2010 PLAN Sharing ideas on the city's future

Dominant topics were loft-style housing and more recreation space downtown.
& lt;a href=mailto:rgsmith@vindy.com & gt;By ROGER SMITH & lt;/a & gt;
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Tim Ruffalo is a city native living in Columbus but is seriously considering returning here in retirement.
He'd like to see linkages downtown among new entertainment spots, the Mahoning River and Youngstown State University. Downtown has those possibilities, just as Columbus has capitalized on, he said.
"Youngstown is a mini-Columbus," Ruffalo said. "I think a lot of the same things could be done here."
Ruffalo was the first speaker Tuesday at the Youngstown 2010 meeting focusing on downtown. But he easily could have been summarizing what was to come.
Developing the river and the space nearby was a prime focus in the first of 11 neighborhood meetings scheduled through the summer across the city.
More than 100 people gathered at the Youngstown Club to voice what they think should be the goals, targets and priorities for downtown in the next few years.
Topics
Among the dominant topics were more housing in the downtown and recreation space in conjunction with the river.
Cynthia Rogers was among several people who asked planners about recreational space along the river. Rogers, whose husband's job brought their family to Boardman from southern California six months ago, was disappointed not to find that downtown.
Catherine Powers, a North Side resident, also said parklike settings along the river are a key.
She and others also suggested that downtown needs loft-style living. A downtown needs a mix of residents and visitors to thrive, several people said.
David Vosburgh, president of the Arts Council of Youngstown and Mahoning County, said a mix of uses is needed between YSU and the central business district. The spot needs places where students and city residents can mix, he said.
"Stitch those two communities together," Vosburgh said.
Other ideas
David Simon, a backer of a downtown entertainment district, said space needs to be made for more restaurants. Downtown's restaurants can serve about 600 people at a time, he said. But several thousand people will be coming through downtown when the 5,500-seat arena opens late next year, he said.
The Rev. Richard Murphy said historic buildings such as the Paramount Theater and the Wick-Pollock Inn need to be a priority now, before it's too late.
Suggestions from the oral and written comments gathered ultimately will become part of the Youngstown 2010 comprehensive plan for the city. The full plan is to be unveiled at year's end.
Anthony Kobak, the city's chief planner, said the meeting largely featured what 2010 organizers were seeking. Turnout was about right and there was a good balance of talk about concepts, priorities and specifics, he said.
"I think we got it right," he said.
The next meeting is 7 to 9 p.m. April 20 at The Rayen School. The meeting is a forum for residents who live in the Brier Hill, North Heights and Wick Park neighborhoods.
& lt;a href=mailto:rgsmith@vindy.com & gt;rgsmith@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;