YOUNGSTOWN - Residents of International Towers were supposed to be able to move back in Friday, but with half of the Realty Building still standing next door that’s not happening.

“This is an ordeal,” Bob Hannon, the President of the United Way of Youngstown & Mahoning Valley said. “Anyone that’s watching that would have to leave their home for two months and not know when they’re going to return, that’s quite traumatic.”

As they wait, the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley are making sure they aren’t forgotten. Since contractors didn’t meet the August 2 deadline to have the Realty Building down to four floors - the buildings around it have to stay closed. 

Of the 173 residents in International Towers, 55 of them are staying in a hotel in Boardman. The United Way worked with several community organizations to find them that hotel and helped others get into assisted living. About 40 of the residents did not need lodging and opted to stay with friends or family. 

“Things could change but it does appear now that mid-August looks like potentially a date they could return,” Hannon said. “As this weeks gone on I’ve become more optimistic that they will be back in in mid-August.”

If the residents are still displaced after August 15, Hannon is confident they will secure more funding to continue helping them. 

As International Towers tenants wait, the displaced tenants of the Realty Building are planning on filing a lawsuit. As 21 News first reported in our Watchdog Report on July, 19 pictures show people dressed like contractors taking items out of the building before demolition started. Lawyers for the tenants said they “represent numerous individuals relating to property damage and personal injury” but would not comment further on the lawsuit. It’s expected to be officially filed next week.

For International Tower residents, the United Way is making plans for when their move in process will take place. Hannon said when they get the all clear, the residents that want to move back will go in phases over two to three days. 

“It won’t take a week, it won’t take three weeks but we do have a plan in place,” Hannon said. 

The United Way will help with transportation back to the towers and getting everyone settled. They also plan to provide welcome baskets for every resident and will have a picnic once they return. 

“It’s where they socialize. It's their community," Hannon said about the International Towers residents. “I think when they return home it will be a celebration for downtown Youngstown.”