Smoky Hollow project moving forward

By MARGARET L. MURPHY

The Wick District Smoky Hollow Mixed-Use Neighborhood Development is moving forward. Over the next few weeks the city of Youngstown will be addressing legislation needed to advance this potentially $100 million development located adjacent to both the Youngstown State University campus and the downtown business district.

This complex urban initiative is a cornerstone of Youngstown’s rebirth for several reasons. It is the first large-scale, mixed-use development in the city in many decades. Its central location supports the historic institutional district’s long-term sustainability, Andrews Avenue business growth and downtown revitalization. Its pioneering work also builds public-private support for investment in the city’s neighborhoods. Indeed, the entire Mahoning Valley has and will continue to benefit from the efforts in public-private partnerships and urban reinvestment strategy that has been initiated as a result of this project.

Wick Neighbors Inc., a nonprofit community development corporation founded in September 2003, is spearheading this project. Committed to the goal that Youngstown will thrive by bringing residents and jobs back to the city, WNI has brought the community together. Area residents, churches, cultural institutions, the university, the city, Youngstown Board of Education, educational institutions, trade unions, homebuilders, financial and medical institutions, Youngstown Business Incubator firms and area businesses are all involved in the work of this organization.

Private investment

Not only has the broad-based community rallied behind this project, over 300 individuals, corporations, and foundations have invested well over $1 million in support of the organization and in predevelopment costs. To date, 97 percent of all funding is from the private sector. This investment has enabled WNI to complete the essential predevelopment groundwork necessary for successful real estate development. Engineering and environmental analysis, infrastructure cost estimates, design standards, zoning approvals, economic impact and market analyses are complete. After a national and regional search, representatives from the community selected a qualified developer, Zaremba, Inc., an established and experienced Cleveland developer, Zaremba will oversee the construction of up to 300 units of housing (single family, town homes, condominiums, and lofts), retail space, park and green space and all new infrastructure.

The catalytic importance of this project is appreciated by many. Mayor Jay Williams sees this development as a top priority and the success of Youngstown 2010. U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan has stated that, “new, walkable urban neighborhoods that offer a strong quality of life are critical to the high-technology jobs being developed downtown.”

As frequently noted by Youngstown State University leadership, an urban campus does not stand alone. Strong viable neighborhoods are essential to attracting students, recruiting quality faculty, and positioning itself as a competitive university. The market appeal voiced by numerous potential homeowners is the walkable neighborhood linked to the university, downtown entertainment, sports, the arts, employment, learning and worship — all within minutes.

Wick District-Smoky Hollosw also serves as a model for the governor’s Turnaround Ohio plan for revitalizing older industrial cities. It fits as a priority for state infrastructure investment, helps transform the physical landscapes, stimulates economic growth, grows the middle class, creates a neighborhood of choice and builds upon Youngstown’s emerging strengths of knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship.

Experiences in other cities show that such large-scale urban redevelopment projects take a long view, patience and a strong public–private partnership. Increasingly, Wick Neighbors Inc. has found this same support from our local and state elected and appointed officials here in the Mahoning Valley. With their help, together we have shaped the administrative and political roadmap to secure the infrastructure funding needed.

X Margaret L. Murphy is executive director of Wick Neighbors, Inc.