big-box store deconstructed and converted into ytown neighborhood library

Last week, the Newport Branch Library on Youngstown's south side was officially dedicated.

The $3.6 million project took the structure of a former Giant Eagle grocery store (note: all the Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle stores have abandoned the city) and completely reconfigured it into 17,965 sq ft of library space.


Before this reconstruction, the South Branch Library built in 1929 with 6,450 sq ft of space, was the focal point on this side of town for the county's library system.


Both the library system's Maintenance Department and Delivery System will be housed at this branch, and will use the loading docks and extra space from the original grocery store.



By saving the core structure, infrastructure costs were minimized by an estimated $1 million. By recycling during the renovation, the library received $17,372 from the scrap metal. This closely follows aspects of the Youngstown 2010 plan to right-size the city, and to be "clean and green".


The Newport Branch houses a cafe as well as public meeting rooms for community groups.

The monotonous older surface parking lot has been designed with walkways, greenspace, and traffic-slowing features.


design by Ronald Cornell Faniro Architects, located in downtown youngstown.

Newport Branch of the Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County
3730 Market Street
Youngstown OH 44507
open 10am to 8pm Mon-Tues-Wed
open 10am to 6pm Thrus-Fri-Sat
closed Sundays