Historic YW to undergo renovations

The project, which officially begins Friday, will rehabilitate the building while preserving it as a historic landmark.

YOUNGSTOWN — “We made it” said Constance Shaffer, executive director of the Youngstown YWCA, with obvious pride and relief that work officially begins Friday on the $8.1 million renovation of the historic downtown facility.

The groundbreaking ceremony is at 9 a.m. at the YWCA, at 25 W. Rayen Ave., on the east side of the building in the Youngstown City Board of Education parking lot. Free parking is available at Youngstown State University’s Williamson College of Business Administration or any parking facility on the YSU campus, YW officials said.

Featured speakers are Shaffer; Susan M. Moorer, YW immediate past president; Judge Cheryl L. Waite of the 7th District Court of Appeals, YW board president; and Chris Gabick, steering committee chairwoman.

Phase 1 of the project will rehabilitate the YW building for modern-day use, while preserving it as a historic landmark, officials said.

The updated, five-story building will include 30 one-bedroom and efficiency apartments, while preserving the historic gymnasium and lobby converting the space for a retail store, community use and work force development, and the windows will be replaced, according to a project description.

Environmental abatement work already has begun on the project, construction of which is expected to take about a year, Shaffer said. The pool is slated for demolition next week.

The project was placed on the YW’s strategic plan in 1996, but concentrated work on the financing began in 2006. A major piece of the funding was achieved in 2007 with the approval of about $3.4 million in low-income housing tax credits, Shaffer said.

Other major funding sources include donations from individuals and foundations, funding from state, local and government sources, the YWCA and a capital fundraising campaign.

Money is still needed for the project’s second phase, Shaffer said.

There was a lot of soul searching to determine if the YW wanted to restore the Rayen Avenue building or build a new facility someplace else, she said.

“It was decided to preserve the building and continue to express our mission in the downtown area,” Shaffer said.

The YW’s mission is to “eliminate racism and empower women by providing housing and supportive services, childcare and youth development, health education and outreach and economic empowerment for women.”

Because not as much money was raised as hoped for by the capital campaign, there will be some unfinished work on the second floor, and the preservation of the veranda on the east side of the building will have to wait, Shaffer added.

alcorn@vindy.com

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