YOUNGSTOWN'S NORTH SIDE Citizens' coalition to have block party

YOUNGSTOWN -- The North Side Citizens' Coalition will have a block party Friday to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The party will be from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Park Avenue between Fifth Avenue and Elm Street. Traffic will be blocked in that area.
Up to 400 people, mostly from the North Side, are expected, said Talut Rasul, executive director. The party is open to the public.
The event is a fund-raiser for the group. Proceeds from selling food, beer, wine, an auction and a raffle will go to the coalition. Rasul hopes the event raises $4,000 to $5,000. A band, Geo and Tha Storm, will perform.
The coalition was founded in 1978 to oppose a proposed high rise building on Fifth Avenue, and the effort was successful.
The group became involved in projects such as improvements to Rayen stadium and dredging storm drains in Crandall Park. Later, the group started working to improve homes in the Wick Park neighborhood.
The coalition's latest plans for renovating and building houses on the North Side will be on display.