Free concert to kick off full reopening of downtown Youngstown

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Youngstown city officials spoke to the media Tuesday morning about the full reopening of the downtown area, with a concert set next month to kick off increased revenue for businesses.

Mayor Jamael Tito Brown said he is excited to be back downtown and enjoy what it has to offer.

“I think we are setting the tone for the future of the downtown,” he said. “As a community, we have to stick together. We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

Councilman Julius Oliver praised the resilience of downtown businesses and said it is a time to celebrate.

A free concert will be held on Federal and Phelps Street beginning at noon on Oct. 19, with food and beverages sold exclusively by downtown businesses.

“We wanted to create an event that directly benefited the downtown businesses — drove people downtown,” said promoter Eric Ryan. “That’s why we call this ‘The Open.’ It’s a free concert for the public.”

The Open was created to drive people into Youngstown and directly benefit the businesses downtown. They will exclusively provide all food and beverages. Any proceeds will benefit them.

Entertainment will cover a variety of musical genres, and Oh WOW! will offer family-friendly programming as well.

Four bands will perform: Howard Howell, Blaq Rose, Youngstown’s Houseband and Red Wanting Blue.

“This is not just a one stop, and we’re going to complete it. This is our next stop. This is our next step,” Brown said.

This is just one event combined with other city events for Halloween and Thanksgiving to show people downtown still has happenings for people to attend.

There are four other events happening downtown on the same day, including the Penguins with a home football game. Those and The Open could make for a big day for the downtown businesses.

“On October 19, downtown Youngstown is going to be the place to be,” said John Dimmler, from 717 Credit Union.

Speakers included Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, Councilman Julius Oliver and Youngstown-Warren Regional Chamber President Guy Coviello, as well as Eric Ryan, from JAC Management and John Dimmler, from 717 Credit Union.

Downtown businesses have had difficulties since the explosion at the Realty Building, and dealing with streets being closed which have limited people’s ability to move around. The city wants The Open to be a showcase for them.

“When they say it’s like they’re opening, I’m like not if they want to call the opening, that’s fine but we’ve been here the whole time,” Gina Pizzulo, manager at West 34th, said.

Dave Sess contributed to this report.

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