Neighborhoods

South Side residents say they’re upset and frustrated about the condition of their neighborhoods and don’t believe the city is doing enough to help resolve the problems.

About 70 people attended Thursday’s meeting at the Oak Hill Collaborative, 507 Oak Hill Ave., to hear an overview of research done by the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp., the city’s planning agency.

It was the ninth public meeting the agency and city officials have had throughout Youngstown to obtain input on YNDC’s “Neighborhood Conditions Report.” The South Side neighborhoods discussed Thursday included Oak Hill, Uptown and Fosterville.

The area has seen the most population loss in Youngstown in the past two decades, has the city’s lowest median income, is above average for major crimes, and half of all of the properties are tax-delinquent, compared with one-third for the rest of the city, said Tom Hetrick, a YNDC neighborhood planner.

“It’s an extremely weak housing market” area, he said.

Two meetings are left, then YNDC will use the information it’s compiling for a report that will guide the city with its limited financial resources toward efforts to improve Youngstown, Hetrick said.

But several people at Thursday’s meeting said the city isn’t doing enough to save their South Side neighborhoods.

“I want more cops to be available,” said Lula Stubbins, a South Side resident. “People throw their trash into empty lots. They dump cement blocks and roofing materials there, too. People rent houses and don’t keep them up. I’ve called everyone at city hall for years, and nothing has happened. If we had a cop patrol every now and then, that would help.”

Others mentioned prostitution, illegal drug use, broken sidewalks, vacant houses and vandalism as problems.

Candy Tarpley said previous city plans didn’t address problems in some areas of the city, including large portions of the South Side.

“We’re not stupid,” she said. “We want a plan that’s all-inclusive. We’re disenfranchised here.”

In response, Hetrick said, “We don’t want this plan to sit on a shelf.”

Marvin Bankhead, a South Side resident, said residents need to “remain vigilant” when it comes to keeping an eye on illegal activities and calling the police.

“Everybody has to be accountable,” he said. “We all know the problems. I had hoped I’d hear more of the solutions.”

Elnora Sipp, president of the Four Square Block Watch on the South Side, said vacant lots are used to illegally dump tires.

“We’re all older people,” she said. “We get out and try to do what we can do, but we need help. Nobody’s doing anything about dumping.”

Most of the other meetings have lasted about an hour to 90 minutes. Thursday’s meeting was ended after close to two hours with people there still wanting to discuss the problems in their neighborhoods.

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

Bob Harrell thinks Youngstown is coming back.

But he realizes the need for new jobs in the area to incite a growth in the neighborhoods.

That was the top priority challenge he listed at the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation’s Crandall Park neighborhood meeting at the Jewish Community Center Tuesday evening.

About 30 people showed up to the meeting to give input to the YNDC on multiple North Side neighborhoods and to hear the “neighborhood conditions report” the YNDC put together. This was the 10th of 11 meetings hosted by the YNDC.

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

Bob Harrell thinks Youngstown is coming back.

But he realizes the need for new jobs in the area to incite growth in the neighborhoods. 

That was the top-priority challenge he listed at the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.’s Crandall Park neighborhood meeting at the Jewish Community Center Tuesday evening.

About 30 people attended the meeting to give input to the YNDC on multiple North Side neighborhoods and to hear the “neighborhood-conditions report” the YNDC had put together. This was the 10th of 11 meetings hosted by the YNDC.

“Unfortunately, I think the challenge we have mainly is bringing back jobs to Youngstown,” Harrell said. “It’s going to be hard to grow without having [economic development].”

A YNDC representative discussed population loss, population density, educational attainment, median income for a household, mortgages, foreclosures and Youngstown Police Department calls for service for the areas discussed at the meeting.

The area of Logan Way to Elm Street has seen a large loss of about 1,400 people from 1990 to 2010. But the area of Crandall Park North saw a loss of only about 400.

The area north of Crandall Park is considered a functional area, while the area south of Crandall is considered a tipping-point neighborhood.

