Youngstown OKs Agreement with Eastgate for Spring Common Project

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The city’s Board of Control approved a subrecipient grant agreement with Eastgate Regional Council of Governments on Thursday for work related to the Spring Common Park project funded by the state’s Wonderful Waterfronts Initiative.

Last year, the state awarded the city $3.89 million from the $500 million Appalachian Community Grant Program, which was established using federal America Rescue Plan funds. A total of $14.2 million was awarded for projects in Mahoning and Trumbull counties through the Wonderful Waterfronts program.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to have exposure to the river,” Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said. “It’s another piece of investing in our downtown.”

The agreement approved Thursday allows Eastgate Regional Council of Governments to reimburse the city for the expenses it is incurring and to pay contractors for the Spring Common Park work, said Charles Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works.

Eastgate, which applied for Appalachian Community Grant Program funds on behalf of projects in Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties in late 2023, is administering the grant funds. 

The project will involve improvements at Spring Common Park by the B&O Station Banquet Hall and the existing boat launch at West Avenue, as well as upgrades to the path connecting the two sites, according to Jim Murray, Appalachian Community Grant Program manager at Eastgate.

At Spring Common, improvements will include replacing the existing deck looking out on the Mahoning River; adding a small meeting area with a pergola; reconfiguring the parking area with lighting; improving the boat launch; and upgrading a prebuilt restroom and retaining wall, Murray said. At West Avenue, the boat launch will be upgraded as well to improve access, along with parking improvements. 

During the meeting, the board also approved paying CTX Inc., Spokane Valley, Wash., $96,813 for a fully accessible flush restroom for Spring Common Park. Bids for the Spring Common project were solicited starting Tuesday. Bids are due by noon Nov. 7.

Pictured at top: The deck looking out on the Mahoning River.