Officials optimistic about long-range plan
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. – Officials and organization representatives from three local adjoining municipalities are optimistic that a joint long-range plan will lead to a bright future. Officials representing the city of Connellsville, South Connellsville Borough, Connellsville Township, along with the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority and Connellsville Cultural Trust, recently participated in a two-day seminar sponsored by the Local Government Academy as they prepare for the development of a multi-municipal comprehensive plan.
“It is going to take a lot of work,” said Michael Edwards, trust president. “It is also vital that the residents, business owners, young people and church leaders come forward and participate in the planning process.”
A comprehensive plan is a document that details current land uses, such as transportation, public facilities and other physical features of the community and present zoning uses plus a long-term plan for future development and improvement.
The seminar, said Ray Reaves, Local Government Academy multi-municipal planning grant manager, allows the communities to have a better understanding of the planning process and what the state requires of municipal plans.
Connellsville Township Supervisor Sally Stoots said that she envisions a good working relationship with the neighboring communities as they prepare for the future.
“Each community has different assets,” she said. “(The township) has vacant property that could be developed into neighborhood communities.
“The city and the borough does not have a lot of available property for construction of new homes, but, instead, have complementary assets that can be used by those that might choose live in the township.”
The city, said Mayor Judy Reed began its future planning with the Blueprint Community Committee setting long-term goals.
The city was among 22 communities across the state in 2005 chosen by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh, state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and other funding agencies to receive comprehensive training, technical assistance and funding opportunities for hometown revitalization through the Blueprint Communities initiative.
The five projects selected by the committee, including the development of a walkway along the Youghiogheny River, the cosmetic refurbishing of existing downtown businesses and Brimstone corner, the upgrade of the Connellsville Community Center auditorium and the purchase of the Connellsville armory are in the works, said Reed.
“This was a group of people that came together and have developed a vision for Connellsville,” she said. “With the comprehensive plan in place, the city can meet these goals.”
The joint project will put the three communities in the position to secure funds from the DCED and Local Government Academy to defray the costs tied to developing the comprehensive plan.
“This is a very complicated process,” said Ralph Wombacker, executive director of the city redevelopment authority. “Participation in the (Local Government Academy) seminar will give the communities the financial resources to make this all happen.”
With the city’s preparation to become a Main Street Community in conjunction with the development of a comprehensive plan will work to the city’s benefit, he added.
“The timing of this could not be more perfect,” he said.
The Main Street initiative would require the city to establish a five-year strategy for the revitalization of the downtown area to receive nearly $335,000 over the time frame to defray the cost of hiring a business manager and related expenses.
The cultural trust would oversee the Main Street program.
The trust, combined with the Main Street program and implementation of a comprehensive plan, would allow the communities to plan for the future, said Edwards.
“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” he said.
The next step will be for the leaders to sign an inter-municipal agreement, determine which community would serve as lead municipality for funding purposes and prepare the necessary grant applications.
“It will take a lot of time and effort, but if we all work together it will be worth it,” said Stoots.