Downtown Youngstown Photo Tour (Akron, Cortland: apartment, rent, luxury)

[ScranBarre]

Yes. Scranton and Youngstown are in many ways "twin cities." Both cities are at a fraction of their "heyday" populations (82,000 or so in Youngstown vs. 70,000 or so in Scranton), both cities have struggled to diversify their economies after the collapses of their primary industries in the 1950s-1970s, and both cities are striving to reinvent themselves as affordable satellite cities of other nearby larger metros (Youngstown is trying to ride the coattails of Cleveland and Pittsburgh, both of which are roughly 90-minutes or so away, while Scranton tries to lure in the New Yorkers, who are two hours away). Youngstown suffers a bit more because it is overshadowed by other nearby cities such as Akron, Cleveland, Canton, and Pittsburgh whereas Scranton is the largest city within a 90-mile radius or so around its boundaries. Youngstown serves as the "hub" for surrounding communities like Warren, Sharon, Boardman, Austintown, Niles, and New Castle while Scranton is the hub for surrounding communities like Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Carbondale, Pittston, Clarks Summit, and the Poconos.

Both cities are undertaking efforts to better integrate their college students into their communities, as well as hoping to lure new residents into their downtowns with new mixed-use projects. Both cities right now look to be neck-and-neck in terms of revitalization and recovery, but I think Scranton will soon zoom ahead when the commuter rail line is established between the city and NYC, which will only help to lure in more new transplants from NY/NJ seeking a better quality-of-life at a more affordable price.

Youngstown has a lot going for it, and I'd love to visit someday. You should come to Scranton in late-October for our first-ever "The Office" Convention downtown. The Office Convention, October 26-28 in Scranton, PA . That show (along with my big mouth) is helping to put our city back onto the map.

[boardmanite]

I think one of the big differences between Youngstown and Scranton (correct me if I'm wrong) is that Youngstown has quite a national reputation for crime whereas Scranton does not. Youngstown has been known as the murder capital of the USA, and has quite a history of organized crime and political corruption even as late as 2002 when US Rep Jim Trafficant was convicted of criminal charges and sent to prison. I think those factors hamper revitalization efforts in the city and cause outsiders to have a very negative opinion about Youngstown. (And don't even get me started on Ytown's "self-image"!)

So I'm guessing that Scranton will see a faster, more far-reaching comeback than Youngstown will. The proximity to NYC will most likely be the biggest contributing factor, especially if the commuter rail line is extended further into NE PA. However, I can't for the life of me understand why anyone would commute from PA to NYC!!! It's two freakin' states away! I have a friend who lives in Stroudsburg and commutes every morning to the UN building in Manhattan! Absolute insanity if you ask me Although, I probably would put up with the 2 hour commute just so I didn't have to live in New Jersey!

[Toto2]

Boardmanite, I love your photos of Youngstown. You captured much of the character and architectural detail of the older structures. We will be in Youngstown this coming Saturday, and I'm anxious to see those in person. I hope the city continues with its comeback. And count my vote in favor of keeping the trees in the median!

[boardmanite]

Originally Posted by Toto2

Boardmanite, I love your photos of Youngstown. You captured much of the character and architectural detail of the older structures. We will be in Youngstown this coming Saturday, and I'm anxious to see those in person. I hope the city continues with its comeback. And count my vote in favor of keeping the trees in the median!

I had completely forgotten about this thread! It kind of made me homesick looking at it

You will definitely have to tell us your impression of Youngstown and the surrounding area. I really enjoyed the three years I lived there. I eventually decided to move on, but Youngstown will always feel like home. Make sure you drive through Mill Creek Park. It's beautiful in all 4 seasons. I couldn't even tell you which one is my favorite. Also, if you're downtown, take a short drive up 5th Avenue to see all the old mansions.

By the way, does anyone know how the new Incubator building is coming along? I'd love to see the progress. Last time I saw it, it was basically a big pit.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by boardmanite

By the way, does anyone know how the new Incubator building is coming along? I'd love to see the progress. Last time I saw it, it was basically a big pit.

They have all the normal windows in. There is still a big, tarp-covered hole over a portion of the front. But I think that's because they are putting some special type of curtain-wall glazing system there, and it hasn't been delivered yet.

If you've been away that long, you probably haven't seen the renovation of the Davis building, (between the Draught House and State Theatre) or the opening of the new Rosetta Stone restaurant/cafe. (where the Rite Aid used to be) The Shout Youngstown blog has been covering these. (though he hasn't had an article about the Davis building renovation for awhile, now) i will shout youngstown

[boardmanite]

Originally Posted by JR_C

They have all the normal windows in. There is still a big, tarp-covered hole over a portion of the front. But I think that's because they are putting some special type of curtain-wall glazing system there, and it hasn't been delivered yet.

If you've been away that long, you probably haven't seen the renovation of the Davis building, (between the Draught House and State Theatre) or the opening of the new Rosetta Stone restaurant/cafe. (where the Rite Aid used to be) The Shout Youngstown blog has been covering these. (though he hasn't had an article about the Davis building renovation for awhile, now) i will shout youngstown

Thanks for the update. I can't even remember where the Rite Aid was... ???

Where is the Rosetta Stone at?

Glad to hear the progress downtown is continuing.

[JR_C]

Originally Posted by boardmanite

Thanks for the update. I can't even remember where the Rite Aid was... ???

Where is the Rosetta Stone at?

Glad to hear the progress downtown is continuing.

It's almost directly across the street from the Kress building, near the corner of Phelps and Federal.

[boardmanite]

Originally Posted by JR_C

It's almost directly across the street from the Kress building, near the corner of Phelps and Federal.

I checked out the pictures. It looks really, really cool. I'm gonna have to write to my friends back home and get them to try it out!

Go Youngstown!

[Traveler87]

Youngstown is such an underrated city. Such a great collection of art-deco buildings in great shape, a changing downtown, Federal Plaza was looking great last I was there. We went to the Chevorlet Centre which was very nice. Youngstown is changing, and people need to see that.

[boardmanite]

Originally Posted by Traveler87

Youngstown is such an underrated city. Such a great collection of art-deco buildings in great shape, a changing downtown, Federal Plaza was looking great last I was there. We went to the Chevorlet Centre which was very nice. Youngstown is changing, and people need to see that.

Downtown IS beautiful. It's just too bad there's not more foot traffic there. It'd be nice to see a sizable residential community Downtown. That would go a long way towards improving the area.