By DAVID SKOLNICK

Staff writer

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown’s design review committee approved an exterior improvement project for a laundromat, making it eligible to receive grant money from the city’s facade program.

With the approval Tuesday for the Laundry Spot, 49 businesses have been authorized by the committee to receive grants from the program.

City council in December 2022 approved setting aside $1 million of Youngstown’s $82.78 million in American Rescue Plan funds for the facade program. It allows eligible companies to receive up to $20,000 each to help pay for the cost of exterior improvements.

In order to get the grants, companies have to obtain permission from the design review committee. Companies must show they are paying at least half of the cost of the work being done.

The facade grants are forgivable loans with a five-year term. Every year a business remains open at its location in the city, 20% of the loan is forgiven until it reaches 100% at five years.

The approval for the Laundry Spot, 2032 Mahoning Avenue, is for the $20,000 maximum grant.

The business is planning a $41,881 project including the installation of a new sliding front door entrance, new windows, outside lighting and new illuminating signs on the building and by the street.

While it was the only facade grant request in front of the committee Tuesday, DRC members also voted to approve a number of exterior projects in the downtown area.

Those in downtown, the Uptown district, the Crandall Park district and businesses seeking facade grants need approval from the design review committee for exterior work.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the committee approved the partial replacement of the exterior stone facade and a new roof at the Youngstown Business Incubator’s Tech block Building No. 5, a former Vindicator building at 252 W. Boardman St.

It also approved the renovation of the north side of the parking lot at the Apollo Building — the former Rica Building — at 117 S. Champion St., and a company sign at the rear of Steelite International’s corporate headquarters at 255 W. Federal St.

Have an interesting story? Contact David Skolnick by email at dskolnick@vindy.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @dskolnick.