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Demolition begins for State Theatre
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TEARING DOWN: A bulldozer is a sure sign that the 90-day remediation and demolition project of the State Theatre and the Armed Forces Building on West Federal Street has begun. The two buildings, between the Wells Building and the John R. Davis Building, will eventually become a high-tech site.
By KATIE SEMINARA
The Tech Block project on West Federal Street takes its next step toward completion.
YOUNGSTOWN — Walking through the doors of the State Theatre in the late 1920s, patrons found entertainment and architectural splendor.
A walk through the State’s doors today, however, would reveal only a large pile of bricks and debris.
The 90-day remediation and dem- olition project of the State Theatre and the Armed Forces Building on West Federal Street reached the bulldozing phase Tuesday.
Although exterior demolition was supposed to start Monday, the one-day delay hasn’t hindered the plans of the Youngstown Central Area Community Improvement Corp.
“Everything is on schedule and on budget,” said Lynn-Marie Popa, the CIC’s facilities supervisor.
The demolition of the State and Armed Forces buildings is part of a greater plan for West Federal being implemented by the CIC.
The two structures, between the Wells Building and the John R. Davis Building, will eventually become a tech building as an expansion to the Tech Block. During the limbo period, the vacant property will be transformed into temporary green space and a parking lot, said Popa.
The Tech Block is a multimillion-dollar project aiming to create a section of West Federal that can act as the future home for thriving technology companies.
Some people have voiced the opinion that the CIC shouldn’t be tearing down a piece of Youngstown history, but the CIC focuses on improving downtown, said Popa.
“I understand it’s history, but it’s history that couldn’t be saved,” she said.
The building’s innards have fallen over the years and couldn’t be salvaged, but part of the history will be spared.
The facade of the State will stay standing as well as a 20-foot section inside the front of the building.
As plans move forward, the CIC will look to incorporate and restore the facade as part of the Tech Block construction.
The Semple Building is also part of the Tech Block project and is now being remediated for its future as a high-tech facility, similar to the Taft facility and the Youngstown Business Incubator.
“The demands are huge for these kinds of facilities. It’s unbelievable, with the economy,” said Popa.
Demolition completion is scheduled for Dec. 15.