VIP Café Show – Youngstown, Ohio – Local Guests with Amazing Impact to Our Community

E54: The VIP Café Show with Eric Holm – Restoring South High: A Journey of Nostalgia and Renewal

• Debbie Larson and Greg Smith • Season 3 • Episode 54

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Curious about the transformative power of urban development? Join us on the VIP Cafe Show for an enlightening conversation with Eric Holm, the visionary Executive Director of Youngstown Jubilee Urban Development. We kick off the episode with our co-hosts Debbie Larson and Greg Smith, who shed light on the unique role of a Discussion Master at the local Toastmasters club, fostering open and engaging dialogues on various topics. Eric takes center stage to share his inspirational journey from a successful career in tech to a newfound passion for classical architecture and urban restoration. His love for Youngstown's historic pre-1940s architecture and the community's unwavering spirit form the foundation of Jubilee's mission.

In the second part, we spotlight the remarkable efforts to revive the iconic South High School, a landmark in Youngstown. Discover how alumni and community members can make a lasting impact through various naming rights and volunteer opportunities. Learn about the historical significance and stunning design of the school's auditorium, crafted by Charles Owsley, and its potential as a vibrant community hub once restored. We wrap up with heartfelt reflections on high school experiences, emphasizing the deep sense of nostalgia and community spirit driving these revitalization efforts. Don't miss this captivating discussion on preserving Youngstown's rich architectural heritage and fostering a stronger, more connected community.

Speaker 1:

hey, hey, hey, it's the vip cafe show. I am greg smith and I'm here with my dressed up ready to go. Co-host debbie larson. What's the deal?

Speaker 2:

we got a dress on today you have the toast masters meeting after this yes and I had to look the part.

Speaker 1:

Are you doing a speech today?

Speaker 2:

I'm discussion master.

Speaker 1:

So I figured I'd dress up so for the people listening what's the discussion master, Because we're the only club really in.

Speaker 2:

That does a discussion master.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, go ahead, tell them what it is, because this is the executive club in Youngstown In.

Speaker 2:

Youngstown what it is, because this is the executive club in in youngstown. Yes, so toastmasters clubs, every single club has a specific agenda that they follow every single time that they meet and every single week that agenda looks different who's filling the roles, and that type of thing. But our club has a spot in there. It's called the discussion and it allows us to have practice having differing views and the discussion master presents the topic. But if they're doing it right, you won't be able to tell their thoughts on the topic, and so then everybody raises their hand and so I facilitate the discussion, and it could be. Sometimes everybody thinks the same and it's pretty, it's very cool other times, people, but either way, really great topics are brought up because there's a freedom.

Speaker 1:

And you also practiced having discourse, yes, which is great.

Speaker 2:

And it's funny because there's a break right afterwards. So sometimes the tension mounts a little bit and then, right after the break, is hey. So how you been.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, we have a guest today, don't we?

Speaker 2:

We do.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's a jubile guest.

Speaker 2:

Jubile, jubile, here you go. I'm going to let you introduce our guest. Okay, today we have Eric Holm, who is the executive director of Youngstown Jubilee Urban Development. Now they are not just a urban development company for profit and they actually have a mission behind what they do and really without getting too far into our guest today. He came in from out of state and when he came to our area he just began to see all the architectural beauty in our region and it just broke his heart to see it like going into decay.

Speaker 2:

And so he ended up partnering up with Jubilee, and I will not take your story Welcome.

Speaker 1:

Eric, eric, one thing we always start is we always start with what got you in love with what you do. What happened in your life that got you to go? Oh, this might be something, or is this something that developed over time?

Speaker 3:

Sure, first off, greg and Debbie thanks for having me on. I appreciate it. Sure, first off, greg and Debbie thanks for having me on. I appreciate it. So I had a career in the tech sector, but I always said if I had to do it over again, I would have been a classical architect. Okay, my dad was in the military, so we moved around both coasts and overseas. But for whatever reason, in my heart I've always loved pre-1940s architecture. So when I saw Youngstown for the first time both the residential quality homes in the Glen Northside and even a common home with pocket doors and then I looked at the downtown core and the schools in Youngstown, I was like there's amazing architecture here. That's part of the story of generations of people and it needs to be saved.

Speaker 3:

So in a lot of ways I've loved Youngstown because of the architectural beauty and the fact that there's there's a lot of opportunity to restore it. But then after many years of living here I realized there there's a grit and a heart and soul that it's in Youngstown that you often don't find in other cities, especially big cities. So I came for the architecture and then the love of the people has been the binding influence.

