5.13 | 2008

Downtown to get upscale housing
The mayor said he's considering moving into the downtown apartment building.
YOUNGSTOWN — The phrases "penthouse apartments" and "downtown Youngstown" aren't often found together, but developer Lou Frangos is about to change that.
He is starting massive renovations that will turn the vacant, dilapidated Realty Towers into an upscale apartment complex. On the 13th floor, the two largest and most deluxe units — the penthouse apartments — will have a bird's eye view of the downtown square.
"It's just fabulous," said Bill Sperlazza, development project manager for Frangos, as he looked from the top floor windows at the traffic and pedestrians below. "Without overexaggerating, it's almost breath-taking." Frangos, a Cleveland developer who owns several downtown properties, is staging a ceremony Wednesday to kick off the $8.3 million renovation of Realty Towers at Federal and Market streets.
Mayor Jay Williams is doing more than giving verbal support for the project. He has asked his wife, Sonja, about moving in.
"She was not adverse to it," he said. " We could potentially take up residence there. If I can persuade her, we'll move. If not, I'll be jealous of those living there."

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