YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown CityScape, a downtown beautification organization, has purchased a closed West Side flower shop and greenhouse for $145,000.

CityScape purchased the former Briel’s Flowers & Greenhouse at 23 S. Belle Vista Ave. with plan to reopen it, said Sharon Letson, CityScape’s executive director.

“It’s the last greenhouse in Youngstown, and we hope to continue the 90-plus years of legacy of Briel’s as a greenhouse and flower shop,” Letson said. “It seems like the next right step for us in terms of beautification efforts we’ve done.”

Youngstown CityScape purchased the property Tuesday for $145,000, according to Mahoning County Auditor records.

The 97-year-old property had a value of $36,640, according to the auditor’s records.

CityScape will further explain its plans for the property at a news conference in mid-August, Letson said.

Briel’s closed Dec. 31, 2019, after being in business for 96 years.

CityScape is a nonprofit community development organization dedicated to the revitalization of the greater downtown area as well as its corridors.

It runs the annual Streetscape program that cleans and beautifies downtown and city neighborhoods.

dskolnick@vindy.com