$2 million for building improvements at YSU

By Marc Kovac | April 7, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

COLUMBUS

The state controlling board released more than $2 million Monday for building improvements at Youngstown State University.

More than $1.3 million will go toward roof repairs at YSU’s Fedor, Moser and Tod halls, where sections will be completely removed and replaced and new drainage and insulation installed. Boak & Sons Inc. of Austintown submitted the low bid for the work.

Also Monday, lawmakers released nearly $777,000 for restroom renovations in Sweeney, Ward Beecher, Tod and Bliss halls, including new fixtures and lighting, flooring and stall partitions. The restrooms are among the most-used on the YSU campus, according to documents.

Murphy Contracting of Youngstown submitted the low bid for that project.

In other business, the board released $500,000 for a new residence in Youngstown to house adults dealing with severe mental illness or drug addiction.

The Meridian Community Care project calls for a two-story building on Covington Street on the city’s North Side, with 40 one-bedroom units, according to documents. The total project will cost nearly $7.9 million, and the applicant is covering the balance.

Lawmakers released $226,000 for design work related to a roof replacement at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown.

The current roof was installed more than 17 years ago. According to documents, “Water is leaking into the building, causing damage to the ceilings, walls and floors. The roof has been patched several times, but patches are no longer effective.”

K2M Design Inc. of Cleveland is handling the work.

The board also signed off on more than $2 million in funding for local government efforts to cut spending and share services, including financing for a project in Columbiana County.

The Columbiana County Port Authority will use the $500,000 loan in its efforts to create a countywide wireless network — part of a larger Rivernet effort to better link law enforcement, waterway and federal, state and local offices.

East Liverpool, Wellsville, St. Clair Township, the Buckeye Water District and others are among the partners in the project.