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Youngstown moves closer to phase 1 of park, amphitheater
YOUNGSTOWN
The city could be ready to seek bids as soon as next spring for phase 1 of the vision that includes a downtown park along the Mahoning River and a 3,250-seat, open-air amphitheater near the Covelli Centre.
Finance Director David Bozanich said he anticipates having the necessary authorizing legislation before city council by the end of the year.
Also, Bozanich said at a council committee-of-the-whole meeting Thursday he believes that $3 million to $4 million of the $6 million needed to construct phase 1 will be available in sponsorship for things such as naming rights, and an additional $1 million to $2 million from various city enterprise funds.
“Our goal is to not tap the general operating fund for the project,” Bozanich said.
MKSK, a Columbus landscape architectural firm, presented council with a concept design of what phase 1 could look like, which its representative, Brian Kinzelman, called a “spectacular opportunity to convert former industrial land into Youngstown’s Central Park ... an appealing front door to the city.”
“Transformational” is how Mayor John A. McNally described the impact the project would have on Youngstown.
It would provide connections to Mill Creek MetroParks and Youngstown State University.
“We have the resources, and we have the momentum. I’d like to see it move forward,” the mayor said.
If all goes well, phase 1 could be under construction by the middle of 2017, Bozanich said.
“One key point, this is a park that is downtown, but it is not just for downtown. It is for the entire area,” Kinzelman said.
Councilman Michael L. Ray Jr., D-4th, chairman of the meeting, noting the success the city is having in reinvigorating the downtown, said the project would “be another great piece” to that effort.
The next steps to move the project forward are for MKSK to finalize the concept master plan’s authorization of design, bidding and construction contracts by the city, and development of a full design and bid packages.
In August 2015, the city’s board of control issued a $141,000 contract to MKSK to design the amphitheater, a park along the river, and connectors to Mill Creek Park and YSU.
The city also is paying $94,000 to MKSK for pre-design work through completion of a master plan for the amphitheater and river park projects.
Other ideas for the park include a children’s garden and play area; event spaces and food-truck parking; community garden spaces; athletics, such as basketball and boccie; a trail system and a river overlook.
Regarding the river overlook, Kinzelman said, “It is a glorious river, but no one can see it.”