Youngstown CityScape, city of Youngstown employees, Enbridge Gas Ohio employees and the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber rebuilt flower beds and garden bunkers at East Federal and Champion streets Friday. ABOVE: Enbridge Gas Ohio volunteers Josh Russo of Boardman, left, and Arie Zevenbergen of Youngstown plant Ruby Spice Summersweet shrubs. Photo by John Patrick Gatta

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown CityScape, city of Youngstown employees, Enbridge Gas Ohio employees and the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber rebuilt flower beds and garden bunkers at East Federal and Champion streets downtown Friday morning.

The effort added new trees, shrubs and flowers to the area after the city took out old trees, and Enbridge removed old shrubs and roots while adding new soil. Enbridge gave a $25,000 grant for the work.

“There are so many benefits when we work together,” said Sharon Letson, CityScape executive director. “Refreshing these garden bunkers does more than provide planting space. It enriches downtown life, promotes redevelopment, and provides a beautiful streetscape for residents, visitors and everyone who works downtown.”

“We’re proud of our longstanding collaborative partnerships in the Youngstown community, and especially with Youngstown CityScape,” said Steven Rogers, director of utility operations for Enbridge Gas Ohio. “Today’s project illustrates our collective desire to create a vibrant and prosperous city — one that residents are proud to call home.”

“Partnerships like this show what’s possible when businesses, nonprofits and local government come together with a shared vision,” said Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber. “The chamber is proud to work alongside Youngstown CityScape, Enbridge Gas Ohio and the City of Youngstown to not only beautify a visible corner of our downtown but also to demonstrate the power of collaboration in building a stronger, more welcoming community.”

Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown praised the efforts of all those involved, including Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st Ward.

“We’ve been through a lot downtown yet we continue to rise and move forward. I think two weeks ago, OhioOne, did a ribbon cutting there. We got new investment coming in downtown. We just continue to move, and it’s because of the people of Youngtown,” Brown said.

He said he received some angry phone calls from residents because the trees were removed.

“I was telling Sharon about somebody who called me that was very upset, ‘You guys don’t know what you’re doing. You ripped out those trees. What are you doing?’ And sometimes, you just have to trust the process. Nobody knew what was going on until it was announced. Most people won’t know this has happened until today, but, sometimes, you just have to trust the process, just like we’re planting new things that took ripping out of the old things.”

Brown said the city needs to build on its progress and move forward, with collaborations like the one Friday key to making that happen.