Youngstown going forward with W. Federal parking project

YOUNGSTOWN —The city’s board of control is expected to approve a $474,684 contract Friday to improve a section of West Federal Street and increase parking on and around it.

The Federal project between Fifth Avenue and Phelps Street attracted controversy last summer just as the city was about to seek a company to handle the job.

The plan called for the removal of the medians with 22 trees on that stretch of one of downtown’s busiest streets.

Numerous people spoke in opposition to the plan, specifically the removal of the medians and its trees.

The objections led to an overhaul of the project.

The city is retaining 75 percent of the existing medians and 13 of the 22 trees, said Charles Shasho, its deputy director of public works.

The estimated cost of the project was $695,000. About 70 percent of the funding for the project comes from a state grant.

Shasho is recommending that the board of control hire Parella-Pannunzio, an Austintown company, for the work.

The work is expected to begin in 30 days and is to be finished within 120 days after it starts.

For the complete story, read Friday’s Vindicator or vindy.com