New Castle will open 2 parks this summer

Workers are waiting on special materials for Zambelli Plaza.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Soon, city dwellers will have the amenities of a downtown park, with another one on the way.
Mayor Wayne Alexander said Riverwalk Park, at the corner of East Washington and East streets, should be open to foot traffic by early July. Most of the work is completed in the small park that abuts the Warner Bros. Theater building, but workers are still waiting for concrete to cure, he said.
Alexander said he's been in talks with the Downtown Business Association and others to sponsor concerts in the park amphitheater. He said they hope to have free concerts once a month through the warm-weather months.
The park also will be available for rentals, he said. Alexander said a temporary fence will be erected around the park when it is rented.
Riverwalk and a second park now under construction, Zambelli Plaza at the corner of East Washington and Mill streets, are part of the final phase of the city's downtown revitalization.
Previous work
Two years ago, the city resurfaced streets and replaced downtown streetlights and sidewalks with a $5 million state grant. Work on the parks is coming from that money as well.
This work was done in conjunction with the renovation of the downtown building which housed the first theater operated by the Warner brothers, Youngstown natives who went on to become Hollywood moguls.
Earlier this year, the Mill Street Grille, a 230-seat restaurant, opened to the public. Comedy and jazz clubs also are expected to open in the building later this year.
The mayor said work on Zambelli Park will take longer than expected because workers are waiting on special material.
The park will be dedicated in the memory of George Zambelli Sr., president of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale, who died two years ago. The fireworks corporate headquarters is here.
Reflecting pond
In his honor, there will be a reflecting pond that will hold poles which will have colored lights meant to simulate a fireworks display. There also will be a fountain and gazebo.
Alexander said the gazebo roof is coming from England, and other materials are hard to find and must be imported from elsewhere. Workers expect to finish the project later this summer, he said.
The parks were designed by architect Larry Hecky of Cleveland, and work is being done by SET Inc. of Lowellville.
cioffi@vindy.com