A group of concerned citizens, elected officials, and volunteers held a picket outside the National City Bank branch in the McGuffey Plaza to protest parent company PNC's decision to close that location October 9.
"They're supposed to do a public notice, and a lot of people in this area don't even realize that this bank is closing next month," says Annie Gillam, Youngstown First Ward City Councilwoman.
"Leaving a lot of people who don't have transportation to get over here. There's a senior home down the block, and there's a lot of people that need access to their bank," says Susie Beiersdorfer, a concerned north side resident.
At the same time, the U.S. Postal Service is considering closing the east side Youngstown branch, located just a few steps down from National City Bank, in the same McGuffey Plaza.
"We can't afford to lose the post office, the bank. We've already lost the grocery store," says DeMaine Kitchen, Youngstown Second Ward City Councilman.
Gillam is calling on the Plaza's owner, The Cafaro Company, to bring new investment and tenants to the east side. Gillam says, "So the bank feels comfortable that they'll be doing some things to help market this bank."
"It's something that we monitor, and any future development is determined by the economic circumstances that arise," says Joe Bell, Cafaro Company Director of Corporate Communications.
Folks say if these services and necessities are allowed to leave, the once proud McGuffey Plaza will be even more deserted than it already is.
"It's turning into a no-man's land. I saw the bus and I thought, is that gonna be the bus to nowhere? There's still a lot of people here and we need to take care of them, all of us," says Beiersdorfer.
Another rally is set for next Friday at the main post office in downtown Youngstown.