YNDC asked those attending to provide a list of three top assets in their respective communities, three priorities in the neighborhood that need to be addressed and whatever else the YNDC needs to know.

Harrell noted Crandall Park, Youngstown State University and Wick Park are three assets of his North Side community. He has lived in Youngstown in the same house on Crandall Avenue for 50 years.

“We’ve pretty much seen everything,” Harrell said,

Like Harrell, Cossell Burton of Curry Place is always interested in the neighborhood.

“I love Youngstown so much,” Burton said. “Youngstown is my town. That’s why I am at tonight’s meeting.”

To her, the challenges she sees as priorities include housing and the need for jobs.

“That’s what makes things happen,” Burton said.

The final YNDC meeting, where some of the preliminary facts gathered from previous meetings will be presented, is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Covelli Centre in the community room.

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

A standing-room-only crowd attended the March 27 meeting at the Oak Hill Collaborative.

It was the ninth session sponsored by the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. Chris Davidson brings us the story.

About 70 South-side residents showed up to express their concerns to the YNDC. 12-year-old Kiara Bankhead attended the meeting.

KIARA BANKHEAD: I was listening to the people that were standing up. I was interested in what they were saying.

One of those people was her dad, Marvin Bankhead.

MARVIN BANKHEAD: My major concern is economic development. Once we start bringing in income that Youngstown used to, then all the concerns that were vented in that room will be addressed much more rapidly.

Those concerns include poor sidewalks, people using vacant lots as dumps, vandalism and vacant homes.

Frustrations boiled over at the meeting that was scheduled to run one hour but lasted for two. Residents say the city has forgotten their neighborhood. Here’s Candy Tarpley.

TARPLEY: Do better than that. You can do better with my money.

The Oak Hill Collaborative hosted the event. Director, Pat Kerrigan.

KERRIGAN: This was a very good turnout with a lot of enthusiastic people making some vigorous points that they were very much concerned about so I think the city administration will take notice that the people here do care, they do matter and they need to be listened to.

The next YNDC meeting is scheduled for April 1 at the Jewish Community Center will address the issues of Crandall Park/North side residents.

To hear the full story from The News Outlet, click here.

The Youngstown Development Corp. continues to receive feedback from residents at its neighborhood meetings.

One issue the city and the YNDC must come to grips with is in an aging population. Chris Davidson brings us the story.

Nineteen-year-old Nick Chretien hopes the city can offer him some incentives to buy a house.

CHRETIAN: If they can help you out, it’s a good thing if they can help you out.

The YSU student likes the West side/Cornersburg area.

CHRETIAN: The West side has a nice historic sense to it. It’s located in close proximity to Mill Creek Park.

At his young age, he’ll find many of his neighbors are older than 65. About 27 percent to be exact – if he chooses to live in Cornersburg.

And that’s a concern to Cornersburg/West side resident Marcia Haire- Ellis,

HAIRE-ELLIS: Neighbors on both sides of me have passed on

She’s worried her neighborhood won’t remain stable if young people don’t move in.

HAIRE-ELLIS: There was no thought to how do we market the neighborhood so that we can get people in to buy those homes and not leave them vacant.

She hopes the city and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. will address her concerns.

HAIRE-ELLIS: We want to make sure that we look at it as ‘How we going to transition these neighborhoods?’

In Fosterville and some sections of the North side, 29 percent of the residents are older than 65. That compares to a statewide rate of 14 percent and a U.S. rate of 13 percent.

YSU journalism professor Dave Davis specializes in gathering census and demographic data.

DAVIS: Those numbers are off the charts. When you have a quarter to a third of the people are 65 years old or older, and some may be much older than that, they’ll be in their 70s, their 80s possibly their 90s – That’s a huge thing.

Davis says during 2010-2012, Youngstown lost a higher percentage of residents than any other city in the U.S. with a population of 50,000 or more. That’s resulted in an older city.

