The BBRP team has recently put together a report that I wanted to share with you all. Below you will find a list of the things we have achieved within the BBRP. This includes a summary of every accomplishment that we have made, large and small, since the inception of the program. Keep in mind that the document is a month old, and we've had quite a busy month, so some of these accomplishments may be a little old!
Program Wide
Design
- Assisted with the creation of a streetscape grant program in Lehigh and Northampton counties.
- Brought in the Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission, Pennsylvania Downtown Center and Preservation PA to tour BBRP Boroughs in order to identify possible historic districts and determine a strategy to encourage their use in the course of our revitalization efforts.
- Completed inventories of Main Street districts in all communities.
Organization
- Hosted numerous training workshops on a variety of areas, including: parking, organization, economic restructuring, safety and security, and fundraising.
- Coordinators and Lehigh County staff have completed formal Main Street and Elm Street training through the Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s Revitalization Academy.
- Chamber and Lehigh County staff have completed Real Estate Development Academy, hosted by the PA Local Government Training Partnership.
- Assisted with the creation of a planning grant program in Lehigh and Northampton Counties.
- Conducted multiple regional meetings comprised of BBRP staff and the chairs of local steering committees.
Promotion
- Received media coverage for events and accomplishments in a variety of local media outlets (WFMZ-TV, Service Electric TV-2, Morning Call, Express Times, East Penn Business Journal, Lehigh Valley Style, Valley Voice, East Penn Press, East Penn News & Saucon Valley News).
Published multiple Op-Eds on the importance of urban (and specifically Borough) revitalization in the Morning Call.
- Published a blog site (http://www.lehighvalleymainstreets.blogspot.com) that is updated multiple times a week.
- Compiled media contact information and press release templates for the committees to send out press releases.
- Published an Events Guide, a step-by-step promotional guide (with suggested activities) which is aimed at assisting our communities in holding promotional events. This guide was also sent to PDC’s Programs & Services Committee to be used as a tool for other communities to utilize.
- Worked with a committee member from one of the participating communities to create a professionally designed logo.
Economic Restructuring
- Compiled list of vacant properties within each borough. The list is updated on a regular basis.
- Worked individually with multiple businesses in all communities, providing assistance and recommendations designed to enhance their success.
- Conducted a Business Survey in all nine boroughs.
- Compiled demographic information on the Lehigh Valley region and in each of the boroughs.
- Met, on an as-needed basis, with new business owners, helping them to open in the communities and provide any assistance and advice necessary in order to help ensure their success.
- Purchased a database of businesses looking for expansion in order to further assist our business recruitment efforts.
Borough-Specific
Alburtis
Design
- Assisted in RFP creation and selection for streetscape project.
- Completed parking inventory and parking study.
- Completed historical plaques project, subsidizing the cost of historical plaques (through private donation) for homes over 100 years old.
- Hosted two holiday historic house tours.
Organization
- Completed visioning & strategic planning process.
- Successfully executed several fundraising events (historical plaque & Holiday House tour).
Promotion
- Developed welcome packets to be distributed to new residents, promoting the entire Borough and its downtown area.
- Presided over ribbon cutting ceremony, generating publicity for newly opened business.
- Assembled promotional plan, listing all events in the Borough and ways in which the committee can assist in the planning, promotion and execution of these events.
Economic Restructuring
- Completed & maintain property inventory.
- Completed & maintain business inventory.
Bangor
Design
- Hosted property beautification contests with awards given to the property owner who best maintains their property.
- Made improvements to Founder’s Park, a pocket park in the downtown, through private donations. The project included the purchase of a bench and some plantings as well as the creation of a paved seating area.
- Developed a plan to improve a pocket park located at the eastern entrance to the downtown. - - The project will included gateway signage and landscaping.
- Developed historical walking tour.
Organization
- The group performed multiple fundraising activities through the various events held in the downtown. To date the organization has about $10,000 in the bank.
- Successfully created the Bangor Main Street Coalition. This Coalition is comprised of various groups and individuals working to revitalize Bangor and the Slatebelt area.
- Assisted in the implementation and facilitation of Regional Leadership Summits, a forum for groups doing economic development in Bangor.
- Encouraged the creation of the Bangor Business Association, a group of business owners that work in tandem with the Bangor BBRP to encourage interest in the downtown and to ensure business owner input.
