Delapidated houses primary concern of South Side residents at tonight's meeting

YOUNGSTOWN

Barbara Franklin is frustrated with having to live between two houses that have fallen into disrepair.

Another source of frustration is what she sees as ambitious plans to tackle the challenges of blighted city neighborhoods that too often lead to inaction.

“I’d like to see the two homes torn down, remodeled or converted to starter homes,” said Franklin, who’s lived in her Idlewood Avenue residence on the South Side about 40 years.

Franklin was among those who voiced such concerns during Tuesday’s Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. meeting at the Newport branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, 3730 Market St. on the South Side.

The one-hour session was the second of nine meetings to collect residents’ input, concerns and priorities regarding what they feel is vital for neighborhood improvements and stabilization on citywide and neighborhood levels.

Such feedback is to be incorporated into data to develop a variety of strategies to meet those goals within a framework of limited financial resources, noted Ian J. Beniston, YNDC’s deputy director.

Franklin, a Sheridan Block Watch member, said she doesn’t understand why some homes in her area have sat vacant for several years before being boarded.

“I just want to see some action done,” she continued, adding that she also lives across the street from a dilapidated apartment building, which adds to the blight.

During the session, which focused mainly on the South Side’s Cottage Grove, Newport and Pleasant Grove sections, Beniston discussed the areas’ crime and population trends, average household income, property ownership, poverty rates and other demographics.

For thew complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.