Council wants details on project from YSU

City officials will meet with YSU to discuss the plan.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Questions by city council members about a proposal to link Youngstown State University to downtown postponed a series of votes by the legislative body on the initiative.
Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti, D-4th, asked for the delay. Other council members said they had questions.
City officials will schedule a meeting with representatives of YSU, heavily involved in the plan, to discuss it in detail.
Council agreed to give first readings Wednesday to five pieces of legislation pertaining to the project, known as the Lincoln-Rayen-Wood development district.
Council can approve legislation either through an emergency vote or after three readings at three separate meetings. A majority of its legislation is approved via emergency.
The project takes in 38 acres of land bounded roughly by Commerce Street as well as Lincoln, Fifth and Wick avenues.
The city wants to turn the area into a community redevelopment project.
Extending Hazel Street
Part of the plan is to demolish seven buildings to have Hazel Street, which runs north from downtown to Wood Street, extended farther north to Lincoln Avenue to connect with campus walkways.
YSU wants to build a new College of Business Administration on Phelps Street.
The city planning commission voted Tuesday to recommend council approve the community redevelopment area designation.
That designation would give the city the power of eminent domain to forcibly take property needed for the project if owners won't sell. City officials say eminent domain is the last option.
The proposals, to be considered by council May 3, would fund the Hazel Street extension, permit the city to negotiate agreements with landowners in the area, enter into professional service agreements, sign a development agreement with YSU and hold a May 16 public hearing on the project.
skolnick@vindy.com