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PENNSYLVANIA DOWNTOWN CENTERS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER IS004 SUMMER 2013

The Pennsylvania Cable Network discovers Main Street page 4

Two PA communities hold Pennsylvania strong in national GAMSA Downtown Center process p. 10 PCN &

with Greetings from

Pennsylvanias

Nationally Accredited Main Streets

P8 / NMSC RECAP

P12 / SEE! SAVE! CELEBRATE!

Mays Preservation Month provided lessons for communities to celebrate their unique, historic places year round.

Julie Fitzpatrick and Mary Lee Stotler offer two unique perspectives on the 2013 National Main Street Conference

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SUMMER 2013

Board Chairs Message

The culture and ethics

of an organization are often defined by its values statement. We are fortunate at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to have a history of professional and tireless commitment for the community and the people we serve. To reaffirm that commitment, the staff and Board of PDC developed and approved a new set of values. These will serve as guiding principles to navigate how we treat each other, serve our customers and determine appropriate partnerships.

Moving forward, the PDC staff and Board of Directors have committed to the following values: authenticity; stewardship; progressive; collaborative; fun; integrity. A fuller description of what these terms mean to us can be found at www.padowntown.org. We are eager to demonstrate how we live these values through continuous improvement, partnerships and passion for community revitalization. As members of PDC, please hold us accountable to these values, (especially that fun one!)

Jane M. Conover

contact jane jconover@yccf.org

PENNSYLVANIA DOWNTOWN CENTERS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

2013 EVENTS CALENDAR

EVENT
New Manager Training New Manager Training CRA: Organization New Manager Training CRA: Design Statewide Managers Meeting Regional Leadership Forum National Preservation Conference New Manager Training CRA: Community Marketing

DATE
Monday, June 24
th

TIME
9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION
Harrisburg, PA PDC Offices Harrisburg, PA PDC Offices Harrisburg, PA PDC Offices

Monday, July 29th and Tuesday, July 30th Wednesday, July 31st and Thursday, August 1st Monday, September 23rd and Tuesday, September 25th Wednesday, September 25th and Thursday, September 26th Monday, October 7th and Tuesday, October 8th Tuesday, October 8th Tuesday, October 29th through Saturday, November 2nd Monday, November 18th and Tuesday, November 19th Wednesday, November 20th and Thursday, November 21st

9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Harrisburg, PA PDC Offices Harrisburg, PA PDC Offices Venue TBA Venue TBA Indianapolis, IN Harrisburg, PA PDC Offices Harrisburg, PA PDC Offices

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SUMMER 2013

The Pennsylvania Cable Network discovers Main Street

of Pennsylvanias most active ennsylvania Downtown some revitalization organizations to really their towns stories. I was thrilled Center recently signed tell to be in Danville and Manheim with the film crew. I was so impressed by the a contract with the enthusiasm of everyone involved while the ever evolving projects Pennsylvania Cable Network showcasing in their communities, said Ashlee O. Marketing & Membership (PCN) to produce a series of Shelton, Coordinator, PDC. television shows entitled The shows will highlight sixteen Pennsylvania towns and will be Discover Main Street PA. featured through January of 2014. Every episode will cover a variety Filming began in April of of interesting hot spots within the being featured. And one 2013 and the first episode communities of the most exciting parts is that the are being hosted by people aired on Sunday May 19, 2013. shows within our PDC family! Main Street PCN is a statewide non-profit 501 (c)3 television network available to 10 million viewers in more than 3.3 million homes. This is a fantastic opportunity for Managers, Elm Street Managers and board members are all in VJ style, showing the viewers around their towns and communities.

The Executive Director of the Danville Business Alliance, Jim Wilson, takes the viewer on a tour of some of his favorite locations in town including a very unique general store, a pottery gallery and a microbrewery. In Manheim the Steigel Glassworks was a must-see location to highlight the towns established and growing arts community.

PENNSYLVANIA DOWNTOWN CENTERS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

May
DANVILLE BUSINESS ALLIANCE

OCTOBER
MAINSTREET WAYNESBORO WEST CHESTER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

june

MANHEIM DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT GROUP

NOVEMBER december january

5

BUTLER DOWNTOWN

HISTORIC KENNETT SQUARE WEST READING COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION

august

DOWNTOWN CARLISLE ASSOCIATION

OUR TOWN FOUNDATION (HAMBURG)

LATROBE COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM HOLLIDAYSBURG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

September
ARDMORE INITIATIVE EASTON PARTNERSHIP

OIL CITY MAIN STREET PROGRAM

DOWNTOWN LEWISTOWN, INC. RIDGWAY HERITAGE COUNCIL

Tune-in!

