Land Bank Wins $3.5M to Clean Up 3 Brownfield Sites
Work Planned at Ytown Flea, McGuffey Mall, South Field House Locations
The Mahoning County Land Bank has secured nearly $3.5 million in grants from the Ohio Department of Development to clean up three brownfield sites in Youngstown.
“These grants will pay for costly environmental cleanup work and clear barriers to progress and development at these locations,” said Debora Flora, Executive Director of the Land Bank. “We’re very excited about the prospects of future activity at all three sites.”
The biggest grant, $2.7 million, will pay for work at the Youngstown Flea building at 365 E. Boardman Street on the eastern edge of downtown. Plans include the removal and disposal of asbestos and other contaminants, including an asbestos-laden glazing on the building’s windows.
Work Due at McGuffey Mall Site
An additional $561,000 is targeted to remove environmental contaminants at the East Side site where the McGuffey Mall once stood. The location, 735 N. Garland Ave., is now owned by the Western Reserve Port Authority, which believes it has high potential for industrial development.
“We are grateful to receive resources from the State of Ohio to support the cleanup efforts at the McGuffey/Garland site,” said Anthony Trevena, executive director of the Port Authority. “This crucial funding will enable us to prepare the site for redevelopment in the heart of Youngstown’s East Side.”
Another $225,000 was approved for the cleanup and demolition of the long-vacant South High Field House site at 1840 Erie St. Plans call for asbestos removal and the demolition of stadium bleachers, followed by drainage work. Valley Legends Stadium Consortium has plans for a 3,000-seat stadium and football field on the site, along with a track. The site will serve as Valley Christian Schools’ home turf, but residents will have access to the facilities as well.
The local grants were among $106.9 million approved across the state. Since the launch of the program, the state has awarded more than $450 million to support 374 projects in 83 counties.
About the Land Bank
The Mahoning County Land Bank is a nonprofit community improvement corporation dedicated to acquiring vacant, abandoned, tax-delinquent properties and making them productive again. The land bank assists local governments in assembling land for future projects and collaborates with civic, religious and nonprofit organizations to create new green spaces and community gardens.
# # #
Photo: A contaminated glazing on windows at the Youngstown Flea building, formerly owned by Northeast Fabricators, has been a barrier to its development.