Downtown Youngstown Buildings to Begin Reopening

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Fire Chief Barry Finley on Monday declared the Realty Tower demolition progress sufficient for surrounding buildings to reopen in phases.

“We can see the light at the end of the tunnel following the tragic events of May 28,” Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said in a news release. “Our community can begin the healing process to move forward together. Now is the time to think big about how we come back more resilient and more vibrant than ever before. In the coming weeks we’ll announce more plans and events to bring people back, celebrate our city, and begin the hard work of planning for our successful future.”

The release says building management at the Stambaugh Building and International Towers were notified Monday of the following schedule:

• Effective immediately, the Stambaugh Building, 44 E. Federal St., can reopen.

• On Wednesday, International Towers, 25 Market St., can reopen pending the removal of demolition debris currently blocking the building’s fire escape. The building’s property management, Millennia Housing Management, will communicate the exact dates and process for residents to start coming back home.

• The east side of Market Street and East Federal Street between Market and Champion will remain closed until debris removal is complete.

International Towers residents were evacuated from their homes in mid-June following the May 28 gas explosion at the Realty Tower, which is located next to it. 

The Stambaugh Building, across Federal Street from Realty, has been closed since the explosion.

Pictured at top: The demolition of Realty Tower continued Monday. At right is the International Towers.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.