Shows are set to air on the Third Sunday of every month (except for July) at 7:00PM(est). The shows will then be available on the PDC website.

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SUMMER 2013

Pennsylvania Downtowns Receive National Accreditation

The annual national accreditation status is based upon ten (10) national standards of performance that include assessment of operating budget, involvement of local boards and committees, reporting of key statistics, training for staff and volunteers and more. A complete list of the 10 national standards of performance can be found here: http://www.preservationnation.org/main-street/about-mainstreet/the-programs/performance-standards.html As the coordinating organization for the Main Street program in Pennsylvania, PDC is extremely proud of the Main Street communities that have received this recognition from the National Main Street Center this year, said PDC executive director, Bill Fontana. While each and every one of Pennsylvanias Main Street programs contributes to making their communities great, these 26 accredited communities deserve special recognition. Accreditation is an acknowledgment of the fact that an organization is following and implementing a program that is likely to result in a successful revitalization effort. The Main Street Four-Point Approach based on design, promotion, organization and economic restructuring is a comprehensive, preservation-based strategy for strengthening and sustaining the places and enterprises that make up vibrant and unique communities. NMSC was established in 1980 and leads a network of more than 1,200 state, regional, and local programs, in this common sense approach to addressing the variety of issues and problems that challenge traditional central business districts. NMSC is a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

ennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) is proud to announce that 26 Main Street communities from across the commonwealth recently received recognition as Nationally Accredited Programs by the National Main Street Center (NMSC).

2013 NATIONALLY Accredited Main Street Communities

Ardmore Initiative Downtown Bedford Building a Better Boyertown Butler Downtown Community Action Development Corporation Downtown Carlisle Association Clearfield Revitalization Corporation Danville Business Alliance Downtown Indiana Greater Easton Development Partners Ebensburg Borough Emmaus Main Street Freeport-Leechburg-Apollo Group (FLAG) 6 Greensburg Community Development Corporation Hamilton District Main Street Program Latrobe Community Revitalization County of Lehigh Downtown Lock Haven Manheim Downtown Development Group Oil City Main Street Old Town Grove City Our Town Foundation Quakertown Alive! Scranton Tomorrow Venture Lititz West Chester BID

PENNSYLVANIA DOWNTOWN CENTERS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Congratulations to the most recent graduates of the Community Revitalization Academy

Adrienne Mael Manager, Downtown Bloomsburg Inc. Sue Moyer Neighborhood Manager, SSJ Neighborhood Network in Erie
The Community Revitalization Academy (CRA) is a series of five (5) two-day workshops designed to provide first year Main Street managers, Elm Street managers, and other interested revitalization professionals with intermediate level instruction based on the Four-Point Approach of the National Trust for Historic Preservations Main Street Program and the Five-Point Approach of the Pennsylvania Elm Street Program. While these two programs have slight variations in the nomenclature and certain program activities, there is a high degree of consistency in the training required to effectively and efficiently implement these programs.

2013 Destination Marketing Grants

Congratulations to the Ardmore Initiative, West Chester Business Improvement District, Venture Lititz, Hamilton Main Street Program and Our Town Foundation.
PDC awarded five Destination Marketing Grants, totaling $10.000, toward events occurring between January 1 and June 15, 2013. Destination marketing is defined as activities designed to attract visitors from at least fifty miles away or from a fifty minute drive-time from the site of the event. PDC utilized standard Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to ensure that the geographic requirements were being met. Communities did not need to be DCED designated to be eligible but did need to be in the midst of a comprehensive downtown revitalization program that is generally in conformance with the concepts and methodologies of the Main Street Approach or Elm Street Approach.

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perspectives

Pennsylvania Downtown Centers Julie Fitzpatrick and Mary Lee Stotler head to New Orleans for the 2013 National Main Street Conference
Another highlight of the conference was the mobile workshop to Treme. Its a neighborhood that has most recently received attention because of an HBO series set in that part of New Orleans post Katrina. I didnt know what to expect from the mobile workshop, afraid that they would glamorize things and only show us the perfect parts of the community. They didnt. And, Im glad that they didnt. The city of New Orleans is dealing with the same kind of racial and socio-economic divide and challenges that all of our cities are dealing with. The difference is that post-Katrina, the determination and will to make substantive changes - changes that wont back-slide (fingers-crossed) is present and alive in New Orleans. As one of the guides said, Katrina gave us a chance to change old habits, and some of the not-so-great traditions that plagued the neighborhood for generations. A few of the highlights of the workshop were the Circle Foods Store, the Bell School, and Treme Market Branch building, along with the numerous brightly painted Creole cottages lining the neighborhood streets. Many of these houses can be traced back to being owned during the 18th and early 19th centuries, by free persons of color and African slaves who were able to buy their freedom. Tremes roots are strong and so are the people. During the 1960s the elevated expressway was built and the neighborhood was segmented, contributing to the blight that they are dealing with today. But, there is a movement to remove part of the

