involved with golf. Five major golf associations sponsor the program.
The site would include building three to five golf holes plus a recreation center where life skills would be taught.
Last year, the park board agreed to swap part of Evans Field with YMHA for housing. In exchange, YMHA pledged to build a recreation center in the Westlake area. YMHA didn't win the funding, however.
What's changed
The housing authority has applied for HOPE VI grants several times without success.
Officials are more confident this year, however, for several reasons, said Mark Straub, YMHA director of development.
First, half of the $500 million pool of HOPE VI money last year was set aside for projects not available to Youngstown, so YMHA was competing with others for much less money. This year all the money is available, he said.
Also, last year, applications could be for up to $35 million. This year the cap is $20 million, meaning more projects can be funded, he said.
First Tee makes YMHA's application even stronger because of its mission and reputation, Straub said.
YMHA should know in April if it wins the HOPE VI grant.
YMHA wants to establish a First Tee facility in the Westlake area even if the grant isn't awarded this year, he said.
First Tee expects between 1,200 and 1,500 youths to come through the program in the first two years.
First Tee was established in 1997. Youths who wouldn't otherwise have the chance to play golf can learn the game and what it teaches, such as respect, honesty and courtesy.
rgsmith@vindy.com