Promotion
- The Promotion Committee held a variety of events over the course of the year. They include but are not limited to:
- Downtown Dust Up – clean up day for the downtown.
- Car Cruise – downtown car show.
- Heritage Days – 2-day festival celebrating Bangor and the Slatebelt’s Heritage.
- Bike Nite – downtown motorcycle gathering.
- Summer Sounds of Music – concert series designed to bring people into the downtown.
- Octoberfest – fundraiser for the Coalition held at the Bangor Community Park. It involves a haunted train ride, crafts and other activities.
- Bee Hive Reunion – oldies dance that is a fundraiser for the group.
- Easter Bunny parade and scavenger hunt.
- Easter Bunny Pictures.
- Tree Lighting Ceremony and pictures with Santa.
- Christmas on Broadway – week long series of events the week before Christmas to encourage downtown shopping.
- Developed the Slatebelt Economic Development website that highlights the Bangor Main Street Coalition website (http://www.sbed.org).
Economic Restructuring
- Completed & maintain available property inventory.
- Completed & maintain a business inventory.
- Organized a real estate bus tour with Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC).
- Trust Building project – redevelopment of a key downtown property that has been vacant for the last 20 years.
- Successfully brokered a deal between Bangor Economic Development Corporation and developer for a $50,000 loan to the project. The entire project cost is approximately $1.2 million.
- Working with the developer to develop a pro-forma that will be used to secure additional resources for the project. Working with a regional loan pool to finance the remaining funding needed for the project. Also considering applying for an Anchor Building Grant.
Bath
Design
- Over the last three years the Borough of Bath has secured funding for and/or implemented nearly two million dollars worth of improvements to the downtown. Some highlights include:
- Successfully leveraged a $2,000 dollar GLVCC Foundation Grant and a $5,000 dollar Northampton County Streetscape Amenities Grant for a Gateway Signage Project.
- Invested $656,000 in the creation of a downtown park along the Monocacy Creek
- Successfully completed a $690,000 bridge replacement on Main Street.
- Successfully completed $280,000 Phase I for streetscape improvements and are in the planning stages for Phase 2 of which an additional $230,000 has been allocated via a PENNDOT Home Town Streets Grant.
- Held property beautification contests with awards given to the property owner who best maintains their property.
- Helped Borough develop an ordinance to address a property maintenance issue by keeping the sidewalks clear of debris.
Organization
- Performed multiple fundraising activities and were able to raise about $3,000.
Promotional
- Developed and executed two successful Community Days.
- Held a safety and security seminar for local businesses. Partnered with the local police department to develop seminar content.
Economic Restructuring
- Organized a Broker/Developer Tour of Bath with the LVEDC, Nazareth Chamber and Merchants Bank, highlighting local properties available for development.
- Developed a business inventory.
- Developed and maintain a available property inventory.
- Worked with an under-capitalized property owner to sell their property to someone with the means to redevelop it. The property was sold and redevelopment efforts are underway with the new owner.
Catasauqua
Design
- Completed a parking inventory.
- Assisted in the acquisition of a $24,000 grant from Lehigh County for a $32,000 Downtown Master Plan in Catasauqua. The Master Plan which is under development will provide the basis for the overall strategic plan for the Borough.
- Secured and leveraged $19,600 toward a $22,000 streetscape project. The project involves beautifying the Borough Hall via landscaping and new signage. Planters, banners, benches and trash receptacles placed at strategic locations in the downtown. Funding partners for the project include the Borough of Catasauqua, Lehigh County Housing Authority and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Chamber Foundation.
- Successfully lobbied Borough Council for increased street cleaning in downtown.
- Developed gateway and directional signage to promote downtown. The total project cost was approximately $5,000.
- Created detailed design guidelines to compliment the BBRP Façade Program. The guidelines are distributed to property owners looking to make improvement to their properties located in the downtown. The guidelines were printed courtesy of Lehigh County.
Organization
- Partnered with the Catasauqua Chamber of Commerce in an effort to involve more business owners in the BBRP.
- Developed a brochure to educate residents and business owners about the activities of the BBRP.
- Held a series of town meeting to recruit volunteers and inform residents of the activities of the BBRP.
Promotion
- Assisted in the planning and execution of a community event, Fest-O-Fall, in conjunction with the Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association.
- Developed a promotion guide that comprehensively listed all events held in Downtown Catasauqua.