Speaker 2:

Oh, that's beautiful yeah.

Speaker 1:

I have friends that they actually coined a phrase Youngstown it. So when they come up on something tough in their business or anything, they go. It's time to Youngstown it.

Speaker 3:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Yeah.

Speaker 2:

I feel like I need a recording of that, and every time I run up into something I just play. It's time to Youngstown it.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, like a coach. There's a toughness to Youngstown, yeah there is, and it's really interesting.

Speaker 1:

We sometimes fight like cats and dogs and we seem real tough which we are, but what's really great is we protect our own. We really do. I'll never forget when our company Diamond.

Speaker 3:

Steel burnt down in.

Speaker 1:

Let's say it was 1990. 1990. It burnt down to the ground and our competition came and made sure we had what we needed to stay in business Because they knew they couldn't handle everything, so they needed to keep us.

Speaker 3:

That's just gave me goosebumps. That's beautiful. That is a great story that encapsulates what I see here in Youngstown.

Speaker 1:

It's like you could beat up on your little brother, but let nobody else do it there you go.

Speaker 3:

So tell us about the project you got going now. Sure, let me back up just a little bit. So Youngstown Jubilee Urban Development it's been around since 1994 and it's known really for rehabbing and building new homes in Youngstown, mostly on the south side, but some on the east side as well. So the purchase of South High School has been a dream of ours, because it's such an iconic building it's right on Market Street that there used to be 10,000 people in the stadium behind it and there's 60,000 students that went through those doors. And there's 60,000 students that went through those doors. And even to this day there's an incredible connection with South High School and the field. Even though South High closed in 1993, the people's memories still are attached to the school. For example, august 13th we had 800 people in the front lawn of South High School and they came from all the city schools, north East, mooney, ursuline I'm missing a couple of them here, wilson, is there a Wilson Wilson Chaney?

Speaker 3:

Hopefully I didn't miss anybody, but they came because not only did they want to represent their school, but part of their story even though they didn't go to South was woven in with the football stadium and the field house.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 3:

So we see the restoration of South High School as more than just saving a building and it's an incredible building but as a catalyst for the redevelopment around that area.

Speaker 2:

And I got to be there at that event and I was shocked at the lines and how long they stood in line waiting for tours of the building. That line stayed long until the event was pretty much almost over and then they finally got everybody in. People were so curious to look inside the building. I got to be in the building and hear their reactions about oh my goodness the memories. It was really cool, having never been in that building before that. Their reactions about oh my goodness, the memories. It was really cool, having never been in that building before that day or before actually just a couple days before that, it was really cool to hear some of their memories and stuff. So I had no clue. The glue that building was and still is for the community.

Speaker 1:

That's awesome. I played South, did you? Yeah, trumpet.

Speaker 3:

Which school did you go to?

Speaker 1:

Boardman Okay.

Speaker 3:

So even in Boardman there was a connection still with South High to a degree.

Speaker 1:

Yes, yes, I could say South High. I just can't say that my kids say that one.

Speaker 3:

There's a lot of warrior pride and I've seen guys and gals 50s, 60s, 70s they walked those halls and there was even grown burly men with tears.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it was something, but there was okay. So after years, after South High closed, there was an organization that bought it and they had a school in Eagle Heights Academy and so some of those kids were coming. Now adults were coming through and one particular group went into the auditorium and they spontaneously just combusted in their school song and it was like at this moment, because it's auditorium, the acoustics are like, and they're together singing this anthem with such gusto and pride and it was just. I mean, I know that everybody probably has that to some extent for their school, especially when they get together with people that they went there with. But yeah, I'm excited, you know personally, and then I'll let you I don't want to take over the interview, but I'm excited to see you know when. What's the school in Warren that had to get shut torn down and they left the facade and it's beautiful, but there's just a facade sitting there. So the fact that people have been able to really invest and be a part of keeping South High standing, it's huge.

Speaker 1:

So what are we doing with South High?

Speaker 3:

We are going to turn it into Workforce and Career Tech Center, and so these are state-funded programs 16 weeks long, and they'll be open to adult learners and high school students.

Speaker 1:

Okay.

