SMOKY HOLLOW Wick plan takes step forward

Association head is confident the project will succeed; says plan will revitalize the area.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The head of the Home Builders/Remodelers Association of Mahoning Valley says a proposed $250 million redevelopment plan of the Wick District-Smoky Hollow area will revitalize the city.
The Wick Neighbors Inc.'s board of trustees unanimously approved the plan Wednesday. The nonprofit development organization wants to construct the first homes and renovate existing homes by next year.
Terry T. Abrams, the HBRA's executive director, said many of the 800 or so companies that are members of the association want to get involved with the project.
"It seems like this project will be so hard to complete when you look at it now," he said. "But in five years, we'll wonder why we didn't do it sooner. Once people see this is really going to happen, they will jump on board and be a part of it."
Abrams is a member of the Wick Neighbors board of trustees.
Infrastructure work
The proposal includes spending $12.5 million for infrastructure work to 66 acres bounded by Wick, Andrews, Rayen and Madison avenues. Wick Neighbors would seek that money from the state and federal government.
The project's complete cost is $250 million, but Wick Neighbors officials expect developers to pay most of that to build in the area.
The plan calls for up to 500 mixed homes, including condominiums, townhouses, loft apartments and single-family homes, as well as 44,000 square feet of retail development and 250,000 square feet of commercial high-technology facilities.
"This is a diamond in the rough," Abrams said. "Youngstown was allowed to erode and corrode over the years. This will be an important part of stopping that."
Wick Neighbors plans to seek approval from the city for zoning changes to the 66 acres, said Margaret L. Murphy, its executive director. That process will take several months, she said.
skolnick@vindy.com