Hellertown Article in Express Times

Downtown struggles to attract shoppers

Adding more retail stores might draw more customers, Hellertown shop owner says.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

By BILL WICHERT

The Express-Times

HELLERTOWN | Kim Embardino has learned her lesson when it comes to holiday shopping on Main Street.

For her first Christmas after starting up Kim's Kountry Kreations, Embardino stayed open until 8 p.m. on Thursdays. The second year, she closed her doors at 7 p.m. Now, the most she does in terms of extra hours is on Sundays between noon and 4 p.m.

"By 6 o'clock, the place is a ghost town," said Embardino, standing behind her shop counter last week. "There's not enough retail. If they could get more into town, it could be more like Bethlehem."

As holiday crowds flock to the Christmas City of Bethlehem, Hellertown is working in the city's shadow to attract more retail businesses and the shoppers who come along with them.

Borough businesses have loyal customers, and some sell the wares of local artisans, but the problem lies with the downtown itself, merchants said. Shoppers might make return trips to specific stores, but they don't always stick around to see what else is further down the street, they said.

"I don't think anyone's going to come to Hellertown to spend the day," said Denise Knauss, co-owner of Klassic Gold, a jewelry shop on Main Street. "Whereas in Bethlehem, they would."

Over the past few years, borough officials and residents created several initiatives to revitalize the shopping experience on Main Street and turn Hellertown into the downtown of the growing Saucon Valley.

Six businesses received $14,500 in state funds this year to improve their facades, and a restaurant guide is coming out next month to promote more than 30 restaurants in the borough, said Mike Schlossberg, the borough business revitalization coordinator for Hellertown. The borough also expects to perform a parking study in the upcoming months with an eye to easing concerns over the perceived lack of downtown parking, he said.

Of the small boroughs in the Valley, Hellertown is one of most fortunate because of its central location, Schlossberg said. Between the upcoming casino in Bethlehem and an expanding population in Saucon Valley, Hellertown has a built-in customer base, he said.

"Hellertown isn't there yet, but it's moving in that direction," Schlossberg said.

The existing collection of downtown businesses, however, might not bring that pedestrian traffic. Of the 140 commercial establishments in the borough, there are only three vacancies, but the majority of businesses are service-oriented, such as nail salons and day spas.

The problem could be seen on the day after Thanksgiving, when the borough held its annual tree-lighting ceremony. A large crowd turned out on Main Street to see the lights turned on and say hello to Santa, but after the ceremony, people went home, said Hellertown Manager Charles Luthar.

"Keeping them downtown is something we have to work on," Luthar said.

Reporter Bill Wichert can be reached at 610-867-5000 or by e-mail at bwichert@express-times.com.

The Facade Program Before and After - A World of Difference

Many of our Facade Program projects are reaching completion, and I wanted to take a second to share the results. Both of these projects are from Coopersburg.

The first is ASERT, LLC. This is the property that was featured in our Facade Program Press Conference. One look at the pictures and you can see why.

Before

After

Wow. As you can see, the entire Facade was repainted, as was the porch, windows and door. Isn't it amazing what a simple coat of paint can do? The windows now stick out in an attractive manner and the building still looks remarkably historically appropriate.

This next property is Frame Your Image, a framing and art shop in Coopersburg. Check out the new sign that the business got.

Before

After

Wow. As you can see, the new sign is clearer, larger and far more colorful. One of my favorite things about this sign is that it ensures it also markets the business by putting its website on the bottom of the sign.

I'll share more pictures as I get them. Happy Holidays!

Facade Program in the News

Hey everyone,

I'm VERY happy to say that our Press Conference yesterday on the Facade Program was a total success. We earned coverage on Channel 69, TV2 and the Morning Call. East Penn Business Journal and the Saucon News are likely to cover the event as well.

Here are links to the Call and 69 stories.

Facade Program Press Conference

NEWS ADVISORY
Executive Cunningham to tout Main Street Façade Program
Will discuss this year’s successes and kick-off program for next year
840 Hamilton Street, Suite 205 – Allentown, PA 18101

MEDIA ADVISORY Contact: Michael Schlossberg
484-809-1796

Façade Program shows State, County, Chamber commitment to urban reinvestment

Coopersburg, PA (November 30) – The Borough Business Revitalization Program will be holding a press conference to discuss this year’s Façade Program and unveil the program for next year. The Façade Program is a 1-1 matching grant program (up to $5,000) whereby private citizens can apply to make exterior improvements to their property. The program is eligible to properties within the downtown districts of participating communities. This year, 37 properties were awarded Façade Grants.

Speakers at the event will be:
· Michael Schlossberg, Borough Business Revitalization Coordinator, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
· William Jacobs, President of ASERT, LLC, recipient of a Façade Grant
· Tony Ianelli, President & CEO, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce
· Brian Jeremiah, Department of Community and Economic Development, Pennsylvania
· Don Cunningham, Lehigh County Executive

The press conference will be held on Monday, December 10, 10:00 AM at ASERT, LLC (110 N. Main Street, Coopersburg). ASERT is the recipient of a $5,000 grant that allowed for the entire property to be painted.

