YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Youngstown City Council approved using American Rescue Plan money to help the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation renovate the Foster Theater.

Council approved spending $100,000 for the project at a meeting Wednesday.

It was announced in December that the plan for the old theater is to turn it into apartments with retail space out front.

The building sits along Glenwood Avenue and will cost about $2 million to renovate. A spokesperson from YNDC said they have already leveraged around $1 million and plan to come up with the rest of the funds by the end of the year.

All but one council member voted to approve the spending. Third Ward Councilwoman Samantha Turner voted no, saying her concerns derived from the fact that the organization is still working to gain the funds they need for the project.

“We are hoping to raise $2 million over the next six months, and that’s a lot to bring in on top of all the projects that they’re doing now. So if I saw a plan of action or saw some money already on the table, it might have been easier to support it,” Turner said.

Executive Director of YNDC says he’s thankful for council’s support and happy to see the project moving forward.

“YNDC is grateful for the ARP support from Councilwoman Davis for the Foster Theater project. This is another important step in the collective efforts of YNDC, City of Youngstown, Mahoning County Land Bank, Glenwood Neighbors, and other stakeholders to revitalize Glenwood Avenue,” he said in a statement to First News.

If all goes to plan, construction should start this Fall.