Tuesday, June 26, 2007
YOUNGSTOWN — A downtown redevelopment agency board authorized its staff to take the initial steps on a project to increase the amount of high-tech business space on West Federal Street.
The “tech-block” project is intended to turn the Wells Building and the Semple Building, both vacant, into high-tech facilities. The project would also demolish two other structures, the Armed Forces Building and the State Theater, with the hope of saving the latter’s historic facade.
The Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp. board approved a request today to have its staff hire a company to determine the project’s demolition and remediation costs and then oversee those activities. The CIC will spend up to $75,000 to the company.
The CIC received $2.75 million from the state capital budget in December 2006 for this project. The estimated total cost of the project, to be done in phases, is $5.9 million.
The project could receive $231,000 from the federal government for renovations of the Semple Building.
For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator or www.vindy.com