Speaker 3:

We're hoping to bring that online in 2026. Okay, so it's going to be an asset to the community and it's not going to repeat other things that are already available. So, just to let you know, since Jubilee has had a hand in a lot of home building, we're going to have vocational programs around carpentry, hvac, electric. Then we'll also offer programs that are more geared towards manufacturing and needs that are going to come up in our region, especially as Voltage Valley opens up more. And then, finally, we'll also be high-tech courses too, maybe around cybersecurity. So, whether you're working with your hands or you like to type the keys, so long as there's a market for that job, we'll look to have certifications for it. Great.

Speaker 2:

Amazing how, like the blend, sometimes we get so focused on just the past and the glory of the past but.

Speaker 1:

I love how it's a fresh vision, merging the past with the future so how do people, if they, you know, want to keep up on this, is there going to? Is there some type of way that they can sign up for a newsletter or something that allows them to keep in the loop?

Speaker 3:

Absolutely. First off, I'm going to tip my hat to Debbie, who started a Facebook group. It's South High Revitalization, so you go ahead and go and like that Facebook group. But in addition to that, youngstown2030.com. Youngstown2030.com is our website. There's a whole section devoted to South High School with a lot of webpages showing you videos of the progress happening. But on the top right there's a button so you can sign up for our newsletter and we send that out quarterly. Oh, that's awesome.

Speaker 2:

And can I add something? Okay, and then after this I'll be quiet, if that's, if you believe that.

Speaker 1:

I got a dollar on that.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so check this out Now. I know that Eric might not, but I just I think that this is an exciting opportunity and there may be some people listening that you have built your business, you have built your career and now you're looking to add legacy, you're looking to make your name or your business name last generations. And so what Eric has not mentioned mentioned that there's going to be opportunities for naming rights for entrances, for the stairwell, for the field house, for the auditorium and so that to have a name on there that literally takes this, it not only helps fund it to make it happen, but it takes that name and connects it with the future of so much of the workforce and everything that happens there. I think it's an exciting opportunity for any business owner who may be in that position where they're not struggling from month to month or paycheck to paycheck. There's so many up and coming businesses.

Speaker 1:

But we should definitely let the alumni know.

Speaker 2:

Yes, absolutely. I think they're also going to do a wall, they're going to do like where you could put your name on a plaque.

Speaker 1:

Like a brick thing.

Speaker 3:

Yes, yes like the brick thing. Yeah, so let me chime in on that. Thank you for mentioning that. They will be naming rights for various parts of the building. We also intend to have a South High Alumni Center. In fact we've already started it and we've had some South High Warriors bring us memorabilia. So our goal is to have that, so that Warriors can nostalgically relive some of the glory days and reconnect with some people maybe they haven't seen for years or even decades. But in addition to that, a very important audience is the Eagle Heights alumni. Actually, one of them, nakia Johnson, mentioned to me that you know what I was in this school longer than most warriors, because she went there from first to eighth grade.

Speaker 1:

So she had this deep attachment I just a suggestion is a lot of times with these naming rights they have a lease. You lease it for 10 years and then somebody else can lease it. But my suggestion is and maybe they do this already but if somebody, if you do that and you say, okay, you can name the auditorium. It's a 10-year lease, it's whatever it is. After 10 years somebody else can buy those naming rights. But you keep that until somebody does, and rather than oh, I like that yeah, because that way rather than just snatching it off.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, yeah, absolutely right or or yeah yeah, that's just a thought yeah, why don't we talk about the auditorium just for a moment?

Speaker 3:

Because, some folks haven't been into the South High School and the build quality of that auditorium and the halls are just off the charts. So the same architect that built the Mahoning County Courthouse with all that marble, charles Owsley, and his father also built South High at the same time. So when you walk into the school it's really grand. There's terrazzo floors, marble steps, marble wainscoting and a lot of ornate plaster. And then when you step inside that 800-seat auditorium you look up and it's like a ceiling out of Broadway. It's that ornate.

Speaker 2:

So it really is worth it to the community to restore this and start having plays, musical performances and even alumni events back in the building yeah that's so beautiful that's great, yeah, yeah so, from what I understand, let's just say somebody is listening and so, whether it's you know 40, 50 nameplate or the naming rights, pretty Pretty much anybody who's interested in oh, and also volunteer opportunities, right, so anybody who's interested in even saying hey, I just want to be a part of this. Like you don't have to be a wealthy business owner to be a part, correct?

Speaker 3:

Correct. Yeah sorry, can I put a plug in for who to contact if they want to volunteer? Yes, Okay. So I mentioned Nikea Johnson. She actually just came on board and she is doing many jobs. One of them is organizing our volunteers. Oh, that's great. Yeah, so it's Nikea at Youngstown2030.com. So that's N-I-K-E-A at Youngstown2030.com.

