I'm rooting for my adopted hometown.
Jump in, let's take a ride down Wick Avenue from Federal Square. Go past the Doubletree hotel. The United States federal courthouse is on your right.
As you proceed up Wick, you’ll see a newly built student housing center on the left called the enclave. Next is the Public library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, it’s getting a $10 million facelift, or is it 20 million, it all runs together.
There’s something new I just passed a Chipotle on the left, anyone hungry? Continuing north, you see the building where we registered for classes at Youngstown State-the iconic Jones hall.
Next is one of the first new buildings of the late 70's- The Maag library. That’s the library I discovered the love of writing papers under the guidance of Professor Anita Gorman.
I am now passing the parking deck and the Stavitch family bridge leading to the parking deck. Yes, there is another bridge on Market.
This probably seems mundane, but you need to make the drive and see what has been created since the steel mills closed.
We're coming up is the McDonough museum of art. Next is the United States first Museum of American Art- The Butler.
A beautiful church is a stone's throw away from President Tressel‘s Youngstown state home. I wonder if he's home. Now back to the left another beautiful church it’s next to the Arms family museum.
Have you given any thought as to what is in our town, the list is endless.
Now hang a left, we’ll take the westbound service lane, and you’ll get a glimpse of a completely enclosed football field inside the Watts-Tressel physical education center. Who says there are no domed stadiums in Ohio. It is regularly the host for the horizon league indoor track and field competition. It allows the YSU football team to train indoors as well golf teams, gymnastics, track, and field and just walkers.
Stambaugh Stadium is just across the way don't miss, Cafaro house and Lyden house. Those buildings provide housing for athletes.
Will go west on Madison we're passing the Newman Center, I wondered where it was. Hello Newman.
Not too fast or you’ll miss the remarkable work being done on the entrance to Stambaugh Auditorium. This iconic building that has been the backdrop for countless events and its' now being redone.
Let's hit the gas as we go down fifth Avenue. There is a newly created Boulevard complete with high-end lighting and benches to relax, If you gaze upward, you can see the DeBartolo club high above the stadium. We used to do Penguin Playbook in that room, great view of the West side.
Across the street you’ll see the student recreation center, glance to your right, see the Covelli sports complex that's built for softball track and soccer. Think about the names, Covelli, Debartlo, Cafaro, Lyden. These families have given so much to the University.
We are passing the Fifth Avenue parking deck you can see the University edge student housing center to the West. Nearby is the Barnes and noble bookstore great store for YSU gear and books.
We are passing Smith Hall, not sure what goes on in there. There is the University police department. We're coming up on the county jail and sheriff's department; you can never have enough men and women in blue.
Hello Jerry Green.
Oh, here comes one of the the latest buildings, just dedicated-Kohli Hall The Excellence training center. They must do things right in there . It should be important to voltage Valley. Kohli Hall also houses Eastern Gateway Community College and Youngstown State University assets.
On your right there is the Purple Cat. I wonder if Viking is home. What a footprint they have made in this valley, they’re in the building once housed Twinkle Signs.
Dead ahead is the bus station, remember when they once painted that a awful green. Blue, looks much better. On the left is the fire department headquarters, have not had the pleasure of meeting the chief. Used to have Chief Oneil on the show alot.
Dead ahead can't miss the Mr. peanut bridge. That is the rust-colored red. leads directly to the refurbished B and O station. We are going to a wedding there next year. We used to have some good times at the B and O. I liked the Box Car Lounge.
We’re at the light now, time to take a left. On our right you will see the Mahoning Valley Tyler History Center ,newly remodeled with a large parking lot.
Just across the street is Premier Banks flagship building. I miss the name Home Savings, it was historic. Times change I guess, there is the Ford recital center, I saw Bob Dipirro and Kix Brooks their during a song writing show two years ago. It was also the last time I saw my good friend
Don Manning and his love Stephany. We both attending Elegy of a Green Beret, staring Colonel Scott Mann.
