HOW HE SEES IT A view of Youngstown from Memphis

I happened to read a Vindicator story by David Skolnick this summer about declining Mahoning Valley population. It struck a personal chord. Since 2001 I have called Memphis, Tenn., home, and, as described in the article, I am one who left for greener pastures. Even so, Youngstown remains special and dear to me.
From my first walk on historic Beale Street the similarities between Memphis and Youngstown have amazed me. Both communities were built on strong familial foundations; both towns boast great cultural heritage, and both towns face rising crime and outward migration to the suburbs.
Both towns take pride in trademark cuisine. In Youngstown it's pyrohi, kielbasa and calamari. In Memphis it's catfish and "bbq so good it'll make ya slap your Momma."
Shared pain
In the 70s Youngstown was devastated by the loss of the steel mills. During the same period, Memphis suffered due to race riots that followed Martin Luther King's murder.
The most striking similarity between the two towns however is the haunting view looking southward on Memphis's Main Street. The first time I took in this view I thought surely Rod Serling had transported me to back Youngstown circa 1960.
It is at this point however that the similarities end and what emerges is a stunning example of how different philosophies lead to two distinctly different urban outcomes.
Memphis angel
During Memphis's toughest times, local retail developer Jack Belz purchased the dilapidated Peabody Hotel and made a commitment to restore it in grandiose style. Today it serves as the focal point for downtown's revitalization.
Belz and city leaders were convinced that the economy of Memphis would feed off of a healthy downtown. Today our downtown is anchored by the 300,000 sq. ft. Peabody Place retail and entertainment complex complete with a 22 unit movie complex. On most nights the place is hopping.
Memphis leadership has focused on our strengths of the biotech industry, St. Jude's hospital, live music and tourism, to build a safe, exciting and vital downtown.
New construction has professionals and families entering lotteries to purchase one of the prized downtown lots. Local government has helped to attract business powerhouses like Fed-X, the NBA Grizzlies and Autozone. New downtown jobs are being created daily and the development of the Mississippi riverfront is breathtaking.
Our downtown has rib shops, candy stores, hot dog stands, a YMCA, a great gym, the Redbirds baseball team and enough live music to make a maestro overdose.
What might be
I could go on for hours about how much I love Memphis, but the real reason I wrote this piece is because I cannot immerse myself in the splendor of downtown Memphis without being reminded of how wonderful downtown Youngstown was in its heyday.
I hope your downtown finds the passionate leadership that ours has found.
X Tommy Volinchak is a Youngstown native now living in downtown Memphis. He is a published book author, magazine columnist and music producer. His Website is www.tunemanproductions.com.