Media coverage is strongly encouraged.

The Borough Business Revitalization Program is a regional Main Street Program. It is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Lehigh & Northampton counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the nine participating Boroughs: Alburtis, Bangor, Bath, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, Hellertown, Macungie, North Catasauqua and Wilson. The goal of the program is to revitalize the urban cores of the participating communities.

Macungie Holiday

NEWS RELEASE
Macungie to hold annual Macungie Holiday
Event will showcase Macungie Main Street and Parks
21 Locust Street – Macungie, PA 18062

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contact: Michael Schlossberg
484-809-1796

Annual festival to be held once again

Macungie, PA (November 30) – Mike Schlossberg, Macungie Business Revitalization Coordinator, has announced that the Macungie Holiday will be held once again this year. “The Holiday is a great way to promote the outstanding merchants of Main Street Macungie, as well as the Borough’s civic spirit, parks system and cultural assets,” said Schlossberg. “It is a great way for families to celebrate the holidays.” The Holiday is a joint activity that is organized by the Macungie Institute, Borough of Macungie, Macungie Business Revitalization Program, Macungie 150th Anniversary Committee, Macungie Business Owners Association and many more.

A series of events will be held throughout the day, including:
· Free Trolley and Mini Bus rides throughout the borough.
· Horse-drawn wagon rides through the Macungie Memorial park.
· Holiday crafts and vendors show at the Macungie Institute.
· “Candyland Station” display at the Macungie Flower Park.
· Breakfast with Santa at the Grace Lutheran Church.
· Decorated Santa hats and a party with Santa at the Macungie Fire Department.
· Free coffee, tea, chocolate and cookies, as well as free Christmas ornaments for children to make and Nativity Scenes from around the world at the Macungie Baptist Church.
· Homemade chili, baked goods & beverages at the Macungie Institute (sponsored by Solomon’s UCC)
· Open house with the Macungie Historical Society.
· Decorative Hand Made Tile show and Sale featuring the work of Ann Bartges (226 E. Main Street)
· Artisan display and sale at 20 W. Main Street.
· Gingerbread display and face painting at Kalmbach Memorial Park.
· Refreshments, snacks, a light lunch and vendors will be at the Macungie Rod & Gun Club.
· The Boy Scouts will showcase their totem pole project & historic trains display at the Macungie Institute.

There will also be a borough-wide scavenger hunt with prizes (for both kids and adults). Over twenty stores and organizations are participating in the event. Furthermore, numerous stores throughout the Borough will feature special sales, promotions and giveaways.



Opening ceremonies (including a special ringing of the Town Clock chimes), will be held on Saturday, December 8, 9:00 AM at the Macungie Institute (510 Main Street, Macungie).

Media coverage is strongly encouraged.

Transition, Change and your Main Street Program

I have some interesting information that was given to me by Geoff Brace, Eastern Regional Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. It pertains to Main Street committees and their evolution.

If you volunteer for a Main Street program, I'm sure that you know that this is not an overnight process. Urban revitalization takes a long time and requires years to be truly effective. In the short-term, it may seem like nothing is happening. In the long run, however, a properly executed Main Street revitalization effort can completely change your downtown.

Below are the three distinct phases of Main Street programs. This information is particularly interesting to me, given the timing of our BBRP program. We are only a few months into our third year, which is right on the cusp of the two phases. See below for more information...

Catalyst Phase: The organization is first created. During this phase, the organization learnes basic revitalization skills, builds collaborative partnerships and establishes a credible presence in the comminity (Years 1 - 4).

Growth Phase: During this phase, most of the major activities of the organization take place. Major renovation projects take place as well (Years 3-8).

Management Phase: With most of the major activities completed, the major activity of the organization becomes the maintenance already realized gains. The group constantly monitors the marketplace and helps the district make the necessary economic adjustments. It ensures that the district is well maintained and continues to stimulate physical improvements and economic innovations (Years 8 and beyond).

How Much Parking Does Your Main Street Have? The Answer May Surprise You

One of the CONSTANT problems that I have run into during my time as a Main Street Coordinator is parking. Many residents and business owners on Main Streets are convinenced that there is no enough parking available on Main Street.

It's understandable why so many people may think that. After all, when Main Streets were first built, they were meant to accomidate horses and carraiges - not exactly automobiles with parking lots. However, as our society has become more auto-dependant, parking has obviously become more of an issue. The structure of buildings and streets have changed.

A perfect example of this is Hamilton Boulevard. First, think of 9th and Hamilton in Allentown. Street parking is available and parking lots are placed in the back of buildings. As a result, buildings are closer to the sidewalk and the entire area is very pedestrian friendly. These streets are build to encourage pedestrian traffic.

Now go west down the same street into Upper Macungie. Suddenly, buildings are hundreds of feet back from the curb. The speed limit has increased, there are five lanes for traffic and sidewalks are either not used or non-existant. Parking lots are in the front of buildings and always have far more spaces then necessary. These areas were build to encourage vehicular traffic.