ur trip to New Orleans for the National Main Streets Conference was filled with fun, adventure, and a deep Julie admiration for the people and the culture of a city so many of us have grown to love. Some high points of my trip included Caf Reconcile, Treme, and of course, beignets. For much of our visit the weather was beautiful, we made new friends, and learned a thing or two that weve brought back to PA.
After two long days of coordinator meetings, it was time to celebrate! Sunday evening a special dinner was arranged for the coordinators at Caf Reconcile, an awe inspiring refuge in Central City New Orleans. Its a working caf and hospitality training facility for youth at risk. The food was fantastic! Between the fried catfish with crawfish sauce and the bananas foster bread pudding, I couldnt get enough. But Caf Reconcile is so much more than just the food it is part of a larger non-profit organization, Reconcile New Orleans, committed to addressing the system of generational poverty, violence and neglect in the New Orleans area. After dinner, each student shared their story of how they got to where they are today, with some of their paths more challenging than others. Some of the students shared how they had to quit high school to take care of ill family members, others sharing how their young lives had already lead to bad choices. But all of them making the conscious decision to come to Caf Reconcile, and being forever grateful for the opportunity that had been given to them. Before they were done, I was completely moved, tears streaming down my face this place is making a difference, a life-changing difference in these young lives, their families, and their community. For more information, visit cafereconcile.org .

expressway and reconnect the neighborhood through a surface-level boulevard increasing walkability and addressing other issues to bring life back to the neighborhood. For more information, visit http://www.cnu.org/ restoringclaiborne. If you have an opportunity to visit New Orleans, do it. And, if you can, visit the French Quarter and the Garden District, both breathtaking in their own right. But, if you able to, visit the neighborhoods and meet the people of the city, those individuals whose ancestors helped to weave the cultural fabric of a city so diverse, so rich in generations of intertwined cultures there arent many places like New Orleans.

t was an onerous assignment, but PDC had to put in an appearance at this years National Main Streets Conference. Julie Fitzpatrick and I were tapped with that duty because, you know, someone had to do it. And just because the annual French Quarter Music Festival was going on at the same time doesnt mean that we enjoyed it. But we did, even though only a few of the Pennsylvania contingent were in attendance.
I also got to lecture folks on my favorite subject: Work Plans. And guess what? They LIKED it. So there. I wouldnt say that New Orleans truly represents what all of us are trying to accomplish in our revitalization efforts. Its a happening place with nearly 24-hour crowds on the streets, but with that crowd comes the types of businesses and the species of problem that most of us dont want. For instance, on a tour of Historic Tax Credit projects in the French Quarter, the preservationists noted that on the iron

storefronts on some of the buildings, urine was an ongoing and severely damaging problem. Moreover, the kinds of entertainment businesses that thrive in the French Quarter are not what most of us would want in our family-friendly downtowns. A pharmacy with a liquor section? Really? All that aside, New Orleans is a place that definitely knows how to capitalize on its historic assets. They understand that people come for the party, but they also come for the ambience. The streets are filled with colorful historic architecture, and people love it. They overlook whatever inconveniences there are because its a place they want to be. While we dont want the downside that goes with being a party-town, we could learn some lessons from NOLA on how to make visitors feel welcome and also, how to appreciate and capitalize on our historic assets. Rather than tear down this iconic building, they built around it. This offers a rather incongruous appearance, but at least they saved the gem! If a manager or board can swing it, the National Conference is a great place to

learn new things and see ideas in action. Yes, it can be costly, but its a chance to meet people and exchange ideas from programs all over the country. You learn that while each region has its own unique challenges, you share a lot of issues, as well.

The 2014 conference will be in Detroit. While that may not seem as much fun as New Orleans, Im sure itll be packed with all kinds of innovative ideas on how to rebuild an economy. Maybe Ill see you there!