As you drive down tree line Federal Street you can’t help but notice the largest business incubator in the world it takes up the entire city block and helped start Turning Technology. The Trees have grown along Federal. Can't help but think of Scott Shulick and Sharon Letson from City Scape and all the work they did to beautify the city.
No too fast or you’ll miss the DeYor performing arts Center that’s where the Warner brothers got their start. Yep, in that very building. Bugs Bunny may have interned there.
Moving into the heart of the business district you see the newly remodeled Wells building. The Voinovich building, the Draft House, O’Donnell’s, Ryes, Imbibe, V Squared, the Whistle and Keg and the old State theater. Notice Silers Vogue, that has been sold. Where will Dan Yemma go for his hats now?
Just across the street is the newest downtown restaurant West 34th. Phelps which is adjacent has been remodeled and now all it needs is a roof for year-round events. There is the Avalon Gardens and the banking headquarters for First National and PNC.
We're back at Federal Square/ We’ve made a big loop and are now heading back to Boardman. We are passing Eastern Gateway College; Mercy Health headquarters is on the left. There is the former Youngstown club fully remodeled. On the left is the new headquarters for Penguin city beer. They are placing a $3 million bet on beer. Pretty good bet I guess as beer has become upscale. Remember when you could get a 50-cent draft at the Royal Oaks.
Wrapping up ,we didn’t include the Covelli center that has hosted Elton John, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Tim McGraw, and Carrie underwood. Oh, I forgot Bob Dylan, Kid Rock, Chicago, Meranda Lambert, John Fogarty and great years of the Steel Hounds Hockey team presented by Herb Washington, baseballs only designated runner. Oh, and who can forget Kelly the Ghost Pavlich defending his middle weight championship in that building. I even saw Mike Tyson there.
We forgot to mention the Youngstown foundation amphitheater housing the Jackie Robinson shotgun Shuba tribute statue. Herb Washington helped make that happen to along with Gregg Gulas. We also missed the Steel Museum and the iconic Mahoning County Courthouse.
As we drive back to Boardman, you realize Youngstown is much more than a few bars on Federal Street. The University has pushed their footprint so far that they are almost in the downtown.
If you haven’t gone downtown for a while, you may be surprised, property is in demand. Housing is quickly snapped up once offered.
If Youngstown State continues to expand and refurbish old buildings, we will have a reborn college town. It was Tom Humphreys who said, "Steel to Scholars". YSU attendance is down now but it will rebound under the watch of Jim Tressel. We need optimism is our life and Tressel brings that.
It was not that long ago when the Youngstown peace race was held downtown and all you could see we’re boarded store fronts. The Mayor apologized for the blight. I remember Mayor Ungaro, embarrassed by how the town looked. It has changed and he was a big help.
There are people to thank such as Jim Traficant. Jim agitated for the Covelli center which has been a catalyst for development.
Next on that list is the former mayor, Pat Ungaro. Pat formed a group called community improvement. He took ownership of the buildings, one of the first was the former dime store McCrory's. It is now the very successful "Oh Wow" Children’s Center.
After all this construction, one of our early buildings, the Strauss building is still the wildcard. Youngstown should revisit the offer from Developer Mark Marvin, or at least hear is ideas.
Marc is a Warren architect who has a tremendous track record involving redevelopment in the city of Warren. Other mayors that had vision include John McNally Jay Williams and George McKelvey.
Our current mayor Jamael Tito Brown oversaw the demolition of Wean United and the construction of the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater. A lot of the heavy lifting is done, and Youngstown now has curb appeal.
The wild card and possibly the icing on the cake is the potential of Lordstown motors and the purchase by Fox Con. If this creates as many jobs as we hope it will, there will be more population in our valley and that new group will need a place to recreate, thankfully Youngstown is prepared.
Dan Rivers
570 WKBN
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Forward
Rivers, Dan
Sun 10/17/2021 9:30 PM
To:
- Rivers, Dan
I'm rooting for my adopted hometown.