As a result, the perception exists that Main Streets do not have adequate parking to meet the needs of its businesses and residents. But here is the question: how accurate is that perception?

In Alburtis, David Kutzor (Chair of the Alburtis Business Revitalization Committee) completed a parking study. Dave counted every parking space available within the Main Street area (Main and Franklin Streets and all streets within one block of this area) for businesses, residents and parking lots.

Within this space, there are 59 properties. For these 59 properties, there are 430 parking spaces. In other wrods, for every property, there are roughly six parking spaces. The conclusion is that there is more than enough parking for businesses and residents.

Kind of interesting, don't you think?

Highly Recommended Reading

To all of our dedicated volunteers,

I have a report that I think you might all be interested in reading. It's called Turning Around Downtown: Twelve Steps to Revitalzation and is published by the Brookings Institution. Basically, it's a guide to downtown revitalization and I highly recommend it. Click here for the link. From the website:

"Though every downtown is different there are still common revitalization lessons that can be applied anywhere. While any approach must be customized based on unique physical conditions, institutional assets, consumer demand, history, and civic intent, this paper lays out the fundamentals of a downtown turnaround plan and the unique "private/public" partnership required to succeed. Beginning with visioning and strategic planning to the reemergence of an office market at the end stages, these 12 steps form a template for returning "walkable urbanism" downtown."

Chamber to seek $4 million for Valley's downtowns

By Jeanne Bonner Of The Morning Call

October 9, 2007

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce plans to raise at least $4 million for an urban revitalization initiative it announced earlier this year.

The fundraising target is more than double the initial estimate the Chamber made in March. The more ambitious figure emerged after a feasibility study this summer found strong support for a wider role for the Chamber in reducing storefront vacancies and boosting jobs in the downtowns of the Valley's cities and boroughs.

The group could begin disbursing funds to worthy projects as early as this month. The Chamber's foundation, which will spearhead the five-year initiative, received its first seed money last week when it sold the organization's longtime Bethlehem office for $415,000.

Later this month, a fundraising firm the Chamber hired will begin tapping donors, some of whom are expected to not only make sizable pledges but also recruit other companies and individuals to do the same.

''The people we interviewed…told us they were overwhelmingly convinced the Chamber needed to take on this initiative. Most businesses felt the urban cores were lacking in attention,'' said Tom Micelotta, a consultant with National Community Development Services of Atlanta who conducted the feasibility study and is leading the fundraising effort.

Tough tasks remain ahead for the Chamber. For example, many of the 60 leaders surveyed for the study expressed doubt the Chamber could raise millions of dollars, even over the projected period of five years. The Chamber also has its eye on public funds, but it's far from certain whether the state or Lehigh and Northampton counties will contribute.

Others expressed concern about staff turnover at the Chamber and questioned whether the organization has the leadership to take on this initiative.

There's also concern about duplicating efforts. In the confidential interviews Micelotta conducted, some Valley leaders said that if the foundation undertakes economic development in the area's cities and boroughs, it could interfere with the work of the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.

According to the study, one respondent asked, ''How will this conflict with LVEDC's efforts?''

That's partly because under its previous president, Beth Gorin, LVEDC was exploring a larger role in urban development.

''When it comes to the downtowns and the cities, we are leaning toward letting the cities and the Chamber work with that,'' LVEDC spokesman Joe McDermott said Friday. ''The Chamber and the cities are in the best position to work on downtown issues, particularly as it pertains to retail and small businesses.''

People involved in the day-to-day struggles of the downtowns say the cities and the boroughs need all the help they can get, and it's essential that the business community gets behind revitalizing the urban cores once and for all.

Alan Jennings, executive director of the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, an anti-poverty agency, said it would not be a problem if the Chamber and LVEDC -- ''the two 800-pound gorillas in the business community'' -- competed to take the lead in revitalizing the area's cities and boroughs.

''That's progress,'' he said in an interview last week.

The Chamber's leaders see revitalization of the Valley's cities and boroughs as a moral and economic imperative. The Valley's population and economy have grown at a near-record pace this decade, but most of the expansion has occurred in suburban office parks and housing subdivisions.

Between 1998 and 2007, the collective tax base of the region's three main cities grew 4.2 percent. By contrast, the tax base of all of the Valley's townships grew 39 percent in that period, according to assessment data gathered by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission.

The Chamber also sees it as a logical segue to the organization's push to become the regional voice of the business community. The organization, originally the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, spent the late 1990s and the early part of this decade merging with smaller chambers and other business groups. With 4,800 members, it's now the second-largest chamber in the state.

In 2003, the Chamber turned its focus to revitalizing the area's cities, with a pilot program in Allentown. The group has provided staff to work with downtown merchants on events such as musical performances on Fridays in the summer.

Two years ago, the Chamber helped Easton land a five-year state Main Street grant, which seeks to revitalize downtown commercial districts. The Chamber also helped orchestrate an ongoing $90,000 state grant to pay the salaries of downtown managers in nine boroughs.

There's been progress, but longtime residents, especially in the small boroughs, hunger for new businesses. Chamber officials say small programs and grants are not enough.

