A big change is coming to downtown Youngstown. City officials made the decision to pursue Philadelphia-based SMG to manage the Chevy Centre. That beat out Global Spectrum. Mandy Hackman explains how they made the difficult choice.

With six votes, Youngstown City Council unanimously approved to allow negotiations for a five year contract with SMG.

"SMG's the better fit based on their the largest company in the world in managing arenas. This is all they do. They specialize in this. They could provide the best value to Youngstown," Mayor Jay Williams said.

The Philadelphia-based company would team up with current interim president Eric Ryan and his firm, JAC Management, to run the Chevy Center, with SMG taking care of most of the marketing and booking.

"They have a national, world-wide reputation. They have connections in the industry...They deal directly with agents and artists. So they have the ability to help put this facility on the map," Mayor Williams said.

And under new management, city officials hope the Chevy Centre will bring more revenue to Youngstown.

"If the Chevy Centre's a success, the downtown's a success," City Council President Charles Sammarone said.

With its wide range of acts and groups, the Chevy Centre's already attracted thousands, and officials only want to see it grow.

"It's bringing a lot of people back downtown, a number of restaurants have opened and expanded because of the Chevy Centre. I'd like to see that continue. I'd like to see even more people, more restaurants, more events being held," Sammarone said.

So while SMG and JAC management may take care of the business side, it's up to the community to continue making the Chevy Centre a success.

City administrators will start contract negotiations with SMG as soon as Thursday.