Jump in, let's take a ride down Wick Avenue from Federal Square. Go past the Doubletree hotel. The United States federal courthouse is on your right.
As you proceed up Wick, you’ll see a newly built student housing center on the left called the enclave. Next is the Public library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, it’s getting a $10 million facelift, or is it 20 million, it all runs together.
There’s something new I just passed a Chipotle on the left, anyone hungry? Continuing north, you see the building where we registered for classes at Youngstown State-the iconic Jones hall.
Next is one of the first new buildings of the late 70's- The Maag library. That’s the library I discovered the love of writing papers under the guidance of Professor Anita Gorman.
I am now passing the parking deck and the Stavitch family bridge leading to the parking deck. Yes, there is another bridge on Market.
This probably seems mundane, but you need to make the drive and see what has been created since the steel mills closed.
We're coming up is the McDonough museum of art. Next is the United States first Museum of American Art- The Butler.
A beautiful church is a stone's throw away from President Tressel‘s Youngstown state home. I wonder if he's home. Now back to the left another beautiful church it’s next to the Arms family museum.
Have you given any thought as to what is in our town, the list is endless.
Now hang a left, we’ll take the westbound service lane, and you’ll get a glimpse of a completely enclosed football field inside the Watts-Tressel physical education center. Who says there are no domed stadiums in Ohio. It is regularly the host for the horizon league indoor track and field competition. It allows the YSU football team to train indoors as well golf teams, gymnastics, track, and field and just walkers.
Stambaugh Stadium is just across the way don't miss, Cafaro house and Lyden house. Those buildings provide housing for athletes.
Will go west on Madison we're passing the Newman Center, I wondered where it was. Hello Newman.
Not too fast or you’ll miss the remarkable work being done on the entrance to Stambaugh Auditorium. This iconic building that has been the backdrop for countless events and its' now being redone.
Let's hit the gas as we go down fifth Avenue. There is a newly created Boulevard complete with high-end lighting and benches to relax, If you gaze upward, you can see the DeBartolo club high above the stadium. We used to do Penguin Playbook in that room, great view of the West side.
Across the street you’ll see the student recreation center, glance to your right, see the Covelli sports complex that's built for softball track and soccer. Think about the names, Covelli, Debartlo, Cafaro, Lyden. These families have given so much to the University.
We are passing the Fifth Avenue parking deck you can see the University edge student housing center to the West. Nearby is the Barnes and noble bookstore great store for YSU gear and books.
We are passing Smith Hall, not sure what goes on in there. There is the University police department. We're coming up on the county jail and sheriff's department; you can never have enough men and women in blue.
Hello Jerry Green.
Oh, here comes one of the the latest buildings, just dedicated-Kohli Hall The Excellence training center. They must do things right in there . It should be important to voltage Valley. Kohli Hall also houses Eastern Gateway Community College and Youngstown State University assets.
On your right there is the Purple Cat. I wonder if Viking is home. What a footprint they have made in this valley, they’re in the building once housed Twinkle Signs.
Dead ahead is the bus station, remember when they once painted that a awful green. Blue, looks much better. On the left is the fire department headquarters, have not had the pleasure of meeting the chief. Used to have Chief Oneil on the show alot.
Dead ahead can't miss the Mr. peanut bridge. That is the rust-colored red. leads directly to the refurbished B and O station. We are going to a wedding there next year. We used to have some good times at the B and O. I liked the Box Car Lounge.
We’re at the light now, time to take a left. On our right you will see the Mahoning Valley Tyler History Center ,newly remodeled with a large parking lot.
Just across the street is Premier Banks flagship building. I miss the name Home Savings, it was historic. Times change I guess, there is the Ford recital center, I saw Bob Dipirro and Kix Brooks their during a song writing show two years ago. It was also the last time I saw my good friend
Don Manning and his love Stephany. We both attending Elegy of a Green Beret, staring Colonel Scott Mann.
