Building to be razed; dance club to open

An owner said downtown is the right setting for the upscale dance club.
By ROGER G. SMITH
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A downtown warehouse will come down to make way for a parking lot. Meanwhile, an upscale dance club is ready to open this weekend nearby in the central business district.
The city's design review committee approved items regarding both projects Wednesday, plus a renovation to the Mill Creek Deli and plaza on the West Side.
The board granted a demolition permit so Coyne Investment of Cleveland can level the former Valley Drug warehouse at 318 W. Boardman St. The lot is bounded by an alley, called Market Court, West Front Street and Vindicator Square.
Coyne bought the 100-year-old warehouse and plans to raze it for about 100 surface parking spots, said James Mahoney of Western Reserve Land Consultants, which made the presentation for Coyne. Ampco Parking will operate the lot.
Only building left
The only building left on the parcel will be the former Jolly Bar. The building owner plans a renovation, so the spot isn't figured into Coyne's plans, Mahoney said.
A few years ago, Coyne bought and improved a lot across the street with about 50 parking spaces that Ampco operates.
Mahoney said he expects the new lot to be available as soon as this summer.
The design board said the company first will need to outline landscaping plans before opening the lot. Mahoney said the new lot will look much like the spot across the street, including landscaping and a wrought-iron fence.
Upscale club
Meanwhile, the design board approved a sign for an upscale dance club, called Core. The club will open Saturday on the ground floor of the city-owned Wick Building on Federal Street.
One of the co-owners, Bernard Marinelli, described the venture as patterned after clubs in big cities such as New York or Los Angeles.
There won't be televisions, pool tables, dart boards or neon beer signs, he said. Instead, Core will have a dress code and cover charges, and the decor is post-contemporary, he said. The club will focus on a crowd that likes serious dance music, he said.
"It's a different kind of look and flavor. It's definitely different," Marinelli said.
Downtown -- not a plaza in the suburbs -- is the right setting for such a club, he said.
Marinelli declined to say more about the club, which was kept under wraps since renovations started in December. He'd rather people come see the club for themselves.
"We really, really, like the mystique," he said.
The nightspot will open from 4 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 7 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Weekdays there will be jazz music early in the evening, turning to club dance music as the night moves on, Marinelli said.
The design board also approved a renovation for the Mill Creek Deli on South Schenley Avenue and the plaza it occupies.
Deli and plaza owner Dan Martin said the property will receive a facade renovation, a pitched roof, improved support beams and new lights.
rgsmith@vindy.com