YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s board of control approved contracts for projects that include improvement work to the downtown area damaged by the explosion at the former Realty Tower and its demolition, structural repairs to 20 Federal Place and park improvements.

The board signed off Thursday on a $545,717 contract with Parella-Pannunzio of Youngstown to repair sections of downtown impacted by the May 28 gas explosion that heavily damaged the building and its subsequent demolition.

The improvement work started Monday, before the contract was finalized, because city officials want to reopen the area by November.

The work is on Market Street in front of the former Realty Tower site and on East Federal Street from Market and Champion streets, between where the building was and the Stambaugh Building, home of the DoubleTree by Hilton hotel that was closed for nearly three months because it was so close to the explosion and demolition site.

The project includes repairs to the streets, sidewalks, utilities, landscaping, plants and planters, curb ramps and catch basins.

The board agreed to pay $175,000 to Daniel A. Terreri & Sons of Youngstown to make structural repairs to the top three floors of the city-owned 20 Federal Place, 20 W. Federal St.

The contractor finished the work and also handled a $7.4 million asbestos abatement and partial demolition project at the downtown building.

It was during the abatement and demolition job that it was discovered the floors and walls on the upper three floors of the nine-story building were separating with the danger of bricks falling off the structure.

The city is seeking to redevelop 20 Federal Place, the former flagship location of Strouss’ department store for decades.

The city received a single proposal, from Dallas-based Bluelofts Inc., to redevelop the property. The city hasn’t decided whether to award the project to Bluelofts.

The board awarded two contracts for improvements to city parks using American Rescue Plan funding.

City council agreed in June 2022 to use $10.5 million for its parks.

One contract approved was $1.3 million to Marucci & Gaffney Excavating Co. of Youngstown for improvements to Borts Field, Wick Park and the Eugenia Atkinson Recreation Center. Council had set aside $1.7 million for that work.

The other contract was $413,240 to have Murphy Contracting Co. of Youngstown improve Homestead Park. Council had set aside $440,000 for that work.

Also, the board of control agreed to pay $16,385 to Murphy Contracting Co. for additional work to the city hall fire escape.

The city previously spent about $1.4 million to replace the fire escape that has met with numerous problems and delays since the old one was shut down March 9, 2023, by fire Chief Barry Finley for safety concerns.

The additional work is to have the company install interior illuminated exit signs inside city hall and exterior lighting on the fire escape.

Since the fire escape was shut down, council hasn’t met on city hall’s sixth floor, where its chambers are located. It could meet there at its next meeting, Nov. 20.

The board also authorized a $351,633 contract with GPD Group, which has an office in Youngstown, for an engineering study to upgrade the Webb Road pump station. The funding for the study is coming from ARP funds.

Improvements to the station are needed before repair work can be done to the 48-inch main waterline that supplies the site, which distributes water to most of Austintown and Canfield townships.

In addition, the board agreed to sign a job creation grant agreement with P&S Wholesale Baking Co., 2716 Intertech Drive.

The business would get about a $98,400 income tax refund over three years in exchange for the commercial baking company adding 40 jobs for city residents.

The agreement, authorized Oct. 16 by council, gives P&S a 100% rebate on the 2.75% income tax paid by new employees in the first year, which would be 2026. The rebate would drop to 75% in the second year and then to 50% in the third and final year.