Downtown sports museum idea is dropped

YOUNGSTOWN — An organization wanting to transform a vacant downtown building into a sports museum and bar withdrew its proposal after striking out on raising enough money for the venture.

The Youngstown Arts and Entertainment District Association wanted to purchase and renovate the former Kress Building on West Federal Street between Phelps and Hazel streets. The building is owned by the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp., a downtown property redevelopment agency.

Association officials had expressed concerns about the renovation and construction costs, estimated at $2.5 million, since it proposed the idea to the CIC about a year ago.

Jeffrey A. Kurz, the entertainment association’s legal counsel, faxed a letter today to the CIC “formally withdrawing our bid” on the redevelopment project.

While one downtown redevelopment project failed, another is progressing.

The Sweet Jenny Land Co. informed the CIC property committee   that it had finalized a loan, of about $200,000, from Sky Bank for the redevelopment of the former John R. Davis Building on West Federal Street, just east of the Downtown Draught House.

The company comprised of three architects plans to spend about $330,000 to renovate the building, use the second floor for its offices, lease the first floor and provide space on the third floor for an art studio and apartment.