Youngstown Crandall Park water project moves toward planned construction

Youngstown’s Crandall Park Area Water Main and Lead Service Line Replacement project is moving toward its planned construction period, with work centered on Gypsy Lane and nearby properties on the city’s North Side.

The project is expected to replace approximately 4,700 linear feet of 8-inch water main and about 470 lead service lines. Ohio EPA’s May 20, 2026 environmental review scheduled construction to begin in July 2026 and continue for approximately 12 months. A July 13 procurement listing confirms a current solicitation connected to the work, but it does not by itself confirm that a contractor has been awarded the project or that field construction has begun.

Work planned along Gypsy Lane

The Ohio EPA review describes replacement of approximately 4,700 linear feet of 8-inch water main along Gypsy Lane in the Crandall Park area.

The project also covers approximately 470 lead service lines in the public right-of-way and on private property. Youngstown will need permission from private property owners before replacing lines located on private property. The roughly 470-line figure is an estimate for the project area, not a finding that every Crandall Park property has a lead service line.

The Vindicator reported in June 2025 that Youngstown City Council authorized the project and that the water-main work was planned for Gypsy Lane between Logan and Goleta avenues. That report provides background on the city’s earlier authorization and engineering work; the May 2026 Ohio EPA review is the primary source for the current project scope and schedule.

About $9.3 million in planned borrowing

Youngstown proposed borrowing approximately $9.3 million through Ohio’s Water Supply Revolving Loan Account. Ohio EPA’s 2026 Drinking Water Assistance Fund plan lists the Crandall Park project with an estimated loan of about $9 million and approximately $5.5 million in lead-service-line-related costs.

The lead-service-line portion is eligible for partial principal forgiveness, meaning some of that portion may not have to be repaid. The state review also says the water-main portion would use a standard-interest loan, while the lead-service-line portion would qualify for zero-percent financing and potential principal forgiveness. The final loan, assistance amount and project expenditures could differ from the estimates in the planning documents.

City says water rates are not planned to increase

Youngstown told Ohio EPA that it would not raise water rates to pay for this project. That is the city’s stated financing position in the environmental review, not a guarantee that later project records or financial conditions cannot change.

Ohio EPA says the existing water mains selected for replacement are more than 75 years old and at the end of their useful life. The project is also intended to remove lead service lines in the project area.

What residents should watch for

Residents near Gypsy Lane and other properties included in the project may see work near homes, roadways and service connections during the expected yearlong construction period. The available records do not establish a street-by-street work schedule, traffic-control plan, contractor, award amount or final completion date.

Ohio EPA’s review says Youngstown plans to share project information with affected residents through door hangers, the city website and a link on water bills. The city also plans to coordinate with residents before private lead-service-line replacements.

For property-specific timing, access questions or construction notices, residents can contact the Youngstown Public Works Department at City Hall, 26 South Phelps Street, by phone at (330) 742-8800 or by email at publicworks@youngstownohio.gov. Public Works identifies itself as the city department responsible for infrastructure and public services and provides access to current bid advertisements and contractor documents.

The next key confirmation will be an official Youngstown bid, award or construction notice identifying the contractor and field-work schedule.

Sources

• Ohio EPA project environmental review
• City of Youngstown Public Works
• Youngstown council OKs water projects