Open house Wed. to explore 150 ways to better connect downtown, YSU

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Proposals for creating better connections between downtown Youngstown and the campus of Youngstown State University will be presented at an open house 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Lewis School, 30 W. Front St., Youngstown.

The open house will feature 150 projects completed by students from Kent State University on creating an interconnected downtown Youngstown and YSU campus by rethinking the built environment.

The project is a collaboration of the city of Youngstown, YSU’s Regional Economic Development Initiative and Kent State’s College of Architecture and Environmental Design. The studio has engaged city, non-profit, and private leaders during the design process with the hope of re-envisioning potential sites for investment and re-use.

“YSU truly appreciates the expertise and commitment of our Kent State University faculty and student partners,” said Mike Hripko YSU associate vice president for Research. “This collaboration provides the city of Youngstown with a comprehensive architectural and business vision for the future that can be used to accelerate development and attract further investment.”