From where it stands on the corner of Hazel and West Federal, at the epicenter of the arts and entertainment district in Downtown Youngstown, OH, the Paramount Theater has seen and reflected the many changes its city has endured. Designed by famed architect C. Howard Crane, originally titled Liberty theater opened in 1918 as a 1700 capacity theater to host silent movies and vaudeville. Though it modernized through the decades, it was unable to survive the effects of deindustrialization and suburbanization, and so has lain dormant and in decay since 1976.

Though haggard and beaten it still stands on the corner of Hazel and West Federal and now has witnessed a great Renaissance of business, commerce, and the arts spring up around it. It sees the Youngstown Business Incubator, ever expanding in size and markets, making technological innovation a cornerstone of the future of the city. It sees new governmental buildings that employ hundreds of public servants. From where it sits the Oakland Theater and the DeYor Center are just visible showing that though it and its neighbor the State Theater may lie silent now, culture is once again thriving in Youngstown. While other buildings block its view, it feels the presence of Youngstown State University getting closer and merging with the downtown space. And all around it is the neon glow of so many hot spot clubs, restaurants, and cafes, some old and many have only opened recently, but all are afresh with the energy of the new downtown Youngstown.

The success of the new downtown Youngstown is that it looks to a bright culturally and economically strong future while being rooted in the past. Though nothing would be finer than seeing the theater fully restored to its former glory, sadly the decay is beyond the point in making that feasible. While disheartening, this scenario also provides us with the opportunity to reimagine the space, enabling it to serve a vital cultural function while still honoring its rich history.

Removing the structure yet saving the terra cotta laden facade would maintain its historic presence and irreplaceable beauty on West Federal and Hazel while creating a space that could serve a multitude of functions for the city. The new Paramount location would be a “shared space” capable of holding diverse functions as farmers markets, community movie nights, concerts. Currently downtown Youngstown does not have a place similar to the Warren city amphitheater, which serves a vital role for both the use of enjoyment and addressing a crowd when national leaders come to town. Private parties may also wish to rent the space for graduation parties, weddings, bar-mitzvahs, and other large parties. Art, Music, and Theater troupes may stage productions. There are a myriad of uses for a space that is smaller than the Covelli center but larger than any other venue downtown.

Such space not only improves the quality of life in Youngstown through culture, but also produces greater economic opportunity for the city’s citizens and businesses. The revitalization of downtown Youngstown is a success story garnering international press. To maximize the long term potential of this area we need to invest in what a cultural commons can provide that an abandoned building or parking lot cannot.

A number of great individuals are coming together to shape the future of this community, some are business professionals, some are artists, some are activists, some are leaders at the university, some in politics, and some are people who simply care about the quality of life in Youngstown. All are working together to create a shared vision of an revitalized city.

We hope you join in too,
Youngstown, make it happen.