After a long construction period with a few roadblocks in the way, the newly replaced fire escape at Youngstown City Hall has passed inspection.

City officials have made the announcement that the project has been signed off on by the Mahoning County Building Department and the Youngstown Chief Inspector.

All areas of the building that were impacted by the fire escape replacement and activities that were impeded may return.

Officials also state that the City Council chambers are once again reopened for use.

The previous fire escape was last updated in the 1980s and hadn't met code requirements during a maintenance review conducted in March, 2023. As a result, the number of people allowed into City Hall was limited.

The City Council also moved their meetings elsewhere until the construction was completed.

Officials originally reported in summer of 2023 that the process of demolition and installation would take 6 months to complete.

The project faced delays stemming from problems with the building's foundation which required extra money to repair.

The original estimate for the fire escape project was $250,000. However, after delays and more approved funding, the total cost was brought to over $1 million.

 

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