Youngstown to unveil Crab Creek Corridor plan at Feb. 13 meeting

February 8, 2024

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Youngstown to unveil Crab Creek Corridor plan at Feb. 13 meeting — In the previous century, the Crab Creek Corridor housed the massive Truscon Steel complex (as seen in a 1919 company brochure). (Wikipedia)

Youngstown is inviting residents, business owners, and stakeholders to review the recently completed Crab Creek Corridor plan.

A meeting to unveil and discuss the study occurs 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 13 at East Library, 430 Early Road, Youngstown.

The $100,000 plan was funded by a federal Economic Development Administration planning grant, and created to assess the potential for future Crab Creek development.

Youngstown officials are encouraging the public to provide input and participate in revitalization efforts. Officials said the corridor’s revival “holds the promise of bringing economic revitalization to the City of Youngstown and fostering connections between the Eastside and the broader community.”

The Crab Creek Corridor is one of Youngstown’s oldest industrial districts. The corridor straddles the East and North sides of the city with Crab Creek running through its center. The district’s rough boundaries include Logan Avenue, Gypsy Lane, North Garland, and south along Andrews Avenue toward the downtown area.

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In the previous century, the district housed the Republic Rubber Co., and other industrial concerns ran along Crab Creek to the north and south. A 1927 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map shows Republic Rubber. The inset image on the right illustrates the proximity of manufacturing to Crab Creek. (Library of Congress)

In the previous century, the district housed the 50-acre Truscon Steel complex and Republic Rubber, but other industrial concerns ran along Crab Creek to the north and south. In “Youngstown 2010,” planners described its earlier use: “Crab Creek was dominated by metal manufacturers although it also had its share of environmentally destructive industry.”

Today the corridor is blighted with mostly abandoned industrial buildings and stretches of vacant, overgrown land. The district also has lingering environmental issues.

Youngstown officials said redeveloping Crab Creek holds the promise of economic revitalization and an improved quality of life, and cite an active railway line and access to nearby freeways as assets aiding that effort.

“The city will discuss its path to reviving the Crab Creek Corridor holistically, considering both economic development and quality of life,” said officials.

For more information, contact Taylor Jones at 330-742-8894 or email ta*********@yo************.gov.

Editor’s note: The corridor’s physical boundaries were corrected in a subsequent update on Feb. 8.

Heavy industry once ran along Crab Creek north and south of the corridor. Pictured (on the right): the General Fireproofing Co. The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map plate dates from 1927. (Library of Congress)

Pictured: manufacturing and railway infrastructure south of McGuffey Road. Heavy industry once ran along Crab Creek north and south of the corridor. The Sanborn Fire Insurance Map plate dates from 1927. (Library of Congress)

East Library

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