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Streetscape Beautification Program Expands to Corridors
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The Streetscape beautification program will expand its borders beyond downtown this year, branching out along key arteries leading into the city's central business district.The planting and cleanup program, now in its eighth year, will hold its annual planting June 4 beginning at 8 a.m., reports Claire Maluso, Federal Plaza director. In addition to the downtown, volunteers from area businesses and organizations will be invited to work on the Wick, Madison and South avenue corridors as well as other areas, including the John Young Memorial. "Our thing this year is to branch out to all the corridors," she said. The expansion is taking place with the assistance of Youngstown CityScape, a not-for-profit organization established last year as an outgrowth of the successful Streetscape program. Scott Schulick, Streetscape chairman, said expanding the program has been a goal of the committee for several years. If the corridors leading into downtown aren't attractive then it will discourage people from coming downtown. He said the Streetscape committee will work with organizations that are already active in efforts to improve the corridors "These things won't happen over night but we'll just hit one target at a time," he said. One of the features of this year's program will be the addition of new planters in the downtown area, which Maluso said are being funded through a $15,000 grant. The new planters will serve a dual purpose. The planters, in addition to bearing the various flowers, shrubs and other fauna that will be potted, will be placed throughout the area to prevent vehicles from driving onto the newly remodeled square. "We're eventually going to add benches and things," Maluso said. The planters previously located on the plaza have been placed in other areas of the city.This year's program also will mark the return of the Men's Garden Club of Youngstown, whose members for several years volunteered in past downtown planting and beautification, Maluso said. The organization is marking its 75th anniversary this year. In addition, she said downtown lighting will be expanded to other areas, including the John Young Memorial, though her separate lighting committee.During the annual solicitation that begins today, Schulick said the Streetscape committee hopes to raise at least $20,000 for plants. "It's basically through the generosity of businesses and individuals over the years that we've been able to expand little by little," he said. Hopefully, the organization has a good enough track record that people know the committee will do what it says it is going to do and that will encourage people to contribute more, he added. "