Project planners upbeat about future
Things are starting to fall in line for the Hopwood Village Project. A $100,000 state grant for corridor enhancement, a great turnout for the recent National Road Festival, the rousing success of the streetlight program and being a part of the new “All American Road” designation for Route 40 have given members a lot to celebrate.
On the down side, at last week’s regular meeting, project members voted to return the $2,000 America the Beautiful grant for planting trees along Route 40.
A number of extensions had been obtained for the grant, but the group was unable to push the project along fast enough to meet the deadline for the trees to be planted.
However, the group is still eligible to reapply for the grant once the beautification project gets nearer to the stage when the trees can be planted, said South Union Township supervisor Tom Frankhouser, who serves as a member of the Village Project.
With that in mind, project board member Harry McElroy told the audience that the shade tree committee has decided to plant Cleveland pear trees along the historic corridor.
Regarding the streetlight project, in which business owners along Route 40 purchase the lights in front of their firms, McElroy noted that all of the lights have been sold, “unless, of course, people want to start buying them and running them down side streets.”
He said the Fayette County commissioners have expressed support for the proposed improvements to Route 40, which include new sidewalks, period-style streetlights and shade trees.
Project members also heard reports on the National Road Festival.
The organization sponsored a swing dance and hosted activities throughout the town that helped raise funds and increase awareness of the group’s goal of preserving the historic town.
The group raised just more than $7,000 for its beautification projects.
Group members were interested to learn of the possibilities opened to them with the recent announcement that the National Road has been declared an “All American Road.”
Donna Holdorf, executive director of the National Road Heritage Park of Pennsylvania, said the designation alone opens the door to endless marketing potential.
Holdorf also noted that as a town on the National Road, Hopwood has the opportunity to be linked to the Scenic Byways Web site and have local events listed for interested travelers.