As you drive down tree line Federal Street you can’t help but notice the largest business incubator in the world it takes up the entire city block and helped start Turning Technology. The Trees have grown along Federal. Can't help but think of Scott Shulick and Sharon Letson from City Scape and all the work they did to beautify the city.
No too fast or you’ll miss the DeYor performing arts Center that’s where the Warner brothers got their start. Yep, in that very building. Bugs Bunny may have interned there.
Moving into the heart of the business district you see the newly remodeled Wells building. The Voinovich building, the Draft House, O’Donnell’s, Ryes, Imbibe, V Squared, the Whistle and Keg and the old State theater. Notice Silers Vogue, that has been sold. Where will Dan Yemma go for his hats now?
Just across the street is the newest downtown restaurant West 34th. Phelps which is adjacent has been remodeled and now all it needs is a roof for year-round events. There is the Avalon Gardens and the banking headquarters for First National and PNC.
We're back at Federal Square/ We’ve made a big loop and are now heading back to Boardman. We are passing Eastern Gateway College; Mercy Health headquarters is on the left. There is the former Youngstown club fully remodeled. On the left is the new headquarters for Penguin city beer. They are placing a $3 million bet on beer. Pretty good bet I guess as beer has become upscale. Remember when you could get a 50-cent draft at the Royal Oaks.
Wrapping up ,we didn’t include the Covelli center that has hosted Elton John, Rod Stewart, Lionel Richie, Tim McGraw, and Carrie underwood. Oh, I forgot Bob Dylan, Kid Rock, Chicago, Meranda Lambert, John Fogarty and great years of the Steel Hounds Hockey team presented by Herb Washington, baseballs only designated runner. Oh, and who can forget Kelly the Ghost Pavlich defending his middle weight championship in that building. I even saw Mike Tyson there.
We forgot to mention the Youngstown foundation amphitheater housing the Jackie Robinson shotgun Shuba tribute statue. Herb Washington helped make that happen to along with Gregg Gulas. We also missed the Steel Museum and the iconic Mahoning County Courthouse.
As we drive back to Boardman, you realize Youngstown is much more than a few bars on Federal Street. The University has pushed their footprint so far that they are almost in the downtown.
If you haven’t gone downtown for a while, you may be surprised, property is in demand. Housing is quickly snapped up once offered.
If Youngstown State continues to expand and refurbish old buildings, we will have a reborn college town. It was Tom Humphreys who said, "Steel to Scholars". YSU attendance is down now but it will rebound under the watch of Jim Tressel. We need optimism is our life and Tressel brings that.
It was not that long ago when the Youngstown peace race was held downtown and all you could see we’re boarded store fronts. The Mayor apologized for the blight. I remember Mayor Ungaro, embarrassed by how the town looked. It has changed and he was a big help.
There are people to thank such as Jim Traficant. Jim agitated for the Covelli center which has been a catalyst for development.
Next on that list is the former mayor, Pat Ungaro. Pat formed a group called community improvement. He took ownership of the buildings, one of the first was the former dime store McCrory's. It is now the very successful "Oh Wow" Children’s Center.
After all this construction, one of our early buildings, the Strauss building is still the wildcard. Youngstown should revisit the offer from Developer Mark Marvin, or at least hear is ideas.
Marc is a Warren architect who has a tremendous track record involving redevelopment in the city of Warren. Other mayors that had vision include John McNally Jay Williams and George McKelvey.
Our current mayor Jamael Tito Brown oversaw the demolition of Wean United and the construction of the Youngstown Foundation Amphitheater. A lot of the heavy lifting is done, and Youngstown now has curb appeal.
The wild card and possibly the icing on the cake is the potential of Lordstown motors and the purchase by Fox Con. If this creates as many jobs as we hope it will, there will be more population in our valley and that new group will need a place to recreate, thankfully Youngstown is prepared.
Dan Rivers
570 WKBN