‘Dead Files’ to Film Scenes in Youngstown Saturday
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Travel Channel series “The Dead Files” will film scenes at sites in the city Saturday for an upcoming show.
On Thursday, the Board of Control approved a license agreement with the Travel Channel to film on the former Republic Rubber Co. property on Albert Street.
The series stars Steve DiSchiavi, a retired New York City homicide detective, and Amy Allan, a physical medium, who investigate paranormal phenomena around the country.
The show’s hosts previously investigated claims of paranormal activity at a house in Struthers.
Stephanie DePietro Sarcona, communications manager with the Travel Channel, confirmed the show’s presence in the area for an episode.
“We are indeed filming for an upcoming episode in the area. However to protect the integrity of the show and its filming process we cannot provide any additional details at this time,” she said in an email.
“They’re going into this private residence and investigate ghost sightings,” said Anthony Donofrio, deputy law director. “They want to film outside of the buildings on Albert Street.”
The Travel Channel has supplied the city with a $3 million certificate of liability insurance to film on the site, which is “pretty hazardous,” Donofrio said.
“There’s a lot of rubble and that sort of thing,” he said. “There are some pits. … There are openings that you can actually fall into. You’ve got to be very careful.”
The show will be filming at various private residences as well, he said.
The board also approved a gift agreement transferring the former Bottom Dollar Food site on Glenwood Avenue from Aldi Inc. to the city. Aldi closed Bottom Dollar Food locations after it purchased the chain last year.
The store was built on the site of a former city school that was donated by the city.
The city will put out a request for proposals for the site once it has control of the property, which is expected in the next few weeks, said T. Sharon Woodberry, director of community planning and economic development. The city will pay closing costs, which are not expected to exceed $5,000, she noted.
“We’re going to open up to any interested parties but we’re going to prioritize any interested grocers,” she said.
Although Bottom Dollar Food did not provide the city with specific numbers regarding performance, Woodberry said its numbers were the lowest among the three grocery stores it operated in the city. The chain also opened stores on Midlothian Boulevard and Mahoning Avenue.
The city had “initial discussions” with interested parties once the store closings were announced and the city said it intended to try to get control of the site, but nothing beyond those early talks has taken place, she said.
“It was a hit to the surrounding neighborhood when that grocery store was lost so that’s our priority,” she said. “But we will be looking at any other end users who are interested. Ultimately we want to make sure that building doesn’t sit there vacant, that it’s put into productive use.”
The board also approved an agreement to demolish the former Clarence Robinson Memorial Church and abate the site once its owner, Pettway Enterprises, transfers the property to the Mahoning County Land Reutilization Corp., better known as the Mahoning County Land Bank.
The land bank will then clear any remaining liens on the property, at the intersection of Oak Hill and West Chalmers avenues, and transfer it to the Oak Hill Collaborative. Oak Hill Collaborative, St. Patrick Church and Community Corrections Association Inc., will develop and maintain the site as green space, said Nicole Billec, assistant city law director.
The city will pay up to $10,000 for demolition and abatement of the site, $5,000 of which will be contributed by Oak Hill Collaborative and St. Patrick Church, she said.
Pictured: ‘The Dead Files’ Amy Allan (right) films at a Struthers house.
Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
