Strollo: downtown is alive and well

By Kalea Hall

khall@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Life in the downtown and Youngstown State University areas of the city have greatly changed in the past few decades.

On Friday, John Hyden, the YSU executive director of facilities, and Gregg Strollo of Strollo Architects spoke of the change at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s “Good Morning, Youngstown” event at Stambaugh Auditorium.

“YSU is a never-ending work in progress,” Hyden said.

YSU has been through a “dramatic transformation” since the 1970s, he said. Much of the change was driven by trustees and presidents of the university through the years.

“These visionaries have led the evolution to make it [YSU] a crowning jewel of the region,” Hyden said to a large crowd of local professionals, businesspeople and others.

Hyden noted the changes made to connect the campus to downtown and to enhance the campus’ sustainability.

YSU President Jim Tressel has initiated efforts to give the university more of an edge. Next fall, the university will have 162 new student apartments at 348 W. Rayen Ave. Hallmark Campus Communities of Columbus is the company behind the University Edge YSU apartments.

Strollo discussed the improvements made in the downtown area since he came back to town in the mid-1970s.

“Things have turned around but not swiftly and not without great effort,” Strollo said.

Strollo Architects recently moved its headquarters into the Wells Building at 201 W. Federal St. after the company had the historic building restored. Above the Strollo headquarters are apartments on the second, third and fourth floors.

Strollo Architects is doing the design work for the $5 million renovation of the Central YMCA on North Champion Street.

The renovated YMCA will bring in more natural lighting.

“Downtown is alive and well,” Strollo said. “It’s a fabulous time in Youngstown. It’s not all doom and gloom.”