Breaking ground on downtown Niles revitalization project

The space where the Robin’s Theater once stood sat empty in the heart of downtown Niles.

That spot that once held a part of Niles history is now positioned to be critical to the city's future. 

Starting next week, work is being done to create Niles Public square, and Riverside Park. 

The $3.5 million project is funded by the State’s Appalachian Community Grant Program, which aims to transform downtown areas along the Mahoning River.

Planning for the project goes back to 2022, but the plans went to fruition after receiving the grant.

“We have an empty lot here pretty much. And so that was before we even knew that the grant money was going to come. We just had plans for what we wanted to see here. This is honestly the welcoming to the other communities into Niles downtown,” said Bianca Rozenblad, city planner and grant coordinator.

The hope with the project is to bring more people to downtown Niles, while connecting the city to the Mahoning River.

“To drive more traffic into downtown Niles, to spark a little bit of economic development, a community space for small scale events, food truck events, community events. And also there's an aesthetic piece,” said Steve Mientkiewicz, Niles mayor.

Once complete, the space will include seating, vendor parking and a stage for concerts. 

“We will also be able to, within the community, to come here and maybe somebody wants to play chess every Monday with their friend. They can come here and do that on the permanent tables, and seating that they have,” said Rozenblad.

The developments to Riverside Park include walking trails, a canoe and Kayak launch and an educational pavilion.

The canoe and Kayak launch will be on the corner of First Street and Brown Street.

It's all part of an ongoing effort to bring development to communities surrounding the Mahoning River.

“We focused on getting the dams out of the river a couple years ago. We're making great progress, we only have a few to go. But really phase two of that effort was to develop the area along the river,” said Jim Kinnick, Eastgate Regional Council of Governments executive director.

Construction is expected to finish by summer of 2026.