Neighborhoods

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

At its February 10th meeting, the Youngstown City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a resolution of support for the City of Youngstown's application to ODOT's Safe Routes to School program.

The program funds infrastructure improvements around schools to make walking and biking safer for students. Infrastructure recommendations for the area around Taft Elementary School were developed by a team from the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, the City of Youngstown, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, the Youngstown City School District, parents, students, crossing guards, and neighborhood residents. The application for funding is due by the March 2. A copy of the ODOT-approved School Travel Plan can be found here.

Friday, February 13, 2015

On Thursday, February 12th, Brownlee Woods Neighborhood Action Team met to review the Neighborhood Action Plan and begin work on implementation.

Addressing the priority properties through demolition and code enforcement was a key topic discussed at the meeting. Other topics of discussion included possible tree planting locations, the upcoming cleanup project for Sheridan Boulevard, planned street resurfacing projects lined up for 2015, sidewalk improvements, and strategies for educating and engaging Brownlee Woods residents in the code enforcement process. The Brownlee Woods Neighborhood Action Plan is available for download here.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Iron Roots Urban Farm is pleased to present our Spring 2015 cooking and farming class schedules!

The classes are designed to work with families, local growers, and community cooks to help foster a healthier and more sustainable community. All classes are FREE to attend and will be held in the YNDC Demonstration Kitchen located at 822 Billingsgate Avenue. Farm tours will be held throughout the region - transportation is provided as needed and will depart from the Demonstration Kitchen 45 minutes prior to tour. An RSVP for all classes is strongly recommended. Please contact Michael Long at 330.480.0423 or mlong@yndc.org to pre-register.

Monday, February 16, 2015

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation and Ohio State University Extension - Mahoning County are pleased to present a FREE intensive business planning course geared to help those starting all types of small businesses in the city of Youngstown.

Participants will leave the class with a business plan outline as well as resources to refine your plan and apply for financing if necessary—including a special YNDC financing opportunity! Financial and credit counselling is also available and highly recommended to help you prepare for business success. While the classes are FREE, participants should commit to attending the entire series. All classes will be held at Iron Roots Urban Farm, in the YNDC Demonstration Kitchen located at 822 Billingsgate Avenue, from 6-9PM. Please contact Liberty Merrill at YNDC to fill out an application - an application is required for this program. She can be reached at (330)480-0423 or via email at lmerrill@yndc.org.

Roads have been resurfaced and blighted buildings have been demolished in the first few months of a ten year plan to revitalize the Route 422 Corridor that runs through Youngstown and Girard.

The organizations behind the project have issued a report highlighting the 2014 accomplishments which include the creation of an urban farm, securing funding for a Mahoning River boat launch and a Liberty Park pedestrian bridge.

The revitalization plan, unveiled last spring, focuses on a master plan on how too improve the three mile stretch of Route 422 from Girard to Youngstown.

The plan targets five key themes: improving the look of 422, identifying areas for new industrial development, supporting local businesses, stabilizing residential areas and improving natural areas for parks and trails.

The plan itself will be used to solicit state and federal grants and other funding to help pay for the proposed recommendations.

The progress report contains the following details:

Demolition of several structures on Belgrade, Dearborn, Davis and Howard Street.

Elimination of vacant houses in Brier Hill

Building an urban farm that will be operated by a resident family.

Resurfacing more than 5,000 feet of roads in Girard.

$20,000 for new recreational equipment in Stambaugh Park in Girard.

The corridor that has already received more than $1 billion in industrial investment over the past five years.

More information about the corridor project may be found by following this link.

To see the full story from WKBN, click here.

The project to develop industry and stabilize neighborhoods along a stretch of U.S. Route 422 between Girard and Youngstown has been making progress since it was announced in 2014, according to a recently released report and officials involved in making the improvements.

To read the full story from the Tribune Chronicle, click here.

There’s been some progress with redevelopment of the U.S. Route 422 corridor, according to the 2014 progress report from the Trumbull County commissioners, the Youngstown Neighborhood Redevelopment Corp. and the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

“It’s pretty exciting to look back and see how much the stakeholders have accomplished in such a short amount of time,” said John Rossi, foundation president of the chamber, and who is among those leading the 422 Corridor initiative. “We are going into 2015 with a lot of momentum on which we can build.”

Multiple structures on Belgrade Avenue and Dearborn, Davis and Howard streets were demolished. Girard City Council established commercial-property and vacant-property maintenance code standards and updated zoning ordinances. In November 2014, the YNDC and city of Youngstown updated 17 vacant homes in the Brier Hill neighborhood. A community neighborhood cleanup is being planned for spring.

According to the report, the Parkwood neighborhood sidewalk improvements are scheduled for 2015 through the Community Development Block Grant Neighborhood Revitalization Program, and the Appalachian Regional Commission is scheduled to fund waterline improvements.

Further, a grant request exceeding $68,000 was submitted for the construction of a Mahoning River boat launch with parking and access near River and Front streets. Girard also is pursuing measures to initiate large improvements at the waste-treatment plant in the corridor.

To read the full story at Vindy.com, click here.

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. will offer a free, intensive business-planning course geared to assist those starting all types of small businesses in the city.

Classes will be held at Iron Roots Urban Farm, in the YNDC Demonstration Kitchen at 822 Billingsgate Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. beginning March 17 and continuing through April 28. Participants will leave the class with a business plan outline as well as resources to refine business plans and apply for financing if necessary, YNDC says. Financial and credit counseling is also available and “highly recommended.”

While the classes are free, participants should commit to attending the entire series. Prospective students are asked to contact YNDC to fill out an application.

In addition to classes, YNDC has loan funds available for startup or existing businesses with five or fewer full-time employees (one of whom is the owner). Loans may range from $1,000 up to $10,000 with favorable and flexible repayment terms.

The owner of the proposed business owner must reside in Youngstown and the business must operate in the city. There are income guidelines for this program, and the business owner must complete credit counseling before applying for a loan.

The mission of the program is to promote self-employment, small-scale business creation and economic independence in city neighborhoods.

Program partners include The Ohio State University Extension-Mahoning County, Ohio Small Business Development Center at Youngstown State University, the city of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation. Funding support comes from the Ohio Community Development Corporation Association.

For more information, Liberty Merrill at YNDC by phone at 330 480 0423 or via email. A one-on-one meeting can be arranged to discuss YNDC programs and services and details of both business classes and the loan program, and to fill out application materials.

To read the full story from the Business Journal, click here.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

The first meeting of the Crandall Park Neighborhood Action team was held on Tuesday, February 17th, and included residents, neighborhood group representatives, city officials, YNDC, and the Mahoning County Land Bank.

Key topics of discussion at this initial meeting included addressing priority properties for code enforcement and demolition, street resurfacing improvements planned for this year, strategies and potential funding opportunities for making improvements to Crandall Park, and planning for a neighborhood cleanup in May. Please click here to view the Crandall Park Neighborhood Action plan via the YNDC website.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

From Monday, February 16th to Thursday, February 19th, members of the YNDC team presented at three YSU classes including: Urban Sociology, Non-profit Leadership Seminar, and Social Work.

YNDC currently has three YSU interns and works regularly with student groups to volunteer in the fight against blight. If you are a YSU student and interested in an internship with YNDC, please contact us via info@yndc.org. REVITALIZE.