''What's always frustrated me is we have this leadership and this focus on downtowns, but we have no funding to impact change. It's all rhetoric and no dollars,'' Chamber President Tony Iannelli said in an interview last week. ''What I like about this is, we can put our money where our mouth is. Instead of cheerleading and building boards and organizations, we can raise money and make a change.''

Providing matching funds for state revitalization initiatives such as the Main Street program will probably be one of the foundation's goals. That's needed assistance because the state funding is minimal and because guidelines often require the municipalities in the program to find matching funds, Jennings said.

He also wants them to aggressively market the ''concept of downtowns'' through the Valley. The foundation is also exploring the possibility of creating a loan pool.

Northampton might be one of the first recipients of money from the foundation. The borough has approached the Chamber about buying and installing banners in the borough, officials said.

Bethlehem has asked for money for a transportation study. It also might tap the foundation for help with its Elm Street program, which seeks to revitalize older neighborhoods near downtowns, said Tony Hanna, the city's director of community and economic development.

Hanna said of the organizations involved in economic development, the Chamber is possibly the only group that has ties to small and large businesses, retailers and boroughs and cities.

''I think the foundation truly makes the Chamber relevant,'' Hanna said. ''It gives the Chamber a connection.''

At the end of this month, Micelotta will contact about 40 community leaders who were identified during the feasibility study as possible fundraising campaign coordinators.

Among those names is Hank Barnette, chairman emeritus of Bethlehem Steel. Barnette, who was interviewed as part of the feasibility study, said if asked, he would help with fundraising.

''If a group of well-intentioned civic leaders gives a problem such as this strategic thought and devises a tactical short-term implementation plan, and they are willing to address the problem, we should support that, and give them the benefit of our support,'' he said.

Others sounded more caution.

In a brief interview on Thursday, Mike Gausling, co-founder of OraSure Technologies in Bethlehem, said he was not aware of the Chamber's foundation and its urban revitalization initiative.

He said he does not know if he will give money to it or not, because he recently launched Originate Ventures, a venture capital firm. He's been refurbishing a former firehouse in south Bethlehem where the fund is based.

Similarly, Tim Holt of Air Products and Chemicals in Trexlertown, one of the region's largest employers, was named as a possible leader for the campaign. Holt, who sat for an interview for the feasibility study, was unavailable for comment last week.

Laurie Gostley-Hackett, the corporation's manager for community relations and philanthropy, said while the company is happy to be part of the foundation's development council, Air Products will take a wait-and-see approach.

''We don't know enough about the foundation yet, so it's too early to comment,'' she said in an e-mail. ''As we learn more about the foundation and the initiatives, we'll be in a better position to study each project on its merits and then make the decision on our involvement.''

Micelotta, who will be living in south Bethlehem for the next year while he works with the foundation, brushed away the doubts as a natural reaction to a brand-new campaign.

''I call it cautious optimism,'' Micelotta said.

jeanne.bonner@mcall.com

Main Street & Elm Street Training

Better develop your Organization and Economic Restructuring Committees!
Meet with fellow Main Street & Elm Street volunteers to share ideas!

Geoff Brace, PA Downtown Center Eastern Regional Coordinator, will present the basics in structuring Organization and Economic Restructuring committees and the Borough
Business Revitalization Program team will facilitate volunteer discussions.

Thursday, November 1, 6 – 8
Northampton Community College
Fowler Family Southside Center, 511 E. 3rd Street, Bethlehem

RSVP
By Friday, October 26
Mark Hartney 610-739-1517
markh@lehighvalleychamber.org


Directions to the Fowler Family Southside CenterFrom East or West: Follow Rt. 378 S to the Third Street exit. Merge left onto Third Street and follow to the 500 block

Northampton County Grants

Since 2006, Lehigh County has run a grant program that gives grants to municipalities. These grants cover streetscape amenities and planning.

I am pleased to say that Northampton County has launched its own grant programs. There are two. First, there is a streetscape amenities grant that will fund up to 50% (up to $5,000) of a streetscape project. Second, there is a planning grant that will go towards the creation of a downtown or master plan. This time, Northampton will fund up to 75% of a planning project.

I am more than happy to provide anyone with additional information.
~Mike

Two Helpful Links

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to pass on two links that might be good resources for you all. Obviously, we are not the only Main Street program in Pennsylvania, or even the country for that matter. These two links should be helpful as they provide information on the Main Street program as well as links to other very valuable resources for anyone involved in a Main Street effort.

First, there's the website for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. They are the group that is contracted by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) to administer the Main Street Program.

Second, there is the National Trust Main Street Center. This is the nation-wide version of the PDC and they have a lot of information on Main Street programs throughout America.

Enjoy!

So What Do You Want To Know?

