Study would consider Glenwood Ave. safety and recreation updates
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - One of Youngstown's busiest corridors is expected to undergo a review for possible improvements.
City leaders say a long stretch of Glenwood Avenue from Mahoning Ave. to Shields Road in Boardman is in need of some safety and pedestrian-friendly updates.
"Bike paths, pedestrian safety, lighting," Chuck Shasho said, director of public works department.
Shasho believes a consultant would be able to help the city figure out how it can take a modern approach to roadway design, including bike paths and in adding pedestrian safety lighting.
"I think solid infrastructure is a key to any business," Shasho said. "The more pedestrian friendly roadway, brings more pedestrians and brings foot traffic, that brings business."
Youngstown City Council is expected to vote on whether to move forward with the $30,000 study at its meeting on Wednesday.
Shasho says the city would need to secure grant money to then match funding from the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. He doesn't believe these specific improvements would qualify for coverage under the American Rescue Funds.
RECENT REVITALIZATION
Over the past two years, Ward 5 City Councilwoman Lauren McNally says the city and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) have worked on various projects within the Glenwood Avenue corridor- including sprucing up green space and updates at Glenwood Park.
Fast moving traffic and less than satisfactory sidewalks or no access to paths at all for bikes is on her list of changes that need to be made.
"We really need to make sure that it's safe, that it's appealing and that people want to come there and walk around to the various things, they want to walk around, they want to get their coffee and they want to down down to the park," McNally said.
McNally says safe pedestrian crosswalks are needed, especially near busy intersections and businesses including barber shops, a soon to open fresh food market and coffee shop Glenwood Grounds. She says pedestrians have been hit recently at the intersection of Canfield Road.
If the study and a plan is approved, Shasho says resurfacing and pavement projects could coincide with any upgrades that would be made.
He says the last time Glenwood Ave. was resurfaced was a little more than 10 years ago.
The study would take three to four months to complete.
