A south side Youngstown group is launching a special effort to revitalize the South Avenue Corridor. The South Avenue Area Neighborhood Development Initiative hosted a Business Summit on Friday.

Youngstown mayor John McNally spoke at the summit and brought along several members of his administration to discuss ways that the city can assist in efforts to revive South Avenue. The Mayor supports plans to form a Merchants Association to partner with the administration on programs and initiatives.

"I think the formation of the business association is the first step to a wholesale revitalization of South Avenue," McNally said.

Seventh Ward Councilman John Swierz says South Avenue is a key corridor that starts downtown and runs into Boardman and beyond and its revival is an effort that the city and the merchants need to invest in.

"You know, it wasn't that many years ago that this whole area was written off as unsustainable," Swierz noted. "And we want to change that. We think it's still viable, there's plenty of land, there's plenty of businesses."

One of the first events will be a Neighborhood Clean Sweep on Friday September 12th from noon to 2 pm. Merchants, residents and city employees will join together in cleaning up trash, vacant lots and sidewalks. Group members say it will be a visible showing that the businesses are committed to making things better in the neighborhood.