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Design work to begin for amphitheater, park downtown Youngstown
YOUNGSTOWN
The city’s board of control signed a $141,000 contract to have a Columbus architectural firm design plans for an amphitheater at the Covelli Centre, for a park along the Mahoning River, and for ways to tie downtown and Mill Creek MetroParks to Youngstown State University.
The board signed the deal Thursday with MKSK, which is partnering with MS Consultants of Youngstown and FTL Design Engineering Studio of New York City.
“This will be a game-changer for the aesthetics of downtown, YSU and Mill Creek Park,” said city Finance Director David Bozanich, a board of control member.
The city is paying $94,000 to MKSK for predesign work through the completion of a master plan for the amphitheater and riverpark projects.
The contract calls for MKSK to be paid $47,000 for predesign through concept design work to Phelps and Hazel street that would better tie YSU to downtown. There isn’t a set dollar amount for design development and construction drawings for that project.
The city selected MKSK from among six proposals last month to design the amphitheater and a park along the Mahoning River from underneath the South Avenue Bridge, passing under the Market Street Bridge, to just west of Hazel Street at the former site of the Wean United Building. That structure was demolished last year with property ownership given to the city.
The park could include walking and bike paths, gardens, an ice-skating area and a play area.
“We see putting a recreational area in walking distance from downtown as an improvement to the development” of that area, said city Law Director Martin Hume, a board of control member.
The city also asked MKSK to develop a plan for streetscape and improvements to Phelps and Hazel streets to possibly turn portions of them into an entertainment district that would permit, under new state law, people to drink alcoholic beverages outside in designated areas.
The work could include increased lighting and landscaping improvements “to make it an attractive path between downtown” and YSU, Hume said.
An amphitheater would increase the number of events at the city-owned Covelli Centre, particularly during the summer when the indoor facility is rarely used, city officials say. The outdoor facility would be available to community groups and for after-work events in addition to shows and concerts.
The schematic design of the riverpark and the amphitheater is to be finished by Nov. 30, with the master plan to be done by Jan. 15, 2016, according to the contract between the city and MKSK.
The agreement doesn’t include a deadline for the Phelps and Hazel streets projects.
The city and the firm also will seek federal and state grants as well as foundation money, and will sell naming rights to the amphitheater and park. Also, city water and wastewater department funding will be used for those specific purposes.