Board of Elections asks Youngstown to facilitate move to Glenwood 'Bottom Dollar' building

Attorney David Beatrice, speaking for the Mahoning County Board of Elections, urged Youngstown City Council to help keep the elections office in the city by facilitating a move into the former Bottom Dollar building on Glenwood Avenue.

“We want to keep the board of elections in the city of Youngstown,” Beatrice said. He asked the city to “donate or to sell for $1 to the port authority,” saying the Youngstown Port Authority could then invest “well over $1,000,000” — he later put the renovation estimate in a $1,000,000 to $1,500,000 range — to make the building suitable and provide what he described as a long-term anchor tenant for the Glenwood corridor.

Beatrice framed the request as a win for both the city and the board. He said a 15‑year lease with a five‑year kicker would provide a “20 years” anchoring presence and spur economic development on Glenwood Avenue. He warned the current elections building is aging — “124 years old” in his remarks — and said recent water leaks create a risk to voting equipment and operations.

Council members sought clarification. Councilman Julius Oliver asked whether the request sought the building donated or sold, and what specific city commitment was being requested. “If the city can’t find it in their hearts to do that, we have very limited money,” Beatrice replied, saying the Port Authority could amortize renovation costs over the life of the lease if the city cooperates.

Councilman Michael Ray said the administration and the Department of Community and Economic Development (CPED) should evaluate the financial impact and produce a pro forma to quantify tax and other benefits before any deal is made. “We can work with the county officials … and figure out that value,” Ray said.

The council did not take a vote on the request. Next steps recorded in the meeting were a commitment to evaluate the proposal’s financial implications and to coordinate with county officials and CPED; Beatrice also said he and supporters will continue advocacy for the site.

Why it matters: the relocation would keep a county election function inside Youngstown and could bring a long-term government tenant and renovation dollars to Glenwood Avenue; it also requires the council to weigh potential public subsidy or property transfer against expected economic returns and operations security for elections.