Mayor Seeks Federal Help for Youngstown Blight - WKBN


The U.S. military soon may help Youngstown demolish abandoned areas of the city.

Mayor John McNally said the city is requesting assistance from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovative Readiness Training program. The request would ask for personnel and equipment help to come into two areas of Youngstown to assist with demolition of abandoned houses and neighborhood blight.

The two areas would include a large part of Youngstown’s south side and an area of the city’s north side. If the city is granted the request, the personnel and equipment would be free.

The city will start working on the abandoned properties that would be included in the demolition.

“We are going to be working with YNDC, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. They’re going to have staff inventory those areas this summer so we’ll have a little bit of a head start as to what properties we want to come down,” McMally said.

At least two other cities are expected to apply for the same funds. McNally said he expects an answer by the end of the summer.

If Youngstown is selected, work would begin by 2016.

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