Organization proposes storefront improvement program for Connellsville
John F. Brothers|Herald-Standard
Businesses in downtown Connellsville now have the opportunity to apply for a grant to assist in sign or facade improvements. Downtown Connellsville, a locally funded “Main Street” initiative, is providing the opportunity. Riverwalk Antiques & Collectables (shown) is an example of how the organization is encouraging business facades to look.
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Downtown Connellsville, a locally funded “Main Street” initiative, wants to see improvements to the city’s vacant storefront windows. The organization proposed an ordinance to Connellsville City Council on Wednesday that would establish a storefront improvement program.
CONNELLSVILLE — A local organization is continuing in its efforts to beautify Connellsville’s business district.
Downtown Connellsville, a locally funded “Main Street” initiative, proposed an ordinance to City Council on Wednesday that would establish a storefront improvement program.
“We’re trying to bring more people and business into downtown,” said Dan Cocks, a Downtown Connellsville committee member. “When you bring prospective buyers into downtown, you want to showcase your area as a top-notch place to have a business.”
The ordinance, if adopted by City Council, would establish a process to implement design guidelines for window coverings in an effort to enhance the appearance and/or interest in the storefronts of vacant buildings.
It also would establish a process for the review and approval of vacant storefront windows in Connellsville’s commercial zones.
Furthermore, the proposed ordinance requires property owners to register vacancies with the city’s health and code officer within 10 days of the vacancy occurring, and the owner must participate in the storefront improvement program.
“These unkempt storefronts are just one factor to the loss in tax revenue and the possibility for jobs in the city,” Cocks said.
The purpose of the ordinance, Cocks said, is to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents by preventing blight, protecting property values and downtown integrity, avoiding the creation and maintenance of nuisances and to ensure the safe and sanitary maintenance of dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings.
According to Cocks, the ordinance took about a month to prepare and was put together by Downtown Connellsville committee members.
Cocks said the storefront windows have not changed in the 10 years he has been a resident of Connellsville.
He said some storefront windows currently contain dead birds, trash, soiled curtains, broken and dirty windows and unkempt sidewalks.
“If I saw that as a tourist, I wouldn’t want to stop here,” Cocks said.
“I would just drive right through. If they clean up these windows and instead put historical information and tourist information in the windows, it will make it more attractive.”
Storefront window improvement programs have been adopted by other cities, including Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
The program in Cleveland Heights combines rebates and loans with free city design assistance to make storefront and signage improvements in targeted commercial districts.
Cocks said the proposed ordinance for Connellsville would have no fiscal impact on the city’s budget.
Cocks recommended council members to review the draft of the ordinance, provide direction to Downtown Connellsville for any revisions and place the ordinance on the city’s November council agenda.
“It’s time to stop the politics as usual,” he said. “We as a community need to stand together to improve the quality of life, and attract more people and businesses to Connellsville. Please help us, with this ordinance, clean up some parts of the downtown and try to help stop the decline of the population.”
Council members did not take action regarding the ordinance on Wednesday, but said they plan to review it.
Also Wednesday, City Council approved a bench placement program initiated by Downtown Connellsville.
Cocks said the intent of the program is to increase the amount of public seating on downtown streets.
The organization is installing benches at retail corridors, and in areas that have high concentrations of senior citizens and bike traffic.
“These benches will make streets more comfortable for pedestrians and make Connellsville a more attractive place to walk and shop,” he said.
Cocks said the benches were purchased by Downtown Connellsville through hotel tax proceeds administered by the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau.
The benches will be located outside of several businesses including, Bikes Unlimited, River Walk Antiques, Atkins Music and ArtWorks Connellsville.