Council expected to OK $1.8M deal with Wean Foundation for park naming rights

YOUNGSTOWN — City council is expected Wednesday to approve a $1,875,000, 15-year deal with the Raymond John Wean Foundation to name the riverfront park attached to the city’s new amphitheater after the organization.

The proposed deal calls for the foundation to get naming rights to the park – to be called the Raymond John Wean Foundation Park – for $125,000 a year for 15 years.

JAC Management Group and the city have negotiated for months with the foundation for the deal, Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said.

City council will vote Wednesday on the proposal, which also needs the approval of the board of control, of which Brown is chairman.

The money would be used to maintain the park and pay the $40,000 annual salary for the community engagement and inclusion coordinator. JAC hired Derrick McDowell of Youngstown in May for that job.

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com