What's Happening in Youngstown, OH…

Crandall Park residents, who live in a neighborhood on Youngstown's upper north side, recently got together with city officials, volunteers and neighbors, to figure out a way to make their area a better place.

A public meeting was held on October 14, and dozens of people showed up to discuss an action plan that had been devised for the neighborhood.

The plan identified three areas of concern: property and housing; infrastructure; and crime. First up was property and housing, and the issues that surround them, including littering and vacant structures.

Issues relating to infrastructure pertain to the repair and maintenance of the now-existing infrastructure, to include sidewalks, streets, and street lights. Crime was also identified as an area of concern.

The plan identified 25 properties that are to be either demolished, or brought into compliance with the housing code, depending on how close they are to Harding Elementary School. An additional 23 properties are to be boarded up and cleaned up, and 20 high crime ‘hot spots’ are listed.

Early in 2014, a series of meetings identified the areas of concern to residents and, using their input, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation devised the goals discussed above. Now, the neighborhood can form an action team to help implement them.

Neighborhood leaders could work with a flyer printing company to create a handout for residents summarizing the plan's goals and asking for help forming the team.