Youngstown committee approves first phase of exterior work to downtown hotel project

YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s Design Review Committee approved the first phase of exterior work to the proposed downtown DoubleTree by Hilton hotel being built at the Stambaugh Building.

That work includes replacing windows at the building at 44 E. Federal St. as well as work to the terra cotta, including cleaning, replacing those missing and re-pointing them, said Paul Hagman, the project’s historic-preservation architect.

“It will give a cleaner, updated appearance to the building,” he said.

The committee approved the plan today.

As for a start to the exterior work, Hagman said, “I wouldn’t expect much activity until the fall.”

This part of the project will cost NYO Property Group, which owns the building, about $2 million to $3 million, Hagman said.

NYO is also replacing the roof, and doing some interior demolition and asbestos abatement to the vacant 12-story building.

The hotel project will cost $31 million, city officials say. If a nearby parking deck is demolished and replaced, the project’s cost increases to about $39.7 million.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com