Rich Center Renovations Completed in Youngstown
The Paul and Anthony Rich Center has finished a two-phase renovation project on the Youngstown State University campus.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Autism
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The Paul and Anthony Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism recently completed a two-phase renovation project. This expansion adds essential classrooms and multi-purpose space to the Youngstown facility.
Why it matters
The upgrades are designed to accommodate increasing local demand for autism support services and specialized education. The center aims to use the improved infrastructure to bolster university partnerships and early childhood programming.
The CDC estimates that approximately 1 in 31 children are identified with autism spectrum disorder. The project scope included a multi-purpose space, storage, and new classrooms developed over a six-month second phase.
The players
The Paul and Anthony Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism
This center provides specialized education and support services for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
Youngstown State University
The public university hosts the center and facilitates academic partnerships related to autism research and training.
The details
The completed Phase II renovations focused on the building basement, allowing operations to continue on-site during construction. Phase I previously introduced an ADA-compliant elevator, a new roof, and specialized laboratories for sensory and independent living training.
Timeline
Phase II construction began in May 2026.
The celebration for the project occurred on October 8, 2026.
Construction on the basement level finished in October 2026.
Health Landscape
The expansion aligns with the ongoing evolution of the Rich Center for the Study and Treatment of Autism's service model. This growth marks a continued effort to integrate physical facility upgrades with the increasing demand for specialized neurological support.
The completed basement space allows for new community events and parent meetings, improving accessibility to support resources for families. These physical additions enable the center to begin exploring enhanced early childhood programming for local children.
The takeaway
The addition of multi-purpose space allows the center to better serve as a hub for both families and university partners. Residents can look for future announcements regarding expanded programming and event schedules as the facility begins utilizing its new capacity.
Further reading
Learn more about local support services in the Autism section.
Live Poll
Do you believe expanded specialized facilities are currently meeting the needs of children with autism?
