Neighborhoods

Benjamin Naatz is a Grass Cutting and Clean Up Team Member for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Benjamin collaborates with a team of professional and labor staff in the implementation of large scale grass cutting and clean up of vacant homes, boarding of vacant housing, vacant lot management, basic construction, and other field and maintenance projects to improve the quality of life in strategic Youngstown neighborhoods.

The Mahoning County Land Bank laid the foundation for its shift toward new development in 2024 with the demolition of more than 300 houses and the clearing of abandoned commercial brownfields and residential sites.  One major achievement was the cleanup of the long-contaminated former Royal China factory in Sebring. The 20-acre site had been dormant since the 1980s, when the dinnerware producer closed the plant after 80 years of operation.

The two-year cleanup project included the delivery of 1,800 truckloads of clean soil to replace or encapsulate dirt riddled with lead and other contaminants. Much of the funding came from a $1.5 million state grant. The property owner, Michael Conny, owner of MAC Trailer in Alliance, will soon be eligible to apply for regulatory clearance to market the site.  The Land Bank recently secured nearly $3.5 million in grants from the Ohio Department of Development to clean up three brownfield sites in Youngstown, including the Youngstown Flea building, the site of the former McGuffey Mall and the asbestos-ridden South High Field House.

“These grants will pay for costly environmental cleanup work and clear barriers to progress and development at these locations,” says Debora Flora, executive director of the Land Bank.  In addition to commercial redevelopment, the Land Bank is increasing its inventory of buildable lots, setting the stage for its collaborative efforts with local partners to build new homes.

Of the 300-plus demolitions, nearly all were houses and residential multiplexes in Youngstown, with several in Campbell. The Land Bank has arranged more than 500 demolitions countywide over the past two years with the support of a $6.8 million state grant.  “We’re glad to be on the other end of the majority of the demolition work,” Flora says, “and we have a lot of exciting plans and partnerships working toward making spaces productive again.”

Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. is building six three-bedroom homes on lots the Land Bank acquired years ago through foreclosures on Mineral Springs Avenue in Youngstown’s Idora neighborhood. The work is financed by a state grant.

To read the full story from the Business Journal, click here. 

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) has more money now to help fix and repair homes area. Executives with Premier Bank presented a check Wednesday for $25,000 to directors of YNDC.

The money will be used to pay for much-needed improvements for existing houses. Up Next - Exit light, enter South Range HS marching band Because the housing stock is just so old and unstable if a child is in a home like that, it’s truly is a social detriment of health. We want to make sure they are safe,” said Ky Pegues, with Premier Bank.

Premier is one of a number of local banking institutions that have made contributions to the YNDC.

To read the full story from WKBN, click here. 

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) has more money now to help fix and repair homes area. Executives with Premier Bank presented a check Wednesday for $25,000 to directors of YNDC The money will be used to pay for much-needed improvements for existing houses.

To read the full story from WYTV, click here.  

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

On February 12, 2025, YNDC and project partners celebrated the completion of phase one of the Bernard Street revitalization project and the start of phase two with a groundbreaking. Phase one of the project included: the assembly of land on the street; clearing of more than 500 cubic yards of debris; installation of new infrastructure: sidewalks, curbing, street paving, and other infrastructure; completion of home repair for existing property owners; construction and sale of three new homes; and preparation of three additional lots. Phase two will include the construction of three additional homes. The homes will be completed in early summer 2025.

The project is made possible through funding support from the City of Youngstown including the HOME Investment Partnership and First Ward American Rescue Plan funding. PNC Bank provided construction financing for phase one and Premier Bank for phase two. The vacant lots were assembled by and acquired from the Mahoning County Land Bank. The builder for both phases is Joe Koch Construction. The project also received support from The Raymond John Wean Foundation, City of Youngstown, and the Glenwood Neighbors Business Association. 
 

Premier Bank on Wednesday presented a $25,000 check to the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.  The YNDC will use the funds for its Essential Home Repair program.

To read the full story  from The Business Journal, click here. 

The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) has been awarded a $25,000 check from Premier Bank on Wednesday.  The funds from the check will be used for YNDC's Essential Home Repair Program, which provides low-income homeowners in Mahoning County with necessary home repairs free of charge.

To read the full story from WFMJ, click here.

Two years ago, a single-block street on the east side of Mill Creek Park, just off Glenwood Avenue, was closed to traffic, most of it overcome by brush and weeds.  Bernard Street, as it was then named, was also consumed with debris, and at one time became a refuge for errant dumping.  “It was overgrown. There wasn’t much here,” said Ian Beniston, executive director of Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation.

To read the full story from The Business Journal, click here.

A major makeover is taking another step forward on Youngstown’s South Side.  Wednesday morning, the ground was broken on phase two of the Bernard Street Project. This is off Glenwood Avenue, just three blocks south of Interstate 680.  The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation has already built three new homes in the area, and now, crews are getting started on three more.

To read the full story from WKBN, click here.
 

What was recently a desolate, debris-strewn, deserted and neglected two-block street closed to traffic now represents what city leaders and many other stakeholders hope will be symbolic of the city’s continued regrowth and rebirth.  “I’m never getting tired of this — never, never,” Deb Flora, the Mahoning County Land Bank’s executive director, said. “This is the result of tenacity, the spirit of collaboration and hope.”

Flora was referring to the completion of the first phase and start of the second phase of the Bernard Street revitalization project, for which an outdoor news conference and groundbreaking ceremony took place Wednesday morning on the South Side road (recently renamed Cliff View Street) off Glenwood Avenue on the South Side.

The land bank, Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. and other project partners gathered to celebrate the completion of three homes on Cliff View Avenue and the start of three more to be constructed, all of which will be on the same side and have an elevated, bird’s-eye view of downtown Youngstown and beyond.

To read the full story from The Vindicator, click here.