As Youngstown recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic with $ 88 million in new federal funding on deck, Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown shared his plans to help the city not only survive but flourish.
YOUNGSTOWN – Mayor Jamael Tito Brown shared his vision for Youngstown’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic during his speech to the state on Friday.
Brown discussed the city’s challenges, how people had to learn to be flexible and adapt to the pandemic, and where the city is now.
“We have so much more to do and we’ve come this far in such a short amount of time,” said Brown.
Brown highlighted some of the work done by the city departments over the past year and discussed further developments for Youngstown’s future.
THE PANDEMIC AND PUBLIC HEALTH
When the pandemic broke out, Brown said the city formed a COVID-19 team that was taking “brave and courageous” steps to limit the spread of the virus, including restricting access to city-owned buildings and engaging city workers to work from home if possible.
Brown said the Youngstown City Health District guided the city through the pandemic last year.
The health department declared racism as Public Health Crisis, promoted COVID-19 protective measures, provided PPE, and offered COVID-19 relief with gift cards and groceries.
On Sunday, it will be a year since the city reported its first COVID-19 death, Brown said.
Brown discussed work in other departments that continued with adjustments from the pandemic.
At the height of the pandemic last year, the Community Planning and Economic Development Department worked to educate businesses about available federal resources like the paycheck protection program and funding from the CARES act.
“We wanted to make sure those dollars were there for business,” and realize how “valuable they are to this community,” Brown said.
TRADE
The engineering department worked with partners in the community to advance several road construction projects for construction in 2021.
Brown said key projects include the SMART2 network, an intelligent transportation corridor that connects Mercy Health’s St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital to downtown Youngstown. a bike path from Mill Creek Park to downtown; and bridge removal and pavement rehabilitation work along Crescent Street.
Brown said the city has received $ 313 million in infrastructure investment from federal, state and local governments over the past three years.
The city is looking for suggestions 20 Bundesplatz an economic engine again, said Brown. A bowling alley in the basement, a food court and retail stores are planned for the seven-story building. The rest of the building could be a mix of offices and residential units.
Ronald Dwinnells, CEO of ONE Health Ohio, discussed plans for the Glenwood Health Center on the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Indianola Avenue.
The 18,000 square meter space offers medical, dental and behavioral health care as well as drug treatments, a pharmacy and laboratory tests.
The center will also look at social determinants of health in the region, such as: B. Food accessibility and exercise by having a walking path, communal kitchen, Glasshouse and more.
“I think it would be one of the first major sites to look directly at these social determinants,” said Dwinnells.
The estimated cost of the project is between $ 5 million and $ 7 million.
Dwinnells said construction plans were delayed due to the pandemic. ONE Health Ohio plans to begin construction by winter so the center can open next summer.
Read the City of Youngstown’s 2020 recap below. To view a full version, click the icon in the upper right corner:
PARKS AND RECREATION
Brown said the pandemic has affected youth and summer programs as well. Dawn Turnage, director of the parks and recreation department, was able to adjust the programs so that they could go on.
“They were smaller this year, but not in value or effect,” Brown said.
This year officials expect to improve the parks and play areas for children, he said.
Other plans include a youth development program to involve young people in the city in the development of the workforce at an early stage. Brown says there are opportunities for companies to get young men and women to work early.
Suzanne Barbati, President and CEO of OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Children’s Science and Technology Center also announced that the center will reopen at 9 a.m. on May 15 after it closed due to the pandemic.
Barbati said the center developed STEM SAKs, scientific activity kits for children that helped the center get through the pandemic.
Tickets will be Available online Pre-register since OH WOW! Will be open at 25 percent capacity due to COVID-19 security regulations.
YOUNG CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Mayor Brown said the city police department will focus more on community policing and restore community confidence in the police.
Brown hired the head of the Youngstown Police Department, Carl Davis in January – According to former boss Robin Lees retired -Because Davis is focused on this mission, Brown said.
YPD also received a US Department of Justice of $ 800,000 that is expected to pay more street officials who will primarily focus on community policing.
Brown said the city expects to provide officers with equipment this year Body cameras. Officials also plan to continue state-led efforts to get illegal weapons off the streets and fight for common gun laws across the state and across the country.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Brown said there needs to be an action plan to help Youngstown deal with the pandemic.
He said he would initially plan to work with social services and partners to identify barriers to poverty eradication. “I want to make sure we all come together” to eradicate poverty, he said.
The city is also working to offer vocational training programs for residents, said the mayor, that would give them better chances of earning livable wages.
As the city recovers from the pandemic, Brown wants the city not only to survive but to thrive.
“I want to make sure everyone [who] wants to be tested and wants to be vaccinated can do so, especially in the minority community, ”said Brown.
Brown said the spread of COVID-19 has highlighted the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations. Brown said he wanted to work to provide better quality health care.
Officials are also trying to expand broadband access across the city. With more residents now working from home or going to school, the pandemic has highlighted the differences in the digital divide, especially in urban communities, Brown said.
“We want to make sure we expand our broadband access when we have the opportunity,” said Brown.
Youngstown is expected to receive around $ 88 million under the US bailout plan, which can be spent through 2024. The city will receive the first half of the funding in May and the remainder in 2022.
The funds can be used for projects such as improving high-speed internet infrastructure.
“This is a legacy opportunity for Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley,” said Brown.
He said the city’s vision is to create a strategic comprehensive plan that will impact the community over the next 10 to 20 years. The plan will include contributions from citizens, city council, mayors and community partners.
“We all have a part in a plan,” said Brown. “It will be of vital importance for us to ensure that our children and grandchildren are involved in this opportunity for us.”
Brown said he plans to hire a designated compliance manager to ensure funds are spent appropriately in accordance with U.S. Treasury Department guidelines.
He said he wants to continue cleaning up ruined properties in the city and developing a new housing strategy to create high quality and affordable housing.
Other future plans include a full-scale grocery store to tackle food insecurities and child morale, and improve transit accessibility as more jobs are created in the city.
“There’s no rush to spend your money,” said Brown. “So a plan is the key to success and to making this an old opportunity.”
The Youngstown year in review for 2020 and Brown’s address for the state of the city can be found on the City website.
