State board OKs $1.3M for YSU improvements

By Marc Kovac

YSU also will buy 0.632 acre on Wood Street for $100,000.

COLUMBUS — The state Controlling Board signed off on $1.3 million Monday for improvements at Youngstown State University.

The funds are for the second phase of the University Plaza improvement project and will cover new curbs, walkways, lighting, landscaping and utilities along Spring Street in front of the new Andrews Recreation and Wellness Center, according to documents. The project is part of a larger effort at YSU to transform University Plaza/Spring Street into a campus main street.

In other business, the Controlling Board approved YSU’s purchase of 0.632 acre from a New York firm for $100,000.

The purchase includes nine parcels, all owned by WR&L Associates Inc. and located on Wood Street. The site will be used for parking for the Williamson College of Business, according to documents.

Also Monday:

UThe board approved Kent State University’s plans to purchase a property in East Liverpool for an expansion of its East Liverpool campus.

The site, costing $75,000, is located at 401 College St., includes 0.131 of an acre and is owned by the American National Red Cross. The existing building will be used by KSU’s occupational therapy assistant technology program, according to document.

UThe board approved $79,568.90 for roof repairs at the Wasson Center at the Northeastern Ohio Universities Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy in Rootstown.

According to documents, “Currently, water is leaking into the clinical assessment training laboratory. These leaks are causing ceiling, wall and countertop damage. In addition, full utilization of the space is limited, which affects the clinical assessment training of our students.”