Project/Partner Spotlight: 1034 Wick Avenue
Turning a Brownfield into a Bright Space with YWCA Mahoning Valley
Pictured above: The Land Bank removed this abandoned and pollutant-laden auto parts store through the state’s brownfield remediation program.
The Land Bank’s mission is simple: bring imagination, action and inspiration to the redevelopment of vacant and abandoned properties. We do this through state-funded grants and local partnerships that transform blighted sites into productive community spaces.
The Land Bank is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to neighborhood transformation. Through this new spotlight series, we’re highlighting not only recent projects, but also the partners who help complete the puzzle.
First up: the cleanup at 1034 Wick Avenue. The Land Bank recently demolished an abandoned auto parts store on the site to provide more green space and parking for tenants of the YWCA Mahoning Valley’s recently renovated multiplex next door.
This project was made possible through Ohio’s Brownfield Remediation Program, which has also supported Land Bank-led work at the former Royal China site in Sebring, the former Phar-Mor office building in Youngstown, the Youngstown Flea building in Youngstown and several other sites since its launch in 2022.
Leah Merritt, CEO of YWCA Mahoning Valley, and Maciek Adamczak, owner of Municipal Action Corporation, highlight the landscaping on the former site of a vacant auto parts store.
We spoke with Leah Merritt, CEO of YWCA Mahoning Valley, to learn how the Wick Avenue project is making a difference.
How will the YWCA’s newly renovated multiplex use the lot next door at 1034 Wick Avenue?
This space will serve three major functions. It will provide:
- A natural green space where tenants can relax and enjoy the outdoors.
- A future site for solar panels to help power the building.
- Additional tenant parking.
How else has the cleanup of 1034 Wick benefited its next-door neighbors?
The YWCA recently purchased and renovated the historic property at 3 Illinois Avenue, creating six affordable housing apartments at the corner of Wick and Illinois. The property’s potential was overshadowed by the abandoned auto parts store next door. The demolition of 1034 has opened up the area and improved the view from within the building as well as the street approach. The neighborhood has been opened up and blight mitigated. Tenants can now enjoy the view and feel assured that the prior toxic site has been environmentally and appropriately cleaned through abatement and demolition.
What has been the sentiment surrounding this project?
The YWCA is thrilled that the Land Bank took on this project. We are grateful for their work in securing funding, coordinating the demolition, and overseeing the landscaping. Watching the transformation take shape has been both exciting and inspiring.
What’s it like to partner with the Land Bank?
The Land Bank staff is so easy to work with — competent, dedicated leaders who are focused on improving the community. We began discussing this project in 2022, when the YWCA purchased the Illinois property. From funding applications to permitting, scheduling and landscaping, the Land Bank kept us engaged at every step and made sure our input was valued.
They brought in landscape contractor Maciek Adamczak, whose vision helped turn a vacant lot into a natural, welcoming space that looks like it has always been there. It has been a pleasure working with him to bring this project to life.
The cleaned up lot adds space for the tenants next door and will also accommodate solar panels and additional parking.