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Youngstown panel to review proposals for riverfront park, amphitheater downtown
YOUNGSTOWN
A seven-member committee will review the six proposals from firms on designing an amphitheater at the Covelli Centre and a park along the Mahoning River, and then recommend one to the board of control.
Mayor John A. McNally, the board of control chairman, selected the committee members Tuesday.
The committee’s work should take about two to three months, McNally said. When the committee is done, it will recommend a firm for the work.
The committee will review the qualification information provided by the firms last week and then decide how many would be invited to give presentations, McNally said.
“This will allow the committee to see what [the firms] envision, and the costs of various concepts for this project,” he said. “We’re also looking for the firms to think about how this would be funded.”
Sean McKinney, the city’s building and grounds commissioner, is the committee chairman.
The other members are:
Charles Shasho, deputy director of public works.
Robert Burke, park and recreation director.
T. Sharon Woodberry, director of community planning and economic development.
Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st.
Eric Ryan, Covelli Centre’s executive director.
Aaron Young, executive director of Mill Creek MetroParks.
The city wants to build an amphitheater at the back of its Covelli Centre to attract more outdoor events and shows, particularly during the summer.
Also, the city is interested in a park along the Mahoning River on a 15-acre location from underneath the South Avenue Bridge, behind the center, to just west of Hazel Street, where the former Wean United building was located. Wean was demolished last year, and the property was given to the city.
There is no cost estimate for the work.