So, I pose a question to all of our dedicated volunteers out there - what are you looking to learn about Main Street? Here's why I ask. One of our goals this year is to conduct at least four trainings - two from the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and two others taught by us. But, here is the question: What areas do you want to know about? In what areas can we help you and your committee grow as a volunteer? Below are some suggestions.
1) Economic Restructuring: This is an area where I many people have said that are confused by. Economic Restructuring - the process by which businesses are maintained, improved upon and recruited - is arguably the most important area of the Main Street program. But it's also one of the least understood
2) Volunteer Recruitment: Some committees have said that they have problems in terms of recruiting volunteers into the program and ensuring that volunteers along Main Street or in Borough government are engaged in the program. This may be an area worth exploring, since an active volunteer base is vital to the continued existence of a Main Street committee.
3) Governance: Of course, one of the goals for our Main Street committees is the continued health and existence of the committee. Accordingly, we want to ensure that our committee can govern itself, meaning possibly hold elections, manage its own money, and/or apply and achieve its own 501c3 status.
4) Fundraising: Any Main Street community needs money to be able to pay for projects! With this sort of training, we can give tips on how to hold successful fundraisers and maximize the amount of money that you can raise.
5) Anything else you want! We are obviously open to suggestions and want to hear your thoughts. Please comment below or E-mail me at MikeS@lehighvalleychamber.org. Hope to hear from you soon!

Op-Ed on Lehigh Valley Downtowns

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to share an Op-Ed regarding the importance of downtown's in today's Morning Call. The Op-Ed can be accessed here. I'm ATTEMPTING to be modest here, but I wrote it. If you can't access the link, the story is below. My only regret is that I couldn't write about more of our Boroughs!

Enjoy!

-----------------------

Valley's boroughs offer more than one-stop malls
By Michael Schlossberg
August 30, 2007

The Lehigh Valley is exploding with new people and businesses, gaining an average of 25 new residents a day. The result has been an explosion of jobs and economic activity. Once known for Bethlehem Steel and other manufacturing companies, the Lehigh Valley is rapidly transforming into a professional and service haven for the entire mid-Atlantic region.

The growth that comes with this development does not come without its challenges. Population in our cities and boroughs has remained relatively stagnant while the population of our townships has exploded. In 1960, the population of Allentown was about 108,000, while the population of Lower Macungie was about 4,000. Today, Allentown's population is an estimated 106,000 (a decrease of about 2 percent) while Lower Macungie's is estimated to be 26,000 (an increase of about 550 percent, making it the fastest growing municipality in Pennsylvania). Meanwhile, since the 1970s, Pennsylvania has lost an amount of open space that is roughly the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

Malls and big-box stores like Walmart have seen their business explode, while downtown businesses have withered away. Office and professional services have moved from the urban core to massive and faceless industrial parks, isolated from their communities.

Despite these trends, downtowns remain of the utmost importance to the health of the Lehigh Valley. Nationwide, downtown businesses still provide 30 percent of all jobs and 40 percent of tax revenue for government. They also represent a type of business that nation-wide chains can never replicate: local businesses that know your community inside and out. These stores have a local flavor; their products and shops will be different from any store you will ever be in again.
On average, downtown merchants and restaurants pay their employees better than their nationwide counterparts. Accordingly, every time you shop locally, you are helping contribute to a thriving local economy.

It is important to remember that the urban sections of the Lehigh Valley are more than just Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton. Indeed, there are 28 boroughs that over 97,000 of Lehigh Valley residents call home. These boroughs range in size from 300 to 11,000, but all contain their own distinct character, business district and events. A walk through Emmaus (recently named Money Magazine's 87th best place to live in America) will yield a rich array of homes, public parks, historical properties and over 100 different restaurants and businesses. Macungie boasts a thriving Main Street filled with unique shops, two yearly festivals (Das Awkscht Fescht and the Wheels of Time), Macungie Memorial Park and a weekly farmers market that is in its first year. A visit to the Hellertown guarantees good eating, with 35 restaurants and eateries located within 1.5 square miles.

Across the country, it looks as if the tides of business and consumer preference are turning back toward Main Street. According to revitalization statistics, more than $41.6 billion have been reinvested in improving Main Street properties in 2006 alone. During the same year, over 75,000 new businesses were created, with nearly 350,000 new jobs. Locally, through the Main Street and Elm Street programs run by Pennsylvania, all three cities and 10 boroughs are receiving state funding to cover expenses related to urban revitalization.

Private and public partnerships have emerged, and these partnerships are critical to the success of any downtown area. Lehigh and Northampton counties, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Foundation have combined efforts to form the Borough Business Revitalization Program, a regional pilot Main Street program that has resulted in nine boroughs sharing two Main Street coordinators. This program has also administered a façade grant program, whereby state money is used as an incentive for exterior improvements. Utilizing state money, as well as other public and private funds, more than $130,000 will be infused into Lehigh and Northampton properties.

Also, Lehigh County's Department of Community and Economic Development created two grant programs for Main Street Initiatives and has awarded $134,712 to seven municipalities for streetscape beautification efforts. Northampton County will be following suit.

People across the Valley (and really, across the country) are starting to realize that downtowns just offer more than any mall or massive one-stop shopping center can ever deliver.

Michael Schlossberg is the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce borough business revitalization coordinator for Alburtis, Coopersburg, Hellertown & Macungie.

