May 22, 2002 By April Straughters 3 min read

Uniontown’s Downtown Business District Authority will consider leyving assessment fees on property owners within the district as a way to raise money and improve the city’s downtown area. The DBDA heard recommendations from Bill Fontana, executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC), Harrisburg at its meeting Tuesday.

According to Fontana, Uniontown is the only business district authority or “improvement district” in the state that has not used its power to tax property.

“An improvement district is a major tool that this community needs to take a long hard look at,” Fontana said. “If you want to make a significant difference an improvement district is the way to go. If you have problems how do you plan to address them without adequate staff?”

As an improvement district, the DBDA could tax property to raise funds for an operative budget. Fontana said the DBDA may already have those rights, but since they have been in operation since 1985 and have never utilized their power they would have to check into it.

He told the DBDA to expect “grumbling” from property owners within the district if they would decide to go that route. But he said once property owners realize the “cost benefit” they will go along with it.

Once approved though, Fontana said, although it is not a tax, the property assessment is not voluntary and is a legal obligation, the same as a water or sewage bill.

“It is a fee for service,” he said, noting the average price per day ranges from 44 cents for the smallest property to $3.83 for the largest.

Leigh Anne Sperry, executive director, said the DBDA is just looking at property assessment as a tool.

“The DBDA is not pressuring anyone into assessment. This is just one option that we are taking a look at,” she said.

Fontana said property assessment is just one way for the DBDA to raise money to achieve their goals, but he said the first step is to develop a shared vision.

“You must have a common vision as to what the downtown is supposed to be,” he said.

Then, after a vision is shared, he said they need an operational plan.

He recommended a public meeting to create a vision and to find out what everyone wants to accomplish.

Sperry agreed.

“Expectations are so wide across the board. It is to the point that the we need to know who we are, what our purpose is,” she said.

Mark Rafail, chairman, said he thinks the community will want to be involved in developing a vision statement.

He said the DBDA will publicize a meeting to discuss a shared vision and he expects a great turnout.

Bob Junk, strategic planning manager for the Fayette Enterprise Community, said he welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the DBDA on ways to improve the city.

“Uniontown is the county seat and should be the showcase of the county,” he said.

In other business the board hired Patricia Kelly of Uniontown as a part-time secretary at a rate of $6.25 per hour.