Youngstown buys Paramount Theater
The Youngstown, Ohio City Council voted recently to buy the former Paramount Theater, a dilapidated structure on the corner of West Federal and North Hazel Streets. It was a surprising move, since the council had voted the same proposal down just a month before. The cost of the building is $80,000 but asbestos abatement and demolition could run anywhere from $400,000 to $750,000. The city hopes that the state Clean Ohio Fund will pay all or part of the demolition costs.
Council members decided to reverse their earlier decision after examining the facts. The building is a hazard and something needs to be done, but the cost for renovation would be cost prohibitive. Current plans are to demolish the entire building except the façade, and use the space initially as a parking lot for City Hall. They are also getting a small parcel of adjacent property in the bargain.
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