Welcome to the Business Journal Archives
Search for articles below, or continue to the all new BusinessJournalDaily.com now.
Search
Design Review OKs Demos, Windows for Home Savings
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Demolition of two downtown buildings will add 27 more parking spaces to the central business district here.
Mary Coyne Investments Inc., Cleveland, which owns several downtown parking lots including ones adjacent to the two structures, this morning received approval from the city’s Design Review Committee to take down the structures.
“You hate to see buildings go down in the business district, but in these cases” the structures are “in pretty bad repair,” said Walter Van Scoter, project manager with Strollo Architects, Youngstown, who appeared before the committee to discuss the demolition projects.
Demolition of the building at 25 S. Phelps St., the former Public Market, will add 21 parking spaces to the existing lot there, bringing the total number of spaces available there to 78. Demolition of the building at 203 W. Boardman St. will add six spaces to the lot there, brining the total number of spaces to 72.
Design Review Committee member John DeFrance noted that the plans submitted did not feature landscaping or planters that the city’s standards encourage. Van Scoter said the renderings submitted were for the purpose of securing approval for the demolition and further designs would be submitted for approval that would address those concerns.
In addition, the committee approved a request by the Home Savings & Loan Co. to replace 381 windows at its 275 W. Federal St. building. The existing windows will be replaced with insulated glass, said Ted Downie, president of Alex Downie & Sons, Youngstown.
Work is expected to begin Oct. 1 on the project, although work could be halted temporarily if the weather turns cold early, Downie advised. He estimated the cost of the project at around $500,000.
The committee also approved the design submitted by Scoter, on behalf of Community Corrections Association, Youngstown, for façade work to be done on its building at 1806 Market St. The approval was needed as a prerequisite to CCA seeking a façade grant from the city.
In February, CCA purchased the building, which was the former John Knox Presbyterian Church, remodeled the educational center in the rear and demolishied the main church building due to structural issues, said David Stillwagon, CCA’s CEO.
The new façade will use brick and synthetic stucco, similar to neighgoring CCA properties. “We’re just trying to keep the similar vocabulary,” Van Scoter said. The work, which should be completed by spring, should cost about $80,000, he said.
The committee also approved replacement of an existing sign at the West Wood Street entrance to the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor and installation of an additional sign on Commerce Street.
The new signage is due in part to the recent rebranding of the former Ohio Historical Society as Ohio History Connection, said Meta von Rabenau, architect. Signs are being replaced at all 58 historical sites operated by OHC.
Additionally, the committee approved landscaping for the site of the former Paramount Theater. The committee has yet to approve seating for the area after deciding against tables and chairs in favor of benches.
Member John DeFrance offered to work with the contractor to see if any of the terra cotta material reclaimed from the demolition could be salvaged for use as pillars, which would stand anywhere from 3 feet high to shoulder height depending on the material available, he said. Those pillars could then be used if people wanted to eat at them.
“If there’s a possibility to do that it would be very well received,” he said.
Chuck Shasho, city deputy director of public works, also suggested a marker at the site explaining what was there previously.
Pictured: The building at 25 S. Phelps St., the former Public Market, which will be demolished.
Copyright 2014 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
CLICK HERE to subscribe to our free daily email headlines and to our twice-monthly print edition.