DAVIS: This stark contrast between young and old, Mahoning County and Youngstown being quite old really has really increased and become quite pronounced.

YSU sociology professor Dan Van Dussen says gerontologists use an acronym to describe what’s happening in Youngstown.

VAN DUSSEN: One of the terms that we often use is ‘NORC’ – which is a naturally occurring retirement community.

He says cities with older populations should provide services so seniors can stay as independent as possible.

VAN DUSSEN: You wanna make it so that neighborhood allows people to stay in place, to age in place

And it’s not just the older citizens who are concerned about independence. Here’s Nick Chretian again.

CHRETIAN: As a young person you have to become more independent and you have to take all options into account.

Van Dussen says the YNDC is doing the right thing.

VAN DUSSEN: Talking about these issues, looking at these issues is the most important thing that you can do because then you have multiple people thinking about them, and that’s where the best solutions come from.

The YNDC holds its final meeting the first week of April, then after studying the information, the YNDC will release its revitalization proposals for targeted neighborhoods in stages.

To hear the full story from The News Outlet, click here.

Friday, March 28, 2014

On March 27th, over 20 participants attended the Bright Idea to Business Plan class hosted by YNDC and partner organizations.

Liberty Merrill of YNDC, Eric Barrett of The Ohio State University Extension, Mahoning County, and Tom Phibbs of the Common Wealth Kitchen Incubator presented on Mission, Values, Objectives and Goals. In addition, Danny Catullo of Catullo Prime Meats spoke about calculating profits and scaling small businesses. Students also participated in exercises meant to help them refine their business ideas and effecitvely communicate their plans.

The Bright Idea to Business Plan Class is designed to help new entrepreneurs create their business plans and design their new businesses. While the class is not currently accepting new participants, anyone who has the dream of starting a food-based business can contact Liberty Merrill at YNDC by phone at 330.480.0423 or via email at lmerrill@yndc.org to learn about small business resources in the Youngstown area.

Monday, March 31, 2014

On Saturday, March 29th, YNDC held a FREE comprehensive workshop for individuals interested in learning more about home ownership.

Eight residents participated in the 8-hour course held and YNDC, covering whether you are ready to buy a home, managing your money, understanding credit, obtaining a mortgage loan, shopping for a home, and protecting your investment. All participants who stayed for the entire workshop received a Pre-Purchase Education Certificate of Completion.

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. wrapped up its neighborhood meetings April 1 at the Jewish Community Center.

Residents seem optimistic about the future with the YNDC at the helm of neighborhood revitalization. Rick Pollo has the story.

About 30 residents of the city’s North side came out for YNDC’s final neighborhood meeting. Despite heavy population loss along the neighborhoods north of Crandall Park and just south of Gypsy Lane, residents like Mary Ann O’Neal, feel happy and safe.

O’NEAL: But we’re still not afraid to walk our dog at night. I’m still not afraid to put furniture out on the porch all year long really. No one touches anything, I feel safe.

O’Neal says the YNDC has played a crucial role in the city’s renewal.

O’NEAL: I believe they have a goal in mind and I’m hoping that they’re going to really stick to it, and I think the area’s picking up just because of that.

Resident Mary Hartwig says the YNDC can expand on the North side’s resources.

HARTWIG: We have beautiful parks right in our neighborhood, the Wick Park and Crandall Park. The bus route – Fifth Avenue, Elm Street – can get us to any part of the city, and that’s a big asset for people who can’t drive or can’t get around.

O’Neal cites one problem.

O’NEAL: Every time a home is demolished on a street, you have an empty blank spot. No one wants to buy next to it. Sales prices of our homes have gone down every time there’s an empty home.

Hartwig says they try to improve upon the vacant lots.

HARTWIG: Beautify it with a garden or some flowers or trees, things like that.

The YNDC will have its final meeting covering the entire city at the Covelli Centre on April 8.

To hear the full story from The News Outlet, click here.

