Too many questions remain about downtown property

Too many questions remainabout downtown property
EDITOR:
The July 25 article, & quot;Mahoning County could own prime locale in Youngstown, & quot; intrigues me. Why would the Southside Community Development Corp. (SCDC) & quot;give up & quot; this property if this is prime real estate and in such good shape? With all the revitalization going on in the downtown area right now, wouldn't you hang on to your prime property? Maybe make it a hotel for the convention center? It makes no sense to give it away.
What about the costs to the people of Mahoning County down the line when this HUGE building needs renovations done to it? Is it loaded with asbestos? How much are we going to pay for the utilities of such a huge building? This is a hospital building we are talking about here, and I would like to know just how much the taxpayers really will be saving long term.
What is WRONG with the building is what I would like to know. Are there hidden, costly problems?
It may seem like the right location because it is FREE, but that is what intrigues me. Nothing is free. It sounds like the SCDC is doing the county a great service in giving us this building, but I wouldn't fast track into this situation without counting the cost. The fact that everyone is pushing to move fast on this makes me uneasy about the transaction. What's wrong with taking a bit of time and going over this whole thing to be sure the county doesn't get fleeced? Maybe we should be investing in a new, smaller building instead.
I would also like to know how much property taxes the SCDC was paying the county for this property, because that will be lost revenues for the county. What are we giving up to gain? I have yet to see why we need such a big building, and how are we going to manage the costs of running it. If the hospital couldn't afford it anymore, how is the county going to afford it?
I am in agreement that we need a new place, and I am in agreement that it should be centralized, and if this building is all there is and it is going to save money down the road, then let's do it. I just don't see how it will. It makes me wonder about voting for the sales-tax renewal, which I always vote for.
It also makes me wonder: Are we just pushing the disabled and less fortunate into a corner where they are not visible in the downtown revitalization district?
LISA BETH MOORE
Youngstown
Return to those glory days
EDITOR:
I was closely associated with the Youngstown Playhouse during its "Golden Age," a time when it was considered one of the top community theaters in the United States. When it had a national reputation for excellence. When it put the Youngstown area on the theatrical map.
It saddens me greatly that the directors of the Playhouse seem to be so shortsighted. That they do not realize a theater cannot run on proceeds from bake sales and raffles. It must be operated on substantial funding and with an eye to quality productions. And it must be headed by a person skilled in these areas, not by committee. But apparently, they do not want to relinquish authority.
I was privileged to work with Bentley Lenhoff, a man who knows both theater and business. He is a master at the business of theater. It was Bentley who raised the Playhouse to national prominence. Someone of his ability must be allowed to take the reins completely. He is the only man I know who can prevent the Playhouse from becoming an artifact.
I urge the board to reconsider. To be willing to give up the gratification of running the show, because soon their reluctance to allow Bentley to take over will be ruining the show.
Bentley Lenhoff will do nothing to harm the Youngstown Playhouse. He can only raise it once again to the heights this beautiful facility deserves.
ALICE WEISS
New York City
X Former acting executive director of the Playhouse.