WARREN Owners want building to thrive

Brothers want to add a day care, health club and hair salon to Riverside Square.
THE VINDICATOR, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO
By DON SHILLING
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
WARREN -- The office complex housed in the former St. Joseph Hospital has new owners who intend to improve the building and attract more tenants.
"We want to see this building thrive in the community," said Tom Dobson, who bought Riverside Square with his brother, Jim.
They have created PKAM, a new company to oversee the Tod Avenue building.
The brothers have run Ultimate Building Maintenance of Warren since 1980.
The company provides cleaning services and other property management services for area industrial plants and offices.
Earlier this year, they approached Dan Cadle, a Newton Falls businessman who had owned the building, about a property management agreement, and Cadle mentioned the building was for sale.
Tom Dobson said he and his brother took the opportunity, even though it was a much larger building than they had ever thought about buying.
"I think there is a tremendous amount of potential here," he said.
Riverside Square has 15 tenants who occupy about 60,000 square feet. The building has an additional 200,000 square feet that can be leased.
Dobson said he and his brother intend to create a building with tenants who can meet a variety of needs.
What's new
A day-care center, Kidz By the Riverside, is to open in December. Dedicated Dining Services of Cleveland is remodeling the cafeteria and should reopen it next week, he said. Dobson also hopes to attract a health club, hair salon and specialty shops.
The Dobsons also are considering opening an assisted-living center for senior citizens and a commercial laundry, or inviting tenants who would offer those services.
OneCom Communications, a tenant, also has created an area where tenants and guests can use a video conference center and a wireless connection to access the Internet.
Dobson said he and his brother want to upgrade the building and so far have spent more than $100,000 on improvements to the heating and cooling system, new landscaping, parking lot maintenance and new carpet and wallpaper.
The Dobsons are looking to attract offices for professionals, government agencies, health care companies and outreach services.
Riverside Square already is home to a Veterans Administration outpatient clinic, a Belmont Pines unit and some county agencies and private businesses.
shilling@vindy.com