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SUMMER 2013

meet the newest faces on main street

Susan Randall, Downtown Manager | Eastburg Community Alliance
What drew you to this position? I was drawn by the towns historical assets (switch tower and restored train station). I am an East Stroudsburg native and am very invested in seeing my own hometown prosper. What has been your favorite part of this position? Meeting like-minded people from

Nick Felice, Executive Director | Latrobe Community Revitalization Program (LCRP)

What drew you to this position? I have worked in economic and community development for over 17 years. Having an opportunity to use my experience and talents to help the citizens of Latrobe was very appealing. What has been your favorite part of this position? Working to engage many different groups and individuals to assist LCRP with its many promotions and projects is most rewarding. It is human nature

Dana L. Shoemaker, Executive Director | Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation

What drew you to this position? I had served two communities one in Hollidaysburg, PA and one in Hobbs, NM as the main street manager earlier in my career. I had not considered that I would end up working at this level in community and economic development; however, when called to duty in my hometown community, I felt compelled to take on the challenge and pick up where Emily Gette-Doyle, the outgoing manager, had left off in her tenure. What has been your favorite part of this position? Having gained experiences outside of the local society, culture, economy and geography and coming back as a hometown girl has given me a unique perspective on local challenges and missions. This position for me is not a job. These positions are lifestyles, and by continuing this work in my hometown, I am very rewarded by the outcomes that we are working towards here in Philipsburg. Anything about your community or neighborhood or a champion that you would like to share? Although Philipsburg has always been in an economically-challenged area, this community, other organizations such as the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership and the Philipsburg municipal government and business members have continued to keep the PRC open for business for thirteen years. Without the states administrative funding, this program has been continually supported and funded locally, and as a result I am even more proud of representing my hometown. Every program in our Commonwealth has its challenge, and Philipsburg is no different. However, the local commitment is one of the best things about the program and what is it made up of.

to want to help your community. Our group presents people with tangible opportunities to make things better. around the state of Pennsylvania Anything about your community or neighborhood or a champion that you would like to share? We are nestled in the beautiful Pocono Mountains, very close to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and we are home to East Stroudsburg University Anything about your community or neighborhood or a champion that you would like to share? Latrobe is mostly a blue collar town with people who are truly down to earth and most loyal to their community, school district and families. This strong sense of loyalty is infectious and is a strong base for volunteerism. Our citizens have a can do attitude and stay busy looking for places where they can have the greatest impact. Its quite motivational to be in a position where I can direct, steer and harness their efforts to generate the desired positive change.

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PENNSYLVANIA DOWNTOWN CENTERS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Adrianne is very appreciative of the town and its healthy atmosphere. She stated that in Boyertown businesses act as friendly neighbors and a synergy exists between the local businesses. The business owners take pride in their shops and exhibit a sense of business fellowship and promote each other to the visiting clientele. This positive word of mouth patronage exists in the form of suggesting visits to other local establishments and accentuating features unique to that establishment. These complimentary platitudes create a hum of business esprit. Adrianne recognizes these special efforts, where the businesses place competition aside and cater to a higher level of business camaraderie. Marianne Deery is one of the original visionaries of the BBB. She is also the owner of the Twin Turrets Bed and Breakfast and is Mayor of Boyertown. Marianne Deery first moved to Boyertown when she was in the 10th grade. Adriannes mother was in the same class. Having been new to the school and somewhat isolated, Adriannes mother took Marianne under her wing and tutored her. When Adrianne had heard this story from Marianne, it touched her in remembrance of her mother. Adrianne felt as if like she had arrived, and found her place in her home community. It was a special moment of kinship to Boyertown. Today, Adrianne lives again on the Christmas Tree farm with her father David, her friend Roswell and her ten year old daughter Sandra. Adrianne is expecting her second child in August and will enjoy the rural farm for a brief time and be back managing the BBB.

Adrianne Blank RLA.

Main Street Manager Building a Better Boyertown 3 East Philadelphia Avenue Boyertown, PA 19512 610 369-3054 www.boyertownpa.org

ur Boyertown Main Street Manager has a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from West Virginia University and is licensed as a Landscape Architect in the State of Pennsylvania. Adrianne has worked in land development for both engineering and landscape architecture firms and enjoys working on quality environments.
As part of her career path Adrianne had lived and worked in two of our premier Main Street Program towns. She was employed by Derck and Edson in Lititz, and for a landscape architect in West Chester. Following this great experience, the trail took her back to her former community near Boyertown. She had grown up in Pike Township on a Christmas tree farm, where her appreciation for the environment, design, and botany had first taken root. Adrianne started volunteering for Building a Better Boyertown (BBB) on the Tree Committee and later became a Board Member. In 2010 she was hired as an interim manager for the Main Street Program and in December 2011 was hired full time. She is currently completing her third year as Manager.

