The Public Service Institute

• About Us
• Staff

Public Service Institute Outreach

• Center for Urban and Regional Studies
• Center for Human Services Development

• Regional Property Information System (RPIS)
• Mahoning River Corridor Initiative (MRCI)
• East Side Wetlands Project

PSI Publications List

Publications may be ordered by contacting:

Center for Urban and Regional Studies
Youngstown State University
One University Plaza
Youngstown, Ohio 44555

Phone: 330-941-3355

Fax: 330-941-1527

E-mail: urban-studies AT cc.ysu DOT edu

Mailing Address:

Public Service Institute
Phelps Building, 2nd Floor
Youngstown State University
One University Plaza
Youngstown, Ohio 44555

Youngstown State University, as an important actor in the social, economic and political life of the Northeastern Ohio and Western Pennsylvania areas, seeks ways to better serve the community of which it is a part.

The Public Service Institute at Youngstown State University was created by the YSU Board of Trustees in 1985 to coordinate, promote and stimulate public service programs and urban research activities offered by the University to the community. The University's investment in the Institute, staff, resources, and facilities has yielded a range of services that otherwise would be unavailable in this area.

At present, the Institute consists of two Centers: The Center for Human Services Development and The Center for Urban and Regional Studies. The Institute works with community organizations, as well as with University departments, to facilitate the extension of University resources into the community where they are needed.

The Center for Urban and Regional Studies GIS Mapping and Data Center is located on the 2nd floor of the Phelps Building on the campus of Youngstown State University. All GIS mapping and data services are provided on a fee-for-service or contract basis. To initiate a GIS mapping and/or data request, please contact John Bralich, Research Associate III/Senior GIS Manager, Data Services Manager at 330-941-2302 or jdbralich AT ysu DOT edu.

For all other GIS-related requests, including printing, please contact John Bralich at 330-941-2302 or jdbralich AT ysu DOT edu.

Download a copy of the Center for Urban and Regional Studies' GIS Pricing Policies.

A Regional Property Information System (RPIS) contains a comprehensive collection of regional demographic, economic, housing, and real property data. Much of this data is currently available through the United States Census Bureau, local municipalities and county government. The availability of this data and the subsequent development of a localized RPIS will enable local community leaders to make informed decisions and develop solutions that will improve neighborhood conditions and quality of life in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties, and the cities of Youngstown and Warren. This should lead to tangible improvements throughout the communities.  For questions about the RPIS, please contact John Bralich, Research Associate III/Senior GIS Manager, Data Services Manager, at 330-941-2302 or jdbralich AT ysu DOT edu.  Click here to access the RPIS.

Welcome to the YSU Center for Urban and Regional Studies’ 2010 Census Resource Center.  The 2010 Public Law data were released Wednesday, March 10, 2011 in Ohio and Pennsylvania.  This data has been rolled out on a state-by-state basis and will be used for the reapportionment of United States House of Representatives Districts throughout the country, as well as state and local legislatures.  In addition, this data, along with data collected during the annual American Community Survey, will give a clear indication of the socio-economic and housing characteristics of the country.

The YSU Center for Urban and Regional Studies’ Census Resource area is a 7-county region encompassing the counties that form the YSU local service area in Ohio (Ashtabula, Columbiana, Jefferson, Mahoning, and Trumbull) and Pennsylvania (Lawrence and Mercer).

Please click here to use our interactive web map.  This map includes 2010 Public Law data for all counties, county subdivisions (including cities, villages, and townships), places (including cities, villages, boroughs, and Census-defined places), census tracts, and census blocks within the 7-county region.

Other Materials

How Will the Census Impact Local Representation?

The city of Youngstown, like many “endangered” industrial cities in the Midwest, has lost significant population over the past half-century and has begun to seek methods to creatively manage shrinking while identifying an appropriate and smaller footprint. Youngstown has seen its population decline by more than half since 1960 due to the effects of deindustrialization and a large out-migration of residents. This decline in population has resulted in an excess of vacant land, as well as land that was never developed, particularly throughout the east side of the city. Under the guidance of the Youngstown 2010 Comprehensive Land Use Plan, the city has committed to a plan of “right-sizing” and adaptively reusing large tracts of abandoned land or land that was never developed on the city’s east side.

The abundance of abandoned or unimproved land presents the city with a number of liabilities, but also a unique opportunity. As many properties located on the city’s east side are located in poorly drained areas that exhibit relatively flat terrain, saturated soils, wetland vegetation, and hydrology, these properties may provide the city with an opportunity to restore, enhance, establish, or preserve wetland resources, and sell mitigation credits, by establishing a wetland mitigation bank. A mitigation bank would allow the city to sell mitigation credits to developers who cause adverse impacts to wetland habitation and are required by law to replace this loss of wetland functions. The creation of a mitigation bank and the subsequent sale of mitigation credits to developers is one of the avenues that can be taken to satisfy compensatory mitigation requirements for impacts to wetland resources caused by development. Fittingly, Mahoning County currently has insufficient space available for wetland mitigation, and any mitigation required for development projects must be done outside of the county. The development of a mitigation bank will allow the city to adaptively reuse large tracts of undevelopable land while selling mitigation credits and creating recreational and education resources for the public.

Download the East Side Wetland Mitigation Bank Plan

Go to the East Side Wetlands Page