YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – City Council will consider entering into a new contract with a firm it had hired earlier this year to assist with redevelopment of the 20 Federal Place building when it meets next week.
If approved, the ordinance, which is on City Council’s agenda for next Wednesday’s meeting, would authorize the city’s Board of Control to expend up to $49,500 with Bricker Graydon LLP “to provide legal services for negotiations and documentation of financing mechanisms for redevelopment” of the city-owned building.
Earlier this year, the city approved a $25,000 contract with the firm, which has offices across Ohio.
In August, an assistant city law director told members of City Council’s community planning and economic development committee that the city had “agreed to amicably part ways” with Dallas-based Bluelofts Inc.
In late 2024, the city had entered into a memorandum of understanding with Bluelofts, the only respondent to the city’s request for proposals seeking a partner to redevelop the building.
The proposal Bluelofts submitted to the city called for developing 100 student, multifamily and penthouse units, ground-floor retail, e-commerce and mini-warehouse space, medical suites and a wellness hub in the building.