43
Brownlee Woods sign stands tall
By SEAN BARRON
YOUNGSTOWN
A sign designating the historical name of one of the city’s South Side neighborhoods has been repaired and reinstalled.
“It gives people a sense of pride when they see the sign, and it says the neighborhood is strong and vibrant,” said Chris Travers, president of the 7th Ward Citizens Coalition.
The sign at Midlothian Boulevard and Sheridan Road welcomes people to Brownlee Woods, which is in the 7th Ward.
The $1,100 sign was erected in its original spot Thursday, an effort by the nonprofit citizens coalition.
A hit-and-run driver apparently struck the sign during the Memorial Day weekend about 10 days after it had been installed.
Travers speculated that the motorist likely failed to negotiate the turn onto Sheridan and hit it before driving away.
One of its posts was found across the street, he recalled.
The 5-foot-tall green sign with beige lettering is flanked by a protective stone wall, along with flowers in front of and behind it.
The newly formed Brownlee Woods Neighborhood Association recently performed landscaping work at the location.
Taking on the restoration work was Mike Mayernik, owner of Warren-based Mike Makes Signs, who designed new sleeves and caps for the poles and repaired a portion of the sign that had been broken.
Mayernik also repainted a portion and used high-density urethane material, which is more durable than wood, he explained.
“It won’t crack, warp or rot and is virtually indestructible,” Mayernik said, adding that he charged about $250 for the work, which took about eight hours.
Also assisting with the painting was Mayernik’s wife, Rosalie.
The project also was funded in part by a Raymond J. Wean Foundation Neighborhood SUCCESS Grant.
The 7th Ward Citizens Coalition is a volunteer organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the ward’s neighborhoods.
It is made up of 13 block-watch programs, along with the neighborhood association and citizens coalition, noted Councilman John R. Swierz.