Express Times covers Saucon Valley Restaurant Guide

Hi everyone,

Hellertown and Lower Saucon Township have partnered to publish the Saucon Valley Restaurant Guide, publication of which is expected in November. The guide is self-explanatory - it will have a listing of the 48 restaurants in the Saucon Valley area, as well as contact information, descriptions and coupons. The Express-Times did a story on the guide yesterday, the text of which is below.

------------------------------------
Restaurant guide in works

Hellertown project will highlight 48 restaurants in borough and Lower Saucon.
Sunday, August 26, 2007

By KRISTEN ZIEGLERThe Express-Times
The festival-like atmosphere of Community Day and the fresh produce available at the farmers market have already exposed some people to Hellertown, but officials hope to capitalize even more on its small-town appeal by introducing a restaurant guide.

"The borough is blessed with a lot of different restaurants. You look up the block and there is the Hungarian restaurant and the Braveheart Pub with the Scottish flavor to it," said borough Manager Charles Luthar.

The guide will spotlight the borough's 35 restaurants along with 13 more in Lower Saucon Township, said Mike Schlossberg, Hellertown manager of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce's Business Revitalization Program.

Each restaurant listing will identify the variety of food served, smoke-free facilities and those that offer Internet access. It will also note the restaurant's cost range, whether it serves alcohol and if it has a children's menu, Schlossberg said.

The $2,100 project will yield 6,000 guides to be distributed to area residents and placed in local hotels and tourist attractions. The guides are expected to be distributed before the end of the year, Schlossberg said.

"We are trying to bring more business into the borough restaurants (because they) are key to any downtown revitalization project," Schlossberg said.

Luthar envisioned Bethlehem tourists or Lehigh University visitors using the guide to locate restaurants outside the city, but Schlossberg said those visitors might also be enticed by the shops on Main Street.

Any effort to draw people downtown is appreciated by local restaurants, said Kenneth McLaughlin, manager of the Braveheart Highland Pub and Restaurant, 430 Main St. "It's free advertising," he said.

The restaurant already sees a steady stream of customers from a local hotel's guide. This project will just provide additional exposure, he said.

From there, the pub can rest on its merits: it's smoke-free and the only authentic Scottish bar in the Lehigh Valley, McLaughlin boasted.

"Anyone who walks in the door will come back," he said.

Lehigh and Northampton Counties taking care of Main Street

Okay, I'll start this post by admiting I am incredibly biased.

I've always felt that the role of county government should be two-fold: First, they should serve as a safety net for residents who need assistance. Second, they should attempt to coordinate regional efforts in areas where our boroughs, cities and townships need assistance. I am pleased to say that both counties have made remarkable strides in the past couple of years towards fulfilling these goals, and in particular, in caring for the urban cores of the Lehigh Valley.

This year, Lehigh County has greatly expanded their Main Street program. In addition to having a full-time staffer dedicated to Main Streets and downtowns (Virginia Savage, Director of Main Streets Initatives), they have given out over $130,000 in grants towards Main Street communities.

• $24,000 for a Downtown Master Plan in Catasauqua
• $24,000 for a Streetscape plan in Macungie
• $11,212 for a Streetscape plan in Alburtis
• $8,000 for Streetscape amenities in Slatington
• $37,500 for an Urban Core Strategic Plan in Allentown (which will focus on housing)
• $30,000 for a Bethlehem Streetscape plan

Meanwhile, Northampton County is quickly moving towards implimenting a similar grant program, as they are in the process of confirming a funding source to enact similar planning and streetscape grants.

Good to see that both counties care about Main Street.

Saucon Valley Farmer's Market

Hi everyone, Just wanted to give you all a quick update on the Saucon Valley Farmers' Market, one of our many local Markets here in the Valley. Shelley from Hellertown asked me to post these pictures from Hawaiian Day at the Farmers' Market:

From left to right: Bud Prosser, Hellertown Mayor Richard Fluck, Shelley Goldberg, Stanley Wohlbach, Betty Tarquin

Lorraine Torella, Stanley Wohlbach

The Saucon Farmers' Market also has a special event coming up. On September 9, Harry Rinker of WAEB's "Watcha Got?" will be doing his show live from the Market (parking lot of KNBT, 741 Main Street in Hellertown) from 8:00 to 10:00, followed by appraials from 10:00 - 2:00. Tickets are $10. For more information, please contact Shelley Goldberg at sgold1111@aol.com.

Strategic Planning - Yes, it really really matters

So, how many of you volunteers out there have heard the words "Strategic Planning" and promptly run the other way? :) If you are like most people, than you have probably groaned at the mention of those dreaded words.

Strategic planning is on my mind today because we have been working very hard towards creating a strategic plan for the entire BBRP program AND for each individual borough. I wanted to take a second and list the reasons as to WHY a plan is so important.

Strategic Planning – Why it is Important

1. It’s Required: As part of the original contract signed by all participating boroughs, the development of a Strategic Plan is a required component of the grant which enables our program to exist. Accordingly, the Department of Community & Economic Development has asked the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to conduct yearly evaluations of all Main Street programs. Failure to develop a Strategic Plan will result in a lower score on our evaluation.
   
