SitemapFor the most part, Osborn Avenue residents take care of their neighborhoods, but a few habitually leave trash out for days, which encourages mainly kids to litter.
That was the assessment one woman gave when describing her top neighborhood concerns during a Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. public meeting Thursday at New Covenant Church of the Nazarene, 1900 Canfield Road in the city’s Cornersburg section.
The one-hour session, which focused mainly on Youngstown’s southwest section, including Cornersburg, was the third of nine such YNDC gatherings throughout the city to gather residents’ concerns, positive assessments, input, feedback and priorities for what they feel is most crucial for neighborhood development and stabilization.
Their input and ideas are to be used to develop citywide strategies for further neighborhood improvements against a backdrop of limited financial resources for the city, noted Jack Daugherty, YNDC’s program coordinator.
The woman who asked that her name not be used also recalled a home across the street from hers in which suspected drug activity took place. She became frustrated when told on two occasions that nothing could be done, she said.
Daugherty pointed to several demographics regarding the city’s southwest corner, noting that it’s seen a smaller population decline between 1990 and 2012 than most other parts of Youngstown.
The area also has a relatively high median income, stable property and home ownership, a strong housing market and relatively low crime, he noted. In addition, it has a higher percentage of older residents, he continued.
Daugherty also pointed to a trend that has plagued the city for years, in which having too few homebuyers results in slow sales, leading to decreased property values and higher rates of abandonment.
During Thursday’s session, one woman complained that a neighbor chronically neglects his yard. A 29-year resident said several water and sanitary pipes near her home need to be replaced.
The majority of complaints city officials receive are related to everyday quality-of-life issues, noted Mayor John A. McNally.
People with such concerns can send emails to the mayor’s office at mayormcnally@cityofyoungstownoh.com, he said.
“Stay involved; we need your input. We’re interested in action,” Daugherty said in response to one woman who asked how she can work with YNDC.
The next meeting is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday at Price Memorial AME Zion Church, 920 Dryden Ave. on the East Side.
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