Speaker 2:

Nice yeah, and I've met her. She's a very lovely girl, very passionate and excited, exuberant, so that'll be really good for her to pull people together. But from what I understand, you also have the ability, like groups and businesses and youth groups and different things, can take on projects together, absolutely, so it's really a community event. That's beautiful.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it gives, and we've already had a few community groups come in and really tidy up classes. So there's 130,000 square feet in that building and we've got quite a few more classrooms to tackle.

Speaker 1:

Wow, that's awesome. That's exciting. Yeah, it is yeah.

Speaker 2:

So what's your? I'm going to turn this to Greg real quick. Okay, Greg, what do you remember most about?

Speaker 1:

High school.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, now you went to Boardman.

Speaker 1:

I'm just going to tell you. I have a 43 unions this weekend. Yeah, wow, yeah, we had you know Jerry Green, our sheriff from my class.

Speaker 3:

Wow, okay.

Speaker 1:

Tim Saxon, the former superintendent of Boardman's from my class. Okay, and Vicki Babiak. Man, you must have some good teachers, 84 was a great year, it really was. And then Kozar was 82.

Speaker 2:

Oh, wow, oh, that's exciting. And you played the trumpet or the trumpet. I did Trumpet, trumpet. Okay, oh, very cool.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it was fun, it was wonderful teachers, amazing teachers.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, amazing experience. Oh, that's really cool, and that was Boardman. So, what about? You went, eric. You went out of state and you bounced around a lot.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, like I said, my dad was in the military, so we were rolling stone move every year or two, yeah. So in a way, I actually envy people that grew up in Youngstown, because a lot of times it was multiple generations, maybe even on the same street, so they have a depth of connection with their friends and family. That really is something to be treasured.

Speaker 3:

And so in a way, I live vicariously through folks here in Youngstown, Boardman, because of the fact that your roots grow down deep. So that's what I'm actually doing right now with my family. We're transplanted here, but we're burrowing in.

Speaker 2:

And, speaking of that, your sons are very involved in this project.

Speaker 3:

So my oldest son, he's my right hand and he's literally laying flooring, probably as we speak right now. Oh, wow, wow, that's great. Yeah, hey, can I touch on a couple of the prominent alumni?

Speaker 1:

Yes, absolutely.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, some folks may know this, but really distinguished individuals have come out of South High, so one of them was Edward de Bartolo. Wow, obviously you know him. Yeah, he was a small developer in the United States at one point and the 49ers.

Speaker 1:

Yes, the 49ers.

Speaker 2:

Thanks, South High.

Speaker 1:

One of two championships when he was.

Speaker 3:

Right yeah, just a little team that he owned Simeon Booker Jr. He was a very prominent civil rights writer. He was the first African-American that worked for the Washington Post full-time. Wow, Nathaniel Jones district judge. He's got a courthouse named after him. He came out of South High, and then a lot of prominent people in sports. Anybody remember boxing Harry Arroyo? Oh yeah, 1983 champ that's me South High grad Ron Torbert. He is a referee for NFL. Really, and he was a Super Bowl ref a couple years back, youngstown.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 3:

So I always say Youngstown punches way above its weight.

Speaker 2:

Oh 100%.

Speaker 3:

Yes, oh, 100%.

Speaker 2:

Yes, oh, that's amazing.

Speaker 3:

I'm sure there's even more. There is, and I'll just name a few others. But Robert Pegues he was superintendent of schools Dee Crawford, wkbn. Oh yeah, so Garcia Lane was, I don't know if you remember him. Football star came out of 1980 undefeated team.

Speaker 2:

Wow yeah.

Speaker 3:

Wow people both in sports, media and business that come out of south high. Really it's a.

Speaker 2:

It's just a long roster then that would be even way cool. Like, their paraphernalia is probably sitting in a basement somewhere or some storage facility. How cool would that be to get? So you, the alumni center, if somebody like, let's just say, their parent, went to south high and the football jersey sitting in the basement, they could bring that in and either give it or lease it or lend it to the alumni center.

Speaker 3:

Absolutely so. There's two ways it can go about. One, they could just give it to us. You know we'd be. You know we credit them for sure, yeah. Or if they want to sign a memorandum of understanding. Basically, they loan it to us for as long as they want to, and so it still belongs to them, but then we have the right to show it inside the alumni center. That's exciting, yeah, and we would love to get yearbooks, pennants, trophies like you said football jerseys.

