Connellsville looks to improve area as Blueprint Community
CONNELLSVILLE – Could new home construction be the key to drawing more people to Connellsville or would a low-interest loan be an incentive for residents and business owners to spruce up their properties? With the area bike trail being expanded and user numbers annually multiplying, should the city consider constructing a parking lot and installing other trail amenities?
The city’s local Blueprint Community representatives will meet again tonight with those interested in determining what should be the long- and short-term goals for the city.
According to Mayor Judy Reed, the possibilities of what can be done are endless now that the city has been designated as a Blueprint Community by a state task force seeking to improve small rural municipalities throughout the region.
“This is our chance to make a difference,” Reed said during a recent public meeting to establish such projects.
In August, the city was selected for the Blueprint Communities inaugural program that encourages small rural areas to develop a reasonable revitalization plan and then initiate the project. The Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) partnered with the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and other funding agencies to initiate the program.
Reed, along with city redevelopment authority executive director Ralph Wombacker, city clerk David Pinkosky, businessman Dick Oglevee and PNC Bank representative Michele Ruth are the city representatives.
During the recent meeting, the panel along with a variety of community residents, business owners, trail executives and county officials listed nine potential projects that would make Connellsville a better place to live, visit, work and play.
The proposed projects included refurbishing downtown building facades, landscaping of an empty lot at Brimstone Corner and offering rent subsidies to those wanting to start new businesses in vacant buildings.
The committee also discussed the possibility of purchasing the former National Guard Armory and installing a veteran’s museum along with offering it for public or private events.
“We don’t want to lose this valuable piece of our city’s history,” said Reed.
The Washington Avenue armory is listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. The National Guard recently moved to its new facility in Connellsville Township.
Other projects tied to the city’s history included the development of a walking tour that would feature historic sites and churches.
The panel also discussed providing security at city parks and offering programs to draw families and visitors to the sites, along with a new home construction initiative and upgrading the bike trail.
“We’re wanting to look at what is good in the city and build upon that,” said Reed.
The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at the Connellsville Community Center. The public is encouraged to attend.