Youngstown finalizing agreement to have area Air Force reservists demolish 11 vacant structures

By David Skolnick | June 18, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

The city is finalizing an agreement to have Youngs-town Air Reserve Station reservists handle neighborhood improvement projects starting with the demolition of 11 vacant structures around Taft Elementary School.

City council voted Wednesday to authorize the board of control sign an agreement with the Vienna-based station.

The demolition work will start next month, said Col. James D. Dignan, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing at the reserve station.

“I have journeymen and apprentices who need training on the heavy equipment” used for demolition work, he said. “It will get them training and certification in fields. It’s an opportunity for them to get hands-on experience while serving the city.”

To start, six to 10 reservists will do the demolition work around Taft, Dignan said.

He said he wants other work including electrical and wastewater to be implemented over time.

“It’s a good way to start,” Dignan said. “We’ll start small and look to expand it.”

The contract would expire June 30, 2016, pending board of control approval.

The work to be done around Taft is on Boston and Avondale avenues on the city’s South Side, said Abigail Beniston, the city’s code enforcement and blight remediation superintendent.

The city will provide the materials, tools and equipment for the reservists.