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Youngstown mayor touts downtown revitalization in State of City address
YOUNGSTOWN
Mayor John A. McNally put the spotlight on downtown during his State of the City address, but added that his administration is looking to develop businesses in other parts of Youngstown.
McNally, a Democrat, spoke of ongoing work to revitalize the Wick Building and Wells Building on West Federal Street as well as plans to improve the Gallagher Building on Commerce Street.
That’s “in excess of $20 million in commitments” for downtown, McNally, mayor since January 2014, said during his 23-minute speech Friday.
The city provided funding to help with the development of Wick and Wells.
“We need to be a bridge like we did” with those two projects, McNally said. “Without the city’s help, I don’t think those two projects would be happening.”
He also discussed the proposed construction of a DoubleTree Hotel at the Stambaugh Building on East Federal Street and plans to turn the former Wean United Building and nearby open space along the Mahoning River into a park with an amphitheater behind the city-owned Covelli Centre.
“Interest in downtown Youngstown is, indeed, very strong,” McNally said.
There are also plans for two companies to move into city business parks, with announcements expected in the next 90 days, and a larger business possibly coming to Youngstown by the end of the year, McNally said. He declined to provide details, but said: “They’ll provide jobs for city and [Mahoning County] residents, and develop some land that hasn’t been utilized.”
McNally’s State of the City address was given at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Good Morning, Youngstown event at the Youngstown Country Club in Liberty.
The mayor discussed the patching of numerous potholes in the city by the street department.
“Obviously, it’s going to take a while to catch up with Mother Nature, but we will catch up,” he said.
Thomas Humphries, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer, said of McNally: “It takes a leader to oversee the city, and I think he’s doing a good job. He’s been working really hard.”
Also speaking at the event was Michael McGriffin, the city’s coordinator of downtown events and special projects.
He said there will be some new events downtown this summer including a fundraiser for Beatitude House that will have people rappel 15 stories outside the First National Bank Tower. Also, McGriffin said he is looking at turning the Market Street Bridge into a 1,000-foot-long “slip and slide” to raise money for the Rich Center for Autism.
Also, the city will revamp its website — cityofyoungstownoh.org — and create a section for arts and entertainment activities, McGriffin said.