YSU, Wick Neighbors work to redefine their relationship

By DENISE DICK

denise_dick@vindy.com

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A Youngstown State University committee doesn’t want Wick Neighbors Inc. to function as its development arm, but it would like to negotiate with the organization to acquire five parcels WNI owns in Smoky Hollow.

Those were among the recommendations last week during a finance and facilities committee meeting of YSU trustees.

A YSU committee of trustees Harry Meshel and Leonard Schiavone and John Hyden, executive director of facilities, and Atty. Greg Morgione, associate general counsel, met with Wick Neighbors representatives on the future relationship between the two entities.

WNI submitted a proposal to the university to restructure itself “as a community development corporation formally partnered with YSU, serving as the development arm of the university,” material submitted to committee members said.

The organization would restructure its executive committee, allowing YSU the authority to appoint the WNI board chair and the majority of seats on the executive committee.

Under the proposal, WNI’s physical assets, such as engineering design work for the infrastructure improvements along Walnut Street and five parcels in Smoky Hollow, appraised at about $33,000 would be transferred to YSU.

The organization also wanted the university to provide them with office space on campus. WNI is located in St. John’s Episcopal Church on Wick Avenue. YSU would have the authority to appoint a new executive director.

YSU’s group has some different ideas.

“Our committee felt it would probably be in our best interest to continue to have Wick Neighbors operate as an independent community development group,” Morgione said.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com