Economic Restructuring
- Developed and maintained a business inventory.
- Developed and maintained an available property inventory.
Coopersburg
Design
- Created flower planter program by purchasing flower planters (through private sponsorships) and maintaining them on the corners of Main & State Streets.
Organization
- Completed visioning & strategic planning process.
- Ratified bylaws.
- Successfully executed fundraising effort (5K run) that raised over $5,000.
- Developed website (http://www.coopersburg.org).
Promotion
- Assisted in execution of annual Community Day.
- Organized successful sidewalk sale.
- Designed, with professional assistance, a specific logo the Coopersburg Business Revitalization Program.
Economic Restructuring
- Completed, “Working with the Borough” guide that provides prospective business owners with a variety of information, including contact numbers, permit information and a step-by-step guide to forming a new business in Coopersburg.
- Completed & maintain property inventory.
- Completed & maintain business inventory.
Hellertown
Design
- Met in Harrisburg with PennDOT officials to determine how to make design and pedestrian safety improvements to Hellertown’s Main Street (also State Route 412).
- Contracted consultant to conduct a parking study, utilizing grant and Borough funds.
- Assisted in creation of property beautification contests with awards given to the property owner who best maintains their property.
Organization
- Completed visioning & strategic planning process.
- Took trip to Doylestown to tour Borough and meet with staff to receive advice on Hellertown’s ongoing revitalization efforts.
- Participated in Comprehensive Plan process and assisted with the creation of a downtown component.
Promotion
- In conjunction with the Hellertown-Lower Saucon Chamber of Commerce, a Restaurant Guide was printed, which promotes the various restaurants and eateries in the Saucon Valley. This guide also includes paid ads which offset the publication costs and has generated a profit for the program.
- Presided over multiple ribbon cutting ceremonies, generating publicity for newly opened businesses.
- Assisted in the development, promotion and execution of Saucon Valley Farmers’ Market.
Assisted in annual community day, providing volunteers and helping to supervise and execute event.
Economic Restructuring
- Met with multiple Hellertown realtors to advertise program and inform them of the benefits of locating a business in Hellertown.
- Completed business inventory.
Macungie
Design
- Assisted in the creation and revisions of Streetscape plan.
- Developed historical walking tour and accompanying brochure, highlighting a dozen historical homes throughout the Borough.
- Completed historical plaque program, highlighting properties that are more than 75 years old.
Organization
- Completed visioning & strategic planning process.
- Organized & executed Macungie Business Night, an event which allowed business owners to network with each other as well as government officials.
Promotion
- Presided over multiple ribbon cutting ceremonies, generating publicity for newly opened businesses.
- Assembled promotional plan, listing all events in the Borough and ways in which the committee can assist in the planning, promotion and execution of these events.
- Assisted in the development, organization, execution and sponsorship acquisition of the Macungie Farmers’ Market in the summer of 2007. Secured over $1,000 in sponsorships and designed advertising program for local businesses.
- Secured sponsorships and assisted in advertising for 150th Anniversary celebrations.
- Secured sponsorships and assisted in advertising, promotion and execution of Macungie Holiday. Secured donations from private businesses and organized a scavenger hunt, resulting in hundreds of new customers visiting local businesses.
Economic Restructuring
- Completed & maintain business inventory.
- Completed & maintain property inventory.
- Completed a “Working with the Borough Guide” for Macungie.
North Catasauqua
Design
- Helped organize and secure funding for a $20,000 sidewalk and lighting project for North Catasauqua’s Sidewalks around their community park.
- Coordinated tour of the borough with PHMC and Preservation PA to identify historic assets.
Promotion
- Developed a map and guide for the local businesses located within the borough to distribute in new business/resident Welcome Packets.
- Successfully held their centennial anniversary celebration, which was featured in the Pennsylvania Association of Boroughs monthly publication, “Borough News.”
Wilson
Design
- Developed a wish list of streetscape amenities for the Borough.
Organization
- Successfully formed the Wilson Borough Business Association.
- Completed a preliminary strategic plan and submitted funding requests to secure resource for the development of an Economic Revitalization Strategy plan.
- Developed website (http://www.wilsonbusiness.org) that includes an available property inventory, comprehensive business directory, online forums, and survey capabilities.
Economic Restructuring
- Developed a comprehensive business inventory for the entire borough.
- Developed an available property inventory.
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