During the past decades, Youngstown’s decreasing population has resulted in an older city.

Chris Davidson brings us the story of change and opportunity.

The City of Youngstown faces some major challenges in the coming years.

DAVE DAVIS: The city officials have to somehow figure out how to help these very large numbers of older folks, and do it on a declining budget.

That’s Dave Davis. He’s a YSU journalism professor, who specializes in gathering demographic and census data. His research shows that some sections of the city have about twice the population of 65 and older than the national average.

DAVIS: Those people need services. They are isolated a little bit as they get older. They may not be able to drive – at some point they won’t be able to drive. They are going to need help getting to doctor’s appointments. They are going to need help getting nutritious meals. They are going to need help getting out of the house, so they are basically not homebound.

Dave Mirkin helps the people Davis is talking about. He operates the Comfort Keepers Franchise in Youngstown.

MIRKIN: Unfortunately, the children of a lot of these seniors have had to move away to find work. So we have a large number who actually don’t have their family here to help them do things that normally family would do for them.

His organization handles non-medical home care, including companionship and light housekeeping. Mirkin didn’t want to tell us by how much his business has grown over the past few years, but did tell us his company is one of the Top 10 revenue-producing Comfort Keeper franchises in the world. It is one of nearly 700 franchises.

MIRKIN: It’s a great honor for us, but it also shows you the amount of seniors and the need in this Mahoning Valley.

On a much smaller scale, the Idora neighborhood seniors get some help from a local volunteer.

“BIG JIM” LONDON: They call me “Big Jim” London. I am the Idora Neighborhood Association president and I am the Idora 4-H advisor and I am the Idora Block Watch captain.

Dave Davis, a YSU journalism professor specializing in gathering demographic and census data, said Youngstown has a higher percentage of population 65 and older than the national average. Chris Davidson/TheNewsOutlet.org

Dave Davis, a YSU journalism professor specializing in gathering demographic and census data, said Youngstown has a higher percentage of population 65 and older than the national average. Chris Davidson/TheNewsOutlet.org

London recruited children from the neighborhood to join his 4-H group.

LONDON: It’s the seniors coming together with the children and showing the kids that the elderly people that you are running through their yards and you don’t care –they are a person and they have stories to tell. They were kids, too, and they are willing to talk about that stuff and help mentor the kids. That’s what that program’s about – teaching kids.

London and his 4-H group help senior citizens with yard work at discounted prices.

Dan Van Dussen, YSU Professor of Gerontology, foresees growth for businesses, both big and small, that cater to the senior population.

VAN DUSSEN: Businesses who understand the needs of the senior population and therefore can provide solutions to help then stay as independent as possible, and have opportunities for meaningful socialization, meaningful activities, meaningful connections to their populations.

Van Dussen says the city and the residents need to view the older population not as a problem but as an asset.

VAN DUSSEN: Opportunities for growth, for rebirth – because oftentimes the older adults are stable influences in those the neighborhoods. So, you can look at them almost as the roots that the rest of the neighborhood can grow and regenerate.

He says local businesses that keep senior citizens in mind will increase their odds of being successful.

To read the full story from The News Outlet, click here.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

YNDC is pleased to present a new schedule of classes for April through July to be held in the HMHP Foundation Demonstration Kitchen.

Urban farming classes will be held on Tuesday Evenings, and cooking classes will be held on Friday evenings. All classes are FREE, and will be held from 6:00-8:00pm at 822 Billingsgate Avenue.

The first class will be held April 4, and will be sponsored by Soul Food Sensations, a new restaurant in the Idora Neighborhood. Restaurant staff will cook a delicious and healthy soul food meal. Other cooking classes will include vegetarian sushi, summer dinners, and healthy homemade desserts.

Urban Farming topics will include fruit tree pruning and care, growing mushrooms, and beekeeping. For questions or to RSVP, contact Sophia Buggs at 330.480.0423 or via email at sbuggs@yndc.org.