Downtown Youngstown marketing campaign to attract more developme - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Youngstown's downtown is experiencing growth that it hasn't seen in decades.

And now new signs will welcome visitors to the downtown and a new ad campaign is encouraging even more development.

Business owner and Youngstown activist Phil Kidd says, "We're seeing the most activity and investment the downtown has seen in many, many years. And I think now it's starting to get to the point where it's becoming exponential, there's a race for development, for activity, things like that."

Annie Gillam, a member of Youngstown City Council, tells 21 News, "The way I see it, we're the urban core and we need to bring back our urban locations. Cities are coming back all over the country, and it's the place where people want to be. When you go to the entertainment districts you can park your car and walk."

Along with the new welcome signs, a project that began with a partnership between the city, Youngstown CityScape, and the Raymond John Wean Foundation's Neighborhood Grant Program, city leaders have also approved spending $18,000 dollar for TV ads. It's part of an aggressive downtown marketing campaign to attract even more development.

"You're going to see development in the Wick Building, you're going to see the Cedars' building developed in the spring, there will be an upscale burger restaurant, and a beer and wine kind of place where Cedar's Lounge is at," Kidd says.

Youngstown's Imbibe Martini Bar also has plans to expand. The owner of that business was instrumental in having the downtown designated as an entertainment district.

Kidd says there are also discussions about putting a hotel in the Stambaugh Building and a two screen movie theatre at the former PNC Bank building.

Projects that are putting Youngstown's downtown on the upswing.