Youngstown council approves law to help downtown businesses

YOUNGSTOWN

City council rejected legislation that would have made it illegal for people to loiter downtown and permit police officers to question those standing about what they’re doing.

Instead, council approved an ordinance Wednesday prohibiting people from blocking sidewalks, streets and public places.

Council members said they were uncomfortable with the original language proposed by Mayor John A. McNally.

“Over the past two months, we’ve stepped up enforcement downtown, and [business owners] are happy,” McNally said. “I’m glad to have something on the books.”

The increased enforcement, the mayor said, includes having officers charge violators of open-container and drug-possession laws.

“We’re looking to stop some of this behavior downtown,” McNally said.

Council also authorized the board of control to seek proposals for paving and waterline improvements to Meridian Road between Mahoning Avenue and Interstate 680.

Read more about the matters in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.