Optimism abounds for revitalization

Many places are family-friendly to keep people coming to downtown.
By KATIE LIBECCO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- As Disney on Ice begins a 10-show run of "3 Jungle Adventures" at the Chevrolet Centre, the revitalization of downtown is beginning to show benefits for families in the area.
Rebecca Banks brought her 11-year-old son, Bruce, to see "Disney on Ice -- 3 Jungle Adventures" on Wednesday. She said it was the seventh event they've been to at the arena.
"I love it here," Banks said. "I'm excited because I've seen some other Disney on Ice performances on TV. I know it'll be quality."
Bruce, a sixth-grader at Kirkmere Elementary, said he had been to the Chevrolet Centre to see Lil John's Crunksgiving show, the basketball classic and several SteelHounds games. He said he hoped to see monster trucks at the arena.
Joyce Jones, with daughter Nikita Jones, nephew Tanger Walker and nephew Tyjuan Julius, came to the Chevrolet Centre.
Nikita, a junior at Chaney High School, said she auditioned Tuesday to perform the national anthem for SteelHounds games and thought the arena was "beautiful." She said she hoped the Universal Circus, an all-black circus, would one day appear at the arena.
"I really think the Chevrolet Centre is a good thing, especially for the youth. There's not a lot for young kids to do around here," Joyce Jones said. "I hope they bring more family-oriented shows to the arena. That would really help Youngstown revenue."
Children's Museum
Liz Nohra, director of the Children's Museum of the Valley, 139 E. Boardman St., said she expects this weekend to indicate the success of family events downtown.
"What we want to do is find ways to keep families here once they get downtown. We keep hearing parents say 'I can't believe this is downtown. I can't believe I was ever nervous to come down here,'" Nohra said. "I've never heard a family have a negative experience. It's all been very positive."
Nohra also mentioned plans to coordinate an evening program with downtown businesses, where parents would be able to drop children off at the museum while seeing a performance. She said details "will be finalized soon."
YAEDA
Dennis Roller, president of Youngstown Arts and Entertainment District Association, said he wanted to see more family-friendly events and businesses come downtown.
"We don't have a lot for families downtown, but we're working on it," Roller said.
He said he's been working for three years to bring more businesses to downtown and was confident they would come.
"Without a doubt. We have to think about that and we want to help those people come downtown," Roller said, when asked if he thought more family-friendly entertainment was in Youngstown's future.
Butler Art
"We do an awful lot for families here," said Sue Earnhart, public relations spokeswoman for the Butler Institute of American Art, 524 Wick Ave.
Earnhart said new interactive and children's exhibits made many visitors feel "comfortable."
She said the museum provides tours for about 30,000 children every year and many of those children bring their parents back, giving them the youngsters' version of the tour.
"There's something for everyone here," Earnhart said.
She said that the Butler sees "ever-increasing" attendance.
"We have people who come to the museum from all over the world. Our challenge is always local," Earnhart said. "People are always amazed when they realize we have this valuable treasure right here in town."