YSU Students win for visions of downtown

The winning proposal envisions an outdoor shopping center near the new arena.
By IAN HILL
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Youngstown State University students Francesco Terra, Yelena Zaytseva and Travis Snyder each have hope for the downtown's future.
Unless the local job market improves, however, none of the three expects to stay in the area after graduating to see if their hopes can be realized.
"I believe there are no good jobs" in Youngstown, said Terra, an MBA student from Rome, Italy.
Terra recently won first place in a contest that called for students to create proposals designed to draw young people downtown. Zaytseva was the second-place winner, and Snyder won third place in the contest, which was sponsored by YSU Students In Free Enterprise and the university's Nathan and Frances Monus Entrepreneurship Center.
Winners were announced at a press conference Friday. Terra received $750, Zaytseva received $500, and Snyder received $250.
Winning proposal
Terra's proposal calls for construction of an outdoor shopping center on the east side of the Market Street bridge, near where the city's new $26.8 million downtown arena is slated to be built.
The proposal also calls for the creation of a "student district" near Rayen, Wood and Chestnut streets that would provide space for student art shows, convenience stores and recreational activities.
Before creating the proposal, Terra conducted informal focus groups with local residents to discuss the condition and future of downtown. He said most of the residents noted they would be happy if downtown made a comeback.
"I'm glad that most of the people I talked to, if not all, would take pride in a revitalized Youngstown," Terra said.
He added that he would like to stay in Youngstown after he graduates, but he doesn't see many available jobs here.
Snyder, a sophomore from Lordstown majoring in finance-marketing, said that if he were graduating this year, he most likely would have to leave the area to find a good job. He said he hopes that the local job market improves in the next few years and that he can stay after he graduates.
Multicultural focus
His downtown proposal calls for construction of a multicultural development center designed to increase cultural awareness and encourage construction of ethic shops and restaurants.
"It's something different. It's not something Youngstown kids could get in Niles, Boardman -- anywhere around here," Snyder said.
Zaytseva's proposal also focuses on multiculturalism. It calls for the construction of a "Cultural Village" with development based on Italian, Middle Eastern and African-American cultures.
"Youngstown is so multicultural; everybody is proud of their heritage," said Zaytseva, a senior from Youngstown majoring in fashion merchandising. "I think it would be a great thing to bring everybody together."
In her proposal, Zaytseva also calls for the development of a downtown movie theater, shopping and entertainment districts, a water and sports adventure park, and a Youngstown walk of fame. She noted that she doesn't plan on staying in the area after she graduates because there are no local jobs in fashion merchandising.
Dr. Therese Maskulka, a YSU associate marketing professor and faculty adviser for Students In Free Enterprise, said the students' proposals would be entered in a SIFE regional contest in Cleveland. The proposals also will be shared with planners from Youngstown 2010, the effort to create a plan for the city.
hill@vindy.com