Downtown Dash Defies Expectations

I have to be honest; I didn't really understand the concept of the Downtown Dash. I didn't really see it explained anywhere. In fact, I thought it was a race. I assumed there was some kind of award to the first person to run from Central Square through Commerce, Federal, Boardman and Front Streets to the Chevy Centre in time for the fireworks. Maybe I just don't drink enough.

It didn't help that I then started to see the event described as "Downtown Dash (Crawl)." So, which is it, I thought? A dash or a crawl? Then it started to dawn on me that I had heard about a Pub Crawl before, so I guessed we were just trying to shake things up by calling it a Dash. Was it just for the alliterative effect with "Downtown?"

We stayed in last night. I neither dashed nor crawled. Actually, I read about search engine optimization and the strategy of keyword selection. Yes, you wish you lived my exciting life.

I was indeed happy to read in this morning's paper that:

"Every bar is full, and the shuttle is rollin'," said Phil Kidd, who could only describe the turnout as "unbelievable."

"We were hoping for 150 people, and we are over 300," said Kidd's assistant, Morgan Tondo. The line continued to fill in behind the table.

"A lot of people participating have never been here, and I've heard a lot of people say they are coming back," said Marcus Hollenbank, who was working as a bartender at
Imbibe during the dash.

Congrats to Phil and Morgan and all the participating establishments for the event's success, and many thanks to those who came downtown to partake and to sponsors YBI (innovation leaders in scalable technology-based businesses) and M-7 Technologies (leaders in precision management). Cheers to those who do indeed return for another round.

Downtown Updates

Some updates from yesterday's and today's Vindicator:
- Federal Street deconstruction project scheduled for completion in mid-August is reported on schedule and may be finished early. The project still gets the spin treatment: "That section of West Federal will be paved for the first time in about 20 years, and angled parking spots will be added." Never mind the fact that the street was concrete, not asphalt, and didn't need to be paved. Never mind the ridiculous bob-and-weave pattern drivers will now endure trying to make their way through the street. Never mind . . . well, just never mind.
- Optimistic estimates for Spring Common bridge reopening to traffic place that timeline at October. Bridge to remain completely closed until then. Pouring phase happening now and in July. Painting in August. Project's official target completion date is November 15.
- Stambaugh window replacement, scheduled to begin Thursday, was delayed but got underway Friday. Project is scheduled to take four to eight weeks to complete. Project is worth between $62,000-$75,000 and awarded to Cleveland company All American Window and Door.

TONIGHT: Downtown Architectural Tour

Don't miss tonight's architectural walking tour of downtown Youngstown. Your host is The Metro Monthly publisher and editor, Mark Peyko. Mark knows what he's talking about; he has a Master's from Eastern Michigan University in historic preservation planning, focusing on architectural history, preservation and American settlement. He has written extensively on the architecture and history of Youngstown's downtown and, as The Metro Monthly's maestro, he knows the ins and outs of whats going on.

The architectural tour is free and will be presented in memory of local musician and political activist Robert D. Fitzer, who died last year after an extended illness. The tour begins at 7pm from the Civil War monument on Central Square.