2. It’s Necessary for Grants: Downtown Reinvestment Grants, Anchor Grants and Hometown Street Grants all require that a Strategic Plan has been enacted. The rational for this is to ensure that any grant money is part of a comprehensive, long-term plan; this way, grant money won’t be wasted. Both PennDOT and the DCED want to see how grant money will fit into a communities needs and plans. Without a long term plan, grant money such as this is impossible to obtain.
   
3. It’s Necessary for Future Funding: The Main Street program has already achieved a variety of successes. Upon the completion of the BBRP program, all boroughs will be eligible to apply to become a Main Street or Elm Street community in their own right. However, funding for these programs is extremely competitive. A Strategic Plan ensures the DCED that the community applying will not waste their money and will confirm that the community is serious about becoming a Main Street community. Having a Strategic Plan is a necessary component of future funding.
   
4. Priorities are important: One of the key components of a Strategic Plan is that it determines the priorities of what a community wants to see improved and in what areas those improvements can be made. Needs can be prioritized by items that need greater attention. This enables a community to have a comprehensive vision as to what it wants done.
   
5. Investment Opportunities: One of the key components of the Main Street program is the development of partnerships between areas of the public and private sectors. However, potential private sector investors (such as banks, hospitals and other local businesses) will view Main Street in a similar fashion that they view any other investment opportunity: they’ll want to know what will be achieved with their investment. A Strategic Plan goes a long way towards demonstrating a real desire to succeed and a working knowledge of what a community wishes to achieve. In this sense, a Strategic Plan is another component to a comprehensive fundraising strategy.
   
6. Allows a Borough to see what it is working toward: Operating without a Strategic Plan is similar towards driving down an unfamiliar road without a map: you can’t possibly know if where you are going is where you really want to be. The development of a Strategic Plan is the development of that road map. This way, you can be sure that any work that you engage in within your community will absolutely move you in the direction you want it to go.

Macungie Farmers' Market and Senator Wonderling

Hi everyone,

Senator Rob Wonderling has a web video on our very own Macungie Farmers' Market. The video features the Market and Chris Boehm, Macungie Borough Manager. To view the video, click here.

Local Legislators Commited to the Valley

Hi everyone,

In order for any Main Street program to succeed, it requires support from members of both the public and private sector. Accordingly, I have been setting up meetings with members of the legislative delegation of all of my communities (Representatives Beyer, Reichley and Freeman and Senators Boscola, Wonderling and Browne). Each year, legislators are given a certain amount of money that they can give out in the form of grants. Obviously, this money represents a valuable form of financial assistance that is available to a Main Street program.

So far, I have had meetings with Representative Beyer and Senator Browne, seeking grant money for the 2008 Facade Program. So far, each legislator has delivered. Representative Beyer has committed to a $5,000 grant for the Facade Program in Coopersburg, and Senator Browne has committed to a $5,000 grant in Alburtis.

Obviously, this is outstanding news, and I want to thank Representative Beyer and Senator Browne for their commitment to Coopersburg and Alburtis. I am hopeful to have similar success with the rest of the legislative delegation as well.

Main Street, Nazareth

Looks like we've got a new Main Street Program coming to down. Welcome, Nazareth!

http://www.pennlive.com/expresstimes/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1185682178191930.xml&coll=2

Another event in Easton

This one comes from Kim Kmetz:

Enjoy the warm nights and cool sounds of…..

Summer Jazz in the Square

Presented by Easton Business Assoc. and Easton Main Street Initiative

Fridays July 27^th and August 31^st

7-9pm

Centre Square, Downtown Easton

FREE!

Pianist, Patrick Poladian and guitarist, Frank Belinc

For more info., call 610-330-9940

We also are promoting “After 5 Fridays” in the downtown all summer long with more than 25 merchants staying open until 8pm on Friday evenings in addition to our many fine restaurants, many of which offer al fresco dining.

Blueberry Festival

This message comes from our friends in Bethlehem! Looks like an outstanding event.

Have a great weekend!
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Join us for the Blueberry Festival This Weekend! Join us this weekend for Historic Bethlehem's Blueberry Festival, taking place at Burnside Plantation (1461 Schoenersville Road) on July 20, 21 and 22, 2007. Grammy Award-winning artists Bill Miller and Tom Chapin will perform, and visitors of all ages will enjoy the "Classic American Automobile Collection" of Nicola Bulgari. Juried Crafts, children's activities and a blueberry pie-eating contest are among the many activities scheduled during this 3-day event. Sponsored by Your Philadelphia Area Cadillac Dealers, the official principal sponsor of the Blueberry Festival. For more information call 610-691-6055 or stop by the Visitor's Center in Historic Bethlehem.

Congrats to Emmaus!!

A Morning Call article released today reports that Emmaus has been ranked 87th on Money Magazine's top 100 places to live in America. No doubt that this is due, in no small part, to the work of their Main Street committee and Manager, Teri Madison. Congrats to Emmaus on this accomplishment!

