WICK NEIGHBORS Group discusses strategies

A redevelopment group is preparing for action.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Wick Neighbors are taking the first steps to turn their Smoky Hollow redevelopment plan into reality.
Paul Volpe, the president of Cityarchitecture, in Cleveland, which designed the plan, told the group Wednesday it must come up with strategies to accomplish the goal.
The Wick Neighbors is a group of churches and cultural institutions along Wick Avenue that wants to create a residential and arts community to revitalize the city.
"The ability to do this exists," Volpe said. He said the plan is an example of "true urbanity. ... It's a re-creation of what was once a great neighborhood."
Smoky Hollow encompasses about 63 acres bordered by Rayen, Wick, and Andrews avenues and the Madison Avenue Expressway. Much of the land is vacant and owned by Youngstown State University, which is building student apartments there.
The Wick Neighbors have hired Youngstown native Margaret Murphy as its project manager. Murphy went to Youngstown State University, worked at the public library, and was married in St. Columba Cathedral. She said she roamed from Smoky Hollow to Brier Hill, and all the cultural institutions in such a close area allowed her to become what she is.
Murphy said the group must get anyone with a stake in Smoky Hollow to invest their time, talent and money in the redevelopment.
The Wick Neighbors, she said, must also build confidence in the plan, put in place the tools for success, and celebrate its short-term victories.
She noted the Wick Neighbors began planning a year ago, and now have a comprehensive plan.
"That is a major, major accomplishment," she said. A small group within the Wick Neighbors -- its project team -- is forming a nonprofit corporation to become a legal vehicle to accomplish some of project, such as handling funds.
Work will be divided among three task forces. One, which will include the project team, will develop the initial target projects. A second task force will unveil a three-year fund-raising drive, probably in September.
The third will be a marketing committee to promote the housing and condominiums as being both of quality construction and competitive in the area's housing market. The task force will also promote the area as a place to go for cultural and entertainment events. Hunter Morrison, the head of Youngstown State University's Center for Urban and Regional Studies, said the project is already under way. He cited the ongoing expansion of the MVR restaurant on Walnut Street in Smoky Hollow.
Morrison, a Cleveland native who was Cleveland's planner during its revival, said, "There's nothing as motivating, and nothing as rewarding, as rebuilding your hometown."
Morrison and Murphy will discuss the Smoky Hollow project at 6 p.m. Wednesday at St. John's. Dinner -- catered by the MVR -- is $5 for adults. Make reservations by Monday by calling (330) 743-3175.