Speaker 3:

Actually, a lady called me just recently and says hey, I have my majorette outfit from the 50s. Do you want it? And I said sure.

Speaker 1:

So there really is a lot of buzz that's happening right now. So if they have memorabilia and they would like to donate it, how do they do that?

Speaker 3:

So a couple of ways. They can call our main number, which is 330-783-0675. That's 330-783-0675. Or on the website there's a contact form and they can just indicate that they have memorabilia to give and we'd be happy to contact them and check it out.

Speaker 1:

That's excellent. That's excellent. Anything else you want to?

Speaker 2:

can I just add something?

Speaker 1:

you may do that. I must be the gatekeeper. Today you win your dollar back.

Speaker 2:

Okay, because of because I you know that when I was introduced to eric and I went and toured and, you know, saw what they're wanting to do, I was just so connected. I felt so connected to the mission, to the beauty and the appreciation for what Youngstown is and this is South High is just one of the projects that they're doing Like the appreciation for who we are is so at the core of Jubilee that it just it resonated so deeply with me so I decided to join the fundraising committee.

Speaker 2:

So if anybody is interested in the naming rights or the wall. I'm a part of designing that creative, the creative space and the creative ideas, so you may end up interacting with me if you were to go that route. So in that event, it's debbie at youngstown2030.com, right.

Speaker 3:

Yes, okay, they're going to blow up your email.

Speaker 2:

So young, yeah, yeah, hopefully with your yes, with your naming, right checks, yes. So anyway, I just wanted to add that, because in the event somebody does and they're like wait a minute, you know that it may be. I did join that committee because I'm excited about what you guys are doing.

Speaker 1:

We know it's time for rapid fire. Go ahead, you get it kicking off, okay.

Speaker 2:

North or South, really Okay. No, we have still not gotten to North. Okay, sorry about that.

Speaker 3:

Pepsi or Coke, coke but I love Dr Pepper better.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, sweet or sour, sweet All right Beer or wine Beer Guinness.

Speaker 1:

Guinness, guinness, guinness. Wow, you ever been over to Ireland.

Speaker 2:

Closest I've got is an. Irish pub, but I'd love to go to Ireland, my son went over there and he said it is different and it is amazing, just a thought yeah, isn't it warm over there though? Yeah, but that's the only ones that have ice cold beer. We do everybody else's room temperature.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, it's like weird you go to the Hofbrauhaus in Germany and it's the refrigerator break's going on, but it's good, it's delicious, it's. There's a temperature that they have it at the connoisseurs that where the americans change everything for what we want, which you know is normal hey, it is normal, okay.

Speaker 2:

So do you have brothers or sisters?

Speaker 3:

or both. I have two sisters. One of them lives just out of Youngstown, in Liberty, and the other one is in Colorado.

Speaker 2:

Oh nice.

Speaker 1:

Favorite sister.

Speaker 2:

Okay, and let's see you have all. Sons, no, daughters no, I've got a favorite daughter, Danielle. Oh, she's. I have three sons, gunnar.

Speaker 3:

Nick and Zach, and Zach works with us at South High.

Speaker 1:

Okay nice. Awesome. Oh, you have to do a pizza or a french fry one.

Speaker 2:

Yes, okay, okay, oh yes, and this is especially good for people coming in from somewhere else. Favorite pizza.

Speaker 1:

In Youngstown.

Speaker 3:

In Youngstown.

Speaker 1:

You can list a couple if you want.

Speaker 3:

Yes, okay, I love Cocos. Yum, there's one. I've only gone a couple of times and it's in Boardman, out by the old climbing gym. What's that one?

Speaker 2:

Oh, on Western Reserve. Yes, what's that? One Riders.

Speaker 3:

No, just down the road, oh, westgate, westgate over on Glenwood.

Speaker 2:

Okay.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, all right.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

All right, so good Favorite pizza.

Speaker 2:

And now favorite French fry, french fry. Last and final question.

Speaker 3:

Oh, you're going to hate me for this. It's not a local one. I really love McDonald's fries. That's okay. He likes chemicals.

Speaker 1:

All right Closing thoughts. Go ahead and give your website and all that again.

Speaker 3:

All right, so that is Youngstown2030.com. Youngstown2030.com.

Speaker 1:

Awesome Take care. Thank you, eric, thank you.