Williams praises downtown amenities

Downtown restaurants have a flavor all their own, the mayor said.
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mayor Jay Williams told Youngstown Arts and Entertainment District Association members he is committed to economic development downtown, which he said can thrive as a place to live, work and play.
The mayor spoke Wednesday at YAEDA's monthly meeting downtown at the Ohio One Building.
Williams said his priorities of jobs, safety and quality of life are essential for the city to thrive, and for downtown in particular.
"We've been focusing development on the outlying areas and the green spaces for years, which is important," Williams said. "We can't ignore the downtown."
Williams said the best advertisement for downtown's success is the many personal stories he's heard from visitors and business owners.
"It's nice change to come downtown for dinner," he said. "My wife and I get tired of running all over and fighting traffic on [U.S. Route] 224. There are good restaurants there too, but downtown restaurants have a different flavor all their own."
Williams said when he and his wife ate at Cafe Cimmento on East Boardman Street recently, he noticed owner George Mager looked troubled. Mager said business was good. In fact, his problem was how to accommodate all the people who want to book reservations at his restaurant, because he had to turn 25 people away.
Downtown safety
Williams spoke about the safety of downtown and that police are assigned downtown to motorcycle, bicycle and foot patrols. Some YAEDA members said they tell patrons they are safer on downtown streets than they are in some areas of the suburbs.
The mayor said his plans for demolition of blighted buildings includes some commercial buildings. He said he has developed an appreciation for building preservation since he's been in office.
"I thought it was better to have a grassy lot instead of an old, unsafe building," he said. "But now I see the benefits of preservation, and there are buildings worth saving."
Williams said with investors committed to creating housing in some downtown buildings, in about two to three years, downtown residents will be able to spend the day downtown, all without ever driving a car.
They will walk from their apartments in the morning to work, then go to a downtown restaurant eat, then go to a concert or theater production, then walk to restaurants or nightclubs for drinks or dancing, then walk home and go to bed, he said.
Responding to questions from YAEDA members, Williams said he wants to work with Chevrolet Centre officials to provide affordable, family-oriented activities, such as using the ice arena for public skating.
Some members said city officials need to do a better job of explaining how the Chevrolet Centre funding works, and where the money goes after events. They said people don't know if the city is getting any of the money or not.
tullis@vindy.com