YOUNGSTOWN - The City of Youngstown is working to lend a stronger helping hand to downtown businesses after the Realty Building explosion and ongoing road construction. 

21 News reported in July some businesses directly affected would receive a small cut of financial assistance totaling $200k. Now the city is working on a second rollout, hoping to partner with downtown stakeholders in the process. 

The city primarily focused on assisting bars and restaurants, but spots like Bistro 1907 and Prima Cucina's doors remain closed amid recent events.

The city's community planning and economic development committee plans to meet with two prospective groups looking to financially assist downtown through the rough waters. 

"As of yesterday, we started reviewing some proposals that we've received and we had three proposals come in," explained Nikki Posterli, Chief of Staff with the City of Youngstown. "We kind of want to move on this quickly so we reviewed them as a team yesterday and there were two that stood out to us. So, we are meeting with both parties to see if we can have a joint strategic plan that we think will have an immediate impact."

Posterli would not disclose what partners are looking to work with the city for downtown business financial relief.

A strategic plan is being worked on by Mayor Brown's administration of how the funds will be collected and who will benefit.

The second phase of the rollout will encompass the entirety of all businesses.

Local liquor stores tell council members they feel disregarded with the original financial focus on bars and restaurants.

The inconveniences of road closures are also a continuous burden on all businesses. The city is also planning a relaunch celebration this October, as a way to celebrate the completion of the demolition process and road construction along Federal Street wrapping up.

"That's something that we will be planning as a committee this year to relaunch downtown," Posterli added. "We are thinking of some names for it and we have some great ideas that we are not going to go into yet because we are still planning for them. But we are happy to announce we are planning a successful relaunch of Downtown Youngstown."

The city plans to meet with potential stakeholders this Thursday.

The city also discussed the potential of adding in a DORA to the downtown area. The committee's next meeting is scheduled for September 10.