In 1980, a $10 million hotel and convention center was proposed for downtown Youngstown, Ohio at East Federal Plaza and Champion Street.(1) An October 1980 Vindicator noted that the project was expected to receive up to $600,000 in state funding for a parking garage. The low-interest loan to Youngstown developer Andrew Burin had the backing of the state Department of Economic and Community Development with final approval resting at the Ohio Development Financing Board.
A study conducted by Real Estate Research Corp. of Chicago in 1977 showed that a 200- to 300-room hotel would be practical if it was supported by a convention center.(1) The plans by Burin included,
- A $6 million, 200- to 300-room hotel spanning East Federal under the Hilton franchise. It would include retail either facing the street or within. A restaurant would overlook the roadway.
- A $1.2 million convention center abutting the Stambaugh Building. It would seat 3,000 people.
- A 300-foot observation tower with a “skytop” restaurant between the hotel and convention center.
- A parking garage to the east of the Realty Building.
The city applied for a $1.2 million Urban Development Action Grant for the convention center, and applied for state and federal money for a 300-foot observation tower. Private financing would be used for the hotel. Construction was scheduled to begin in 1981 (1) but the complex was never completed.
Sources
- “Hotel Complex Aid Expected.” Vindicator [Youngstown] 22 Oct. 1980: 6. Print.
