Developer Sues Youngstown Over Federal Street Dispute
Proffessor Enterprises LLC seeks at least $300,000 in a federal lawsuit against the city and a deputy public works director.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Construction
Proffessor Enterprises LLC has filed a federal lawsuit seeking at least $300,000 against Youngstown and deputy public works director Charles Shasho over the building at 132 W. Federal St. The suit is the second federal case tied to the property and lists five counts, including due process violations and First Amendment retaliation.
Why it matters
The dispute centers on a city dumpster removal and a halt to renovation work, raising questions about how code enforcement and permitting affect construction projects in Youngstown. A prior federal lawsuit over the same property was dismissed for lack of standing, and the city has called the new suit frivolous.
The latest suit seeks at least $300,000 in damages, compared with $1.3 million sought in the first lawsuit that a federal judge dismissed for lack of standing. The city issued $1,600 in code violations against the property on October 15, and the outcome of the new claims remains unresolved.
The players
Youngstown
Youngstown is a city in northeast Ohio that is the defendant in the latest federal lawsuit over the Federal Street property.
Adam Buente
Adam Buente is the City Law Director of Youngstown who has called the lawsuit frivolous and expects it to be dismissed.
The details
The lawsuit, filed by Proffessor Enterprises LLC, lists five counts: due process violations, First Amendment retaliation, illegal economic taking, a Monell claim, and equal protection violations. The filing states the city removed a dumpster from the property on March 12, 2025, because code enforcement had determined it was not permitted, and that all renovation work stopped three days later.
Timeline
August 30, 2024: The city stopped delivery of a dumpster for missing paperwork.
March 12, 2025: The city removed the dumpster from the property.
October 1, 2025: Jantz Clinkscale filed the first federal lawsuit against the city.
April 22, 2026: A federal judge dismissed the first lawsuit for lack of standing.
Legal Context
The new suit follows a federal judge's April 22, 2026 ruling that Jantz Clinkscale lacked legal standing to bring his claims against the city. Proffessor Enterprises now presses similar claims over the same 132 W. Federal St. property.
Property owners and contractors in Youngstown may face delays if code enforcement and dumpster permitting halt active renovations. The outcome of this suit could clarify how the city's permit and enforcement actions are reviewed in federal court.
The takeaway
Construction projects in Youngstown can be disrupted quickly when permits or city-provided equipment are withdrawn, so owners should confirm paperwork and enforcement status before work begins. Both lawsuits show that standing and documentation can decide whether a claim against a city proceeds.
Further reading
For more on local building projects and permitting disputes, see Construction coverage across Youngstown.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Vindicator.