For a link to the article, click here.

Facade Program

Happy Monday!

This entry comes from Mark Hartney and I. It discussed our Facade Program, which is one of my favorite aspects of the Main Street program. Details are below.

Downtowns were once a vibrant center of activity for the boroughs and a source of civic pride, thanks in no small part to the outstanding state of the properties. Sadly, in many places, that time has come and gone.

However, thanks to new interest in our downtowns, Main Streets are beginning to come back. Recently the BBRP, a public/private partnership between the GLVCC, GLVCC Foundation and Lehigh and Northampton Counties, rolled out a façade improvement program. The matching grant reimbursement program is sponsored from a variety of public and private sources. The program has been well received with interest from 57 properties, and preliminary project estimates ranging from $470,000 - $593,000. The current levels of interest far exceed the amount of available grant funds.

We would like to thank the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development, as well as Lehigh and Northampton Counties for their leadership and investment in this initiative. In addition, we also want to thank Sovereign Bank, Merchants National Bank, and East Penn Bank for their participation and support of the façade program. As you can see from the overwhelming response, the Façade Program is providing an incentive for businesses to invest in their properties and downtown. The Lehigh Valley is only as strong as its downtowns, and with the success of programs like these, we are confident that downtown’s revival is underway.

Congrats to Easton

Hi everyone. I have two really interesting articles regarding Easton, curtosy of Mark Hartney. Congrats to the city and their volunteers for all their hard work!

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b3_3preserve.5940909jul12,0,6891693.story
http://lafayette.edu/news.php/view/10541/

The articles discuss Easton's successful participation in the Preserve America program, a program run by the Federal Government and subsequent recognition by First Lady Laura Bush as program participants.

Happy Friday!

Farmers' Markets in your communities

Hello again everyone! First, welcome to all the volunteers and officials who are visiting this blog for the first time. Summer is here, and there is no better time than summer to shop locally. In the spirit of taking advantage of the beautiful weather, I wanted to take a second to advertise some of the Farmers' Markets that we have in the Lehigh Valley. All of our markets sell items that are grown and produced by local Farmers - buying from these Farmers ensures that you are supporting your community by spending money in it. The food is fresher, tastes better, and healthier for you than the food you will get at supermarkets. There is no doubt that there are quite a few excellent reasons for buying food at your local Farmers' Market.

Want to check out your local market? Well, there are PLENTY of options:

Allentown Farmers' Market: Thursday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am - 8:00 pm, Saturday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, located at the Allentown Fairgrounds on 17th and Chew.
Bethlehem Farmers' Market: Thursday, 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm, located at W. 3rd Street between New and Brodhead.
Easton Farmers' Market: Saturday, 8:00 am - 1:00 pm, Easton Centre Square.
Emmaus Farmers' Market: Sunday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, parking lot of KNBT (235 Main Street, Emmaus).
Macungie Farmers' Market: Thursday, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, parking lot of the Macungie Pub (126 E. Main Street, Macungie).
Saucon Valley Farmers' Market: Sunday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm, parking lot of KNBT (741 Main Street, Hellertown).

I am sure this is an incomplete list - please know that if I left anything out I will be more than happy to update accordingly. Happy eating!

Mike Schlossberg

Welcome to our Virtual Main Street!

Hi everyone! This is Mike Schlossberg with the Borough Business Revitalization Program. First, let me welcome you to our blog and explain a little bit about who we are and what we are trying to do here.

The Borough Business Revitalization Program is a regional Main Street program that is run through the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. We are a partnership of the GLVCC, Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development, Lehigh and Northampton counties, and the nine participating boroughs (Alburtis, Bath, Bangor, Catasauqua, Coopersburg, Hellertown, Macungie, North Catasauqua and Wilson). The goal of this program is to revitalize the Main Streets of these nine boroughs. There are two coordinators for this program - myself (mikes@lehighvalleychamber.org) and Mark Hartney (markh@lehighvalleychamber.org).

We are not, by any stretch of the imagination, the only organization that is trying to help Main Streets across the Valley. There are other Main and Elm Street programs throughout the Valley, and I am hopeful that they will take part in this blog as well.

My goal for this blog is that we can all use it to share ideas, events and information that can assist us all in our revitalization efforts. At the same time, I want to make sure that the public at large is familiar with our efforts. It has become abundantly clear over the past few years that the internet is an outstanding medium for communication, and I think that any organization that fails to properly utilize it is doing a grave disservice to themselves. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite any Main Street Coordinator and Manager, as well as any Downtown Manager and urban revitalization specialist, to participate in this blog. In particular, I want to ask our outstanding volunteers to feel free to participate as well. I encourage you to respond to posts in the "comments" section that follows each blog, as well as E-mail me (again, Mikes@lehighvalleychamber.org) with posts that you would like me to display on the blog.

Again, it is my pleasure to bring our Main Street and revitalization efforts to the internet! I hope to hear from you all soon!

Mike Schlossberg
mikes@lehighvalleychamber.org