YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Two new duplexes on Glenwood Avenue are available for rent through the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.
But that’s just the latest YNDC project along the Glenwood corridor.
“This is one of many projects, but the one that we’re cutting the ribbon on today,” said Ian Beniston, YNDC executive director, referring to the duplexes at 3017 and 3029 Glenwood. “We have some others down the street that are wrapping up. Others are just getting started.”
It’s the first phase of housing on that stretch, with three additional units planned. Those are expected to break ground this spring.
“We’ve been working on the Glenwood Corridor for well over a decade now,” Beniston said.
That endeavor started in the Idora Neighborhood where an active residents’ group worked with YNDC to board up abandoned houses and eliminate blight.
“And then we’ve continued to incrementally take steps to stabilize and revitalize,” Beniston said.
The site where the duplexes were built is an example, he said.
“This is a site, these five lots here, that have gone from having a number of blighted buildings and homes – clearing them out, greening the sites – and now … bringing back the potential of the sites by having housing that’s needed, high quality and attractive buildings like this,” Beniston said.
YNDC’s goal in continuing to work along the Glenwood Corridor is to incrementally revitalize it.
“This is not a standalone project, as I said. There’s a whole series of projects and work underway along Glenwood at varying stages,” he said.
The organization is wrapping up the first phase of single-family homes on Bernard Street, off of Glenwood, and the city is going to be repairing and replacing sidewalks along the road using American Rescue Plan funds. Another mixed-use development is underway, and ground will be broken in a few weeks on six single-family homes across from The Youngstown Playhouse. That’s in addition to YNDC’s continued renovation of vacant buildings and assistance to homeowners, Beniston explained.
“It’s part of an ongoing, sustained effort to really allow Glenwood to realize its full potential to revitalize,” he said.
YNCD acquired the vacant lots where the new duplexes sit from the Mahoning County Land Bank, and Joe Koch Construction built the homes.
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh’s Affordable Housing Program and Youngstown’s HOME program provided funding support, and PNC Bank served as YNDC’s partner and member bank for the FHLB application. PNC also provided construction financing for the project, which also received support from The Raymond John Wean Foundation; Councilwoman Anita Davis, 6th Ward; surrounding neighbors; and the Glenwood Neighbors Business Association.
Mayor Jamael Tito Brown thanked YNDC for the work. He said he recently attended a meeting with other mayors and housing was one of the topics discussed.
There’s a lack of supply of affordable, quality housing across the country, he said.
“All our partners that are here, we’ve got to continue – rinse, repeat and then do this again,” Brown said.
Local agencies have to pool resources to address the housing issue.
“As we continue to demo, now we’ve got to start building up,” the mayor said. “It’s all about development, so it’s time to build our backyards back up and build our communities …”
Debora Flora, executive director of the Mahoning County Land Bank, called Tuesday’s event a full-circle moment. They’ve done a lot of demolition work on the city’s South Side, and properties along Glenwood have been underutilized.
“That’s no more,” she said.
City officials recognize that demolition activity in the city is waning, Flora said.
“We’re shifting our resources toward this – toward homebuilding and neighborhood development and everything that takes us back to where we loved the Youngstown that we had once upon a time,” she said. “It gave us everything that we needed right where we wanted to be,” she said.
Ted Schmidt, PNC Bank regional president, said PNC believes that being part of the community is about more than just doing business.
“Strengthening and serving our communities is really at the heart of our business model,” he said. “Neighborhood revitalization like this, economic development and community service – we’re just glad to be part of it.”
Each 1,100-square-foot unit in the new structures includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area and in-unit laundry and boasts open-concept living. Each has covered and visitor parking. They’re available now, and rent is $750 per month with some income restrictions. Information is available at YNDC.org or by calling 330 480 0423.
YNDC is also working to transform the former Foster Theater building into a mixed-use space, with retail on the first floor and apartments on the second.
“We kind of crossed the finish line with financing, and then hit another couple hiccups where we have to redesign some things and perhaps reconfigure the project a little bit,” Beniston said.
A timeline isn’t definite.
“I can assure everyone there is going to be something positive done there in the near term,” he said.