Youngstown State UniversityLocal Atmosphere Summary

Written by Kayla Boye

Kayla Boye

Hometown

Howland, OH

Major

Professional Writing and Editing

View all previous student authors

Despite facing severe economic setbacks after the collapse of the steel industry, the city of Youngstown is currently undergoing a modern renaissance, spurred in part by the expansion of YSU. The Youngstown Business Incubator is a nonprofit organization leading the charge in drawing in new businesses and promoting the efforts of new entrepreneurs. As economic activity increases, the city has created an ambitious urban renewal plan entitled "Youngstown 2010," which aims to make Youngstown "cleaner, greener, and better planned and organized." There is also an ongoing initiative to redevelop dilapidated neighborhoods such as Smokey Hollow, which borders the YSU campus. YSU has recently announced plans to assist with this effort, with the intention of landscaping the neighborhood's fields for intramural and sports team use.

YSU's students are feeling the direct impact of the city's revitalization, especially in the downtown area. No longer an area to be avoided at night, the city center now features several clubs and restaurants that are attractive to students. Businesses are continuing to assist with the promotion of local culture, such as the popular Rosetta Stone Café & Wine Bar. Rosetta Stone is in the midst of plans to open an ultimate dance club called "Rosetta Rave," a new venue for touring bands and groundbreaking musical acts that will be based in the café's basement (actually a former Woolworth's department store!).