YOUNGSTOWN 2010 N. Siders put focus on homes, streets
Residents want to maintain and improve neighborhood aesthetics.
& lt;a href=mailto:rgsmith@vindy.com & gt;By ROGER SMITH & lt;/a & gt;
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- North Side residents made clear to Youngstown 2010 planners they want to keep their nice homes and neighborhoods looking that way.
They want to see improvements, too.
Aesthetics was the main focus of just over 100 North Side residents who gathered Tuesday in The Rayen School's cafeteria.
Enforcing property codes, eliminating blight, preserving historic housing stock and improving gateways and green space were the frequent topics.
Joyce Davidson of Cordova Avenue drew applause when she suggested emphasis on upholding standards. That means everything from the city enforcing property codes to residents hanging curtains instead of bed sheets over their windows, she said.
Not everyone can afford to keep their properties in top shape, said the Rev. Sylvia Jennings, associate minister at Greater Ebenezer Baptist Church. Neighbors need to lend a hand in those cases, she said.
Historic housing
The city needs to preserve the North Side's historic housing, said Bill Koch of Alameda Avenue. He'd also like to see improvements to green spaces, such as more trees.
But several residents want to see properties beyond repair leveled, no matter how historic.
"Common sense has to take over at some point," said Howard Tattrie of North Heights Avenue.
City statistics show there are about 1,200 vacant housing units on the North Side. There are 126 addresses on the city demolition list in the same area.
Curbs and sidewalks need major work, too, Tattrie said.
Eliminating blight from gateways such as Wick, Fifth and Belmont avenues needs to be a top priority, said Maureen O'Neil Farris of Redondo Road. She also was chairwoman of the city's Housing Code Enforcement Task Force.
City-owned Stambaugh Golf Course needs improvements, said Kathy Kirtos of Fifth Avenue. She suggested a linkage between the course and the youth golf facility planned not far away on U.S. Route 422 in the Hope VI project area.
711 Connector
Jason Roller of Granada Avenue suggested the city seize the opportunity from the new 711 Connector highway, which will run through the North Side. The highway exit should be a focus of future retail development, he said. Roller pointed to how U.S. Route 224 developed between Interstate 680 and state Route 11.
The meeting was the second in a series of 11 across the city scheduled through the summer. The meeting was the first in a residential neighborhood. The inaugural meeting two weeks ago concerned downtown.
Planners hope at least 50 residents attend each neighborhood meeting. Organizers expected the larger turnout Tuesday since the North Side residents are among the most active in the city.
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.
The next 2010 neighborhood meeting will be from 7 to 9 p.m. May 4 at the Ukrainian Orthodox Center, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave., on the West Side. The meeting is particularly for residents who live in the Salt Springs and Steelton neighborhoods, between Interstate 680 and the Mahoning River.
& lt;a href=mailto:rgsmith@vindy.com & gt;rgsmith@vindy.com & lt;/a & gt;