YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – While inspectors and engineers worked outside a badly damaged real estate building in Youngstown on Friday, a business on the other side of Central Square was facing another challenge.
This time, it's the reconstruction of W. Federal Street in front of Avalon Downtown Pizzeria and the OH WOW! Children's Museum.
“We want people to know that Downtown and OH WOW! are open,” said Colleen Ruby with the museum. “We have parking spaces further down West Federal Street.”
Board members and neighbouring property owners acknowledge that ongoing road construction is affecting their income, with the recent explosion at Realty Tower coming as an added blow.
“I've had customers literally yelling at me, and I understand their frustration because I'm more frustrated than they are,” said Ana Massullo Sabella of Avalon Downtown.
Sabella said business has struggled since the explosion, but he's even more worried about construction to add a new median strip in front of his house, which he says is too narrow for large trucks to pass through.
“The problem is that we don't have roads that are functional and serve the needs of businesses,” she said. “These roads are really dysfunctional.”
Mayor Tito Brown on Thursday urged city and suburban residents to support downtown businesses that have weathered coronavirus lockdowns, road closures due to construction and now this crisis.
“Now, five years later, I say this,” Brown said, “and I really feel for the downtown business owners because they have continued to support us.”
For now, at least some are trying to remain optimistic.
“Please come along,” Ruby said, “park your car on West Federal Street next to the restaurant, grab something to eat, and come hang out!”
The work is scheduled to be completed by mid-July.
