Council expected to permit proposals for 20 Federal Place

City searches for developer for 20 Federal Place

YOUNGSTOWN -- City council is expected Wednesday to permit the board of control to seek proposals for the purchase and redevelopment of the city-owned 20 Federal Place office building.

The finance committee Monday recommended council approve the proposal.

Officials with Steadfast City of St. Louis, the firm hired to redesign the landmark downtown structure, are proposing a $34.5 million project that includes apartments with offices along with a bowling alley, bar and malt shop in the basement.

The request for proposals will be finalized shortly, said Nikki Posterli, director of community planning and economic development and the mayor's chief of staff.

Councilwoman Anita Davis, D-6th Ward, asked if an outline of the request would be given to council. Posterli said it will be once it is finished.

The search is supposed to begin April 1 with a developer selected by mid-October, said Doug Rasmussen, Steadfast's president.

The city purchased the building at 20 W. Federal St. in November 2004 after Phar-Mor, a national retail store company, went out of business. Phar-Mor used the building as its corporate headquarters.

Before that, it was the flagship location of Strouss' department store for several decades.

The city has tried over the years without success to sell the 95-year-old building.

The developer will be able to receive federal and state financial assistance that isn't available to the city, Rasmussen said.

The Steadfast plan calls for the upper four floors of the seven-story building to be a combination of residential units and office space.

The plan also calls for an upgrade to the first-floor food court and for the basement to be used for a six-lane bowling alley, a bar and a malt shop.

It would be up to the developer to implement any plan with the $34.5 million proposal serving as an outline.

COMMISSION PROPOSAL

City council and Mayor Jamael Tito Brown's administration had a lengthy discussion Monday about a new $65,000 contract with the Mahoning-Youngstown Community Action Partnership to run the city's Human Relations Commission.

The HRC serves as the investigative body for complaints of discrimination in fair housing and fair employment and acts as an adviser to the office of the mayor and city council in the areas of public policy, legislation, human services and human rights.

Brown said the HRC board hasn't existed for about five years with all of its members, except Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st Ward, quitting.

Jonathan Bentley has served for years as the HRC's executive director, first through a city contract with the Warren-Youngstown Urban League, then most recently the city contracted directly with Bentley.

Bentley will now work for MYCAP, but Oliver expressed concern about MYCAP having the discretion not to retain Bentley.

Also, the contract is increasing from $52,000 to $65,000 with the additional money going toward an increased focus on fair housing, Brown said.

Oliver said he wanted to talk to Bentley before Wednesday's council vote about MYCAP definitely using him.

The one-year contract would take effect April 1 if council approves it at Wednesday's meeting.

dskolnick@tribtoday.com