Youngstown council votes to demolish Fieldhouse bleachers, dismiss board member

YOUNGSTOWN

The city plans to demolish the dilapidated concrete bleachers at the South High Fieldhouse’s football field, the location of a brazen murder in 2006 during a youth football game.

Also, council voted Wednesday to uphold Mayor Charles Sammarone’s decision to remove Terri Bryant from the city’s park and recreation commission for “gross neglect of duty.”

City council voted 7-0 Wednesday to authorize the board of control to enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder to demolish the bleachers.

“It’s a tremendous hazard and a safety issue,” said Robert Burke, the city’s park and recreation director, said of the concrete bleachers.

The demolition of the concrete bleachers should be done by the fall, said Charles Shasho, deputy director of the city’s public works department.

Anthony Spano, chairman of the park and recreation commission. said, “We hope to do more of this type of work after our park master plan is done in the coming months.”

Also Wednesday, city council voted 6-1 to confirm Sammarone’s decision to remove Bryant from the park and recreation commission.

Nate Pinkard, D-3rd, was the only council member to oppose the mayor’s decision.

For the complete story, read Thursday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.