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Downtown Youngstown business owners object to the city closing West Federal Street for festivals
YOUNGSTOWN
Business owners on West Federal Street, downtown’s busiest road, say outdoor festivals that close access to their establishments are financially hurting them.
Anne Massullo Sabella, co-owner of the Avalon Downtown pizzeria, 17 W. Federal St., told city council Wednesday that her business and others nearby are losing customers because of downtown festivals that block the street.
“Events are becoming a problem for my customers to pick up orders,” she said. “I’ve lost a lot of business. If there are events downtown, they should be at a parking lot or on East Federal Street where there are fewer businesses.”
Barry Silver, owner of Silver’s Vogue Shop, a clothing store at 27 W. Federal St., attended the meeting and told The Vindicator that closing West Federal Street for downtown festivals has been a long-standing problem that has hurt his business.
“No one can get to my store because the street is closed,” he said.
Councilwoman Annie Gillam, D-1st, whose ward includes downtown, said she plans to have a meeting next month of downtown business owners to come up with solutions to this issue.
Meanwhile, council voted Wednesday to bill downtown business owners at least $150 if they fail to remove snow and ice from in front of their properties.
After hearing concerns from business owners about a 7 a.m. deadline after a snowstorm, however, council agreed to move that time to 9 a.m.
“The later time is more acceptable to business owners,” said Mayor John A. McNally, while acknowledging that some still oppose the new requirement.
The law requires those in the central business district to remove snow and ice from city sidewalks by 9 a.m. on the day after it snows with a minimum 42-inch cleared path.
If a sidewalk is less than 42 inches wide, the full width must be cleared.
Failure to remove snow and ice by 9 a.m. could result in a $150 fine per occurrence for up to 100 linear feet, and $250 per occurrence for 100 linear feet or more.
“Hopefully, we won’t have to fine anyone,” McNally said.
Also Wednesday, council voted 5-2 to increase its motor-vehicle license fee from $5 to $10. Gillam and Councilwoman Janet Tarpley, D-6th, voted against the increase, saying doubling the fee isn’t the right solution to paving more roads.
The increase will generate $550,000 more a year that will go to road improvements and for local matches to obtain state and federal money for street-repair projects, McNally said. He had previously said it would add $350,000 annually, but said Wednesday that figure isn’t correct. The $550,000 would allow the city to pave an additional 25 to 30 streets a year, McNally said.
Council voted 7-0 to streamline the city’s laws on obtaining permits for parades, block parties and other events on public streets or rights of way.
The city will require a $100 deposit for events that include outdoor cooking, at least three food vendors or serve alcohol, said Michael McGiffin, coordinator of downtown events and special projects.
Neighborhood block parties are exempt from the deposit, he said.