Youngstown Rejects Safety Upgrades for Local Auto Shop

The city denied requests for guardrails and speed bumps after six vehicles crashed into a business in a decade.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Auto Parts

Youngstown Rejects Safety Upgrades for Local Auto Shop

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The Youngstown City Council rejected a request for traffic safety measures from Cyclone Auto Seat Covers owner Mark Klacik following a series of recurring collisions at his business. Officials cited safety concerns and liability risks as reasons for declining the installation of speed bumps and guardrails.

Why it matters

The business owner sought these structural changes to prevent further vehicles from crashing into his property, which has been impacted six times in the last ten years. City leadership maintains that standard protective infrastructure is not designed for this specific purpose.

A local business located at the intersection of Oak Hill and Indianola Avenue has recorded six vehicle crashes over the past 10 years. The most recent collision occurred in late September 2026.

The players

Mark Klacik

Mark Klacik is the owner of Cyclone Auto Seat Covers and has been advocating for traffic safety modifications at his property.

Chuck Shasho

Chuck Shasho serves as the Deputy Director of Public Works for Youngstown and provided the city's official position on traffic safety infrastructure.

Youngstown City Council

The Youngstown City Council is the legislative body responsible for reviewing municipal requests regarding traffic safety and city infrastructure.

The details

Mark Klacik addressed the City Council on Wednesday to propose structural changes, including moving the business entrance to accommodate a potential guardrail. Public Works officials rejected the plan, noting that guardrails are designed to protect motorists and could create municipal liability.

Six vehicle crashes occurred at the business between 2016 and 2026.
The most recent vehicle crash occurred in late September 2026.
The business owner discussed potential guardrail placement in September 2026.
Mark Klacik addressed the Youngstown City Council on October 21, 2026.

Roadmap

The city's decision reflects broader urban planning trends that prioritize standardized safety protocols over ad-hoc infrastructure requests for private property. This underscores a persistent conflict between municipal liability management and the interests of business owners in high-traffic zones.

Local drivers and business owners should be aware that the city has formally opted against installing additional speed-dampening infrastructure at this location. Residents navigating the intersection of Oak Hill and Indianola Avenue should exercise continued caution due to the history of traffic accidents.

The takeaway

Business owners in high-traffic corridors face significant challenges when seeking to modify public infrastructure for private property protection. City liability standards often prevent the installation of barriers that do not directly improve safety for the motoring public.