Hopwood celebrates new look
HOPWOOD – The village’s new sidewalks and streetscape were dedicated and put to good use Saturday during the 35th annual National Road Festival. Residents and local officials joined U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Hollidaysburg, in a dedication ceremony for the $1 million sidewalk and streetscape project, while the sidewalks were lined with flea markets and vendors selling crafts and all sorts of merchandise and food.
After the ceremony, the red stamped concrete sidewalks, which were completed last fall, provided an ideal view for Hopwood’s annual parade and the arrival of the National Road wagon train, which made its final stop in Uniontown Saturday evening at Mount St. Macrina.
Shuster said he was proud to secure a $600,000 grant for the new sidewalks along historic Route 40.
With tourist attractions Ohiopyle State Park, Fallingwater and Fort Necessity National Battlefield close by, the sidewalk project “completed the loop of tourism in Fayette County,” Shuster said.
Federal earmarks, such as the $600,000 grant, have been criticized, but he said he was happy to deliver the money.
“This earmark is not bad and is not wasteful. It’s your tax dollars,” Shuster said. “I’m in Washington to make sure some of your tax dollars come back to you.”
Patty Tobal of the Hopwood Village Project, the group that led the effort to complete the sidewalk and streetscape project, thanked all those who contributed and helped secure grants for the project.
Along with installing new sidewalks, the project included new streetlights, benches, planters, trees, landscaping and signs.
“It took 10 years to come this day,” Tobal said.
She said the goal of the project was to revitalize Hopwood, create a scenic byway and improve vehicle and pedestrian safety.
Tobal also announced the kick off of the Hopwood 100-mile walking club.
People who walk 100 laps on the 1-mile loop, which is the sidewalk on both sides of Route 40, can get a walking club T-shirt from RX Plus, Tobal said.
She said walkers can take a break on the new benches and walk at night under the new streetlights.
Walkers can also pick up maps and brochures, which tell the stories of the many historic stone buildings in Hopwood, at Wilhelm Chiropractic and Hopwood Fitness Center and Adrian’s Market, Tobal said.
Thomas Frankhouser, a South Union Township supervisor and treasurer of the Hopwood Village Project, said the project benefited from grants from several sources.
In addition to the $600,000 Shuster obtained, the project received a $235,000 Safe Streets and Sidewalks grant from Gov. Ed Rendell, a $135,000 Pennsylvania Transportation Enhancement grant and a $70,000 grant from the National Road Heritage Park, Frankhouser said.
Before the dedication ceremony, Harry McElroy, president of the Hopwood Village Project, and Genevieve Odom, who turns 100 in July, were crowned as this year’s King and Queen of Hopwood.
The National Road Festival continues today on Route 40.