Wick Neighbors’ leader steps down

The organization is ready to move ahead with engineering and infrastructure work.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — After more than six years as the head of Wick Neighbors Inc., Margaret L. Murphy has retired.

“The time is right to step down,” said Murphy, who served as Wick Neighbor’s executive director. “I move on with enormous gratitude to all who have supported this organization.”

The organization is spearheading a proposed $100 million neighborhood with housing and retail businesses in a 66-acre location, known as Smoky Hollow, bounded by Wick, Andrews, Rayen and Madison avenues.

The original plan was for $250 million, but was scaled back after the organization hired Zaremba Inc., a Cleveland company, in 2007 to help develop the project.

Because of the soft housing market, Zaremba parted ways with Wick Neighbors.

The development envisions up to 300 units of new housing, 20,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, 32,000 linear feet of new public infrastructure, new park and green space and parking. The organization has raised about $3 million to $4 million in private and public funds, and is ready to move forward with engineering and infrastructure work.

Scott Schulick, chairman of the Wick Neighbors Inc.’s board of trustees, said the search for Murphy’s replacement is under way. “Margaret Murphy’s impact on community development will be a lasting legacy to the city of Youngstown, long after the Smoky Hollow neighborhood is rebuilt,” Schulick said. “She has played a pioneering role in this kind of development for Youngstown and has been a tireless, persistent leader and advocate for a healthier, prosperous city.”

Mayor Jay Williams said: “Margaret has contributed significantly to move the Wick Neighbor/Smoky Hollow effort forward. Her efforts and her passion are appreciated by those dedicated to the redevelopment of the city and the advancement of the Wick Neighbors/Smoky Hollow project that has the potential to be one of the city’s crowned jewels.”