some highlights of the Building a Better Boyertown Main Street Program:

Building a Better Boyertown is a Nationally Accredited Program. Phase One of the Streetscape Project included: sidewalks; 21 street trees; a brick ribbon along the sidewalk; benches; and 42 street lights. The total costs were one million dollars. The Tree Committee, a group of dedicated professionals, has focused on additions to the streetscape, plantings for the residents and the local park. The Boyertown Oktoberfest has proven to be the best fundraiser for the past five years and is the most recognized and well attended event of the year. The faade program has been very successful and over a five year program included 46 businesses costing $120,000. The Farmers Market is still going strong into its 7th year. A grand re-opening is planned since it is being moved to the municipal parking lot downtown. The Personalized Brick Project, as part of the streetscape project has really taken off. Civic organizations have purchased bricks for their past presidents over the last 100 years, and many churches have also participated with their congregations. This profitable project includes over 700 named bricks.

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SUMMER 2013

Last month, preservation and Main Street organizations, both large and small, took the time to celebrate history and historic places. This years theme See! Save! Celebrate!aimed to encourage community organizers to think creatively about fun events to engage your members and draw in new audiences.
BY stefan klosowski

ay was Historic Preservation Month. The National Trust for Historic Preservation is the parent organization of the National Main Street Center and The National Trusts tagline for historic preservation month is See! Save! Celebrate!
As we move forward throughout the year it is important to remember that Historic Preservation is one of the ten points needed for accreditation. Programs are reviewed to determine whether they possess an historic preservation ethic. Certain criteria are used to measure a programs level of involvement. Some of these include: design guidelines to implement a faade rehabilitation

grant program; review of the local zoning ordinance to determine support of historic preservation initiatives; adoption of a Commitment to Historic Preservation Resolution; and if the organization has participated in some way in National Preservation Month activities. The Pennsylvania Downtown Center is in the process of developing a faade rehabilitation program manual that will serve as a template for communities. In a recent review of related materials across the State, a number of programs were found lacking in: adequate design guidelines; procedures with explicit design review; design assistance; an education component such as a workshop; and references to the States Prevailing Wage and Secretary of Interiors Standards.

It is understood however, that each town possesses different architectural, historic elements and natural settings. Each community can also have its unique approach to their faade rehabilitation program. In a recent review of the facade improvement grant packages of over forty programs, Oil City had the most recent assemblage of materials completed in 2013, and had rated higher on our checklist. The Main Street Program Manager Kathy Bailey recently held a major event in Oil City to spur interest in the historic preservation and the facade improvement grant program. A workshop, Tax Credits & Grants for Main Street Building Improvements was held in the historic Latonia

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PENNSYLVANIA DOWNTOWN CENTERS QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER Theater ballroom. The art-deco style Latonia Theatre opened in 1928 with seating for 1,520 people, and was one of the largest theaters in Oil City at the time. The theater operated until the late 1960s, was later remodeled to accommodate retail tenants. The second floor has since been restored as a ballroom for special events, with retail uses on the first floor. Additional restoration and improvements are in progress. The session included guest speakers from the Pennsylvania Historic Museum Commission and Preservation Pennsylvania. There were over 40 persons in attendance. We may remember from our youth, the Rs from grade school like Reading, wRiting and aRithmetic however, we may not be familiar with the Rs of pReseRvation? Here is a sampling. Each of the words has its particular purpose and place, whether it is for the exterior or interior, to live or work, they vary in terms of value and cost. While there are proper definitions, a working terminology in the field may render different opinions. Do you know the differences between these words? We will discuss these words and their meaning in the next issue. See! Save! Celebrate! The Historic Preservation slogan for the month of implies action. We all know of some building in our districts that are crying for attention. The first step is to acknowledge a storefront or vacant interior space and bring attention to it. That may mean enforcing local regulations or finding a new investor. The second step is to take action toward restoring or rehabilitating the building. Present the building or business owner with the opportunity of a faade rehabilitation grant. This can be the obvious exterior storefront that everyone has seen as they pass by, or the unseen interior space, on the ground floor or upper story. Host an open house to showcase a historic building that has been recently restored or repurposed. Give a tour of unseen vacant spaces and hold a reception. Utilize an exceptionally neglected space for an awards program.

Celebrate your town every month of the year

You dont need a special month to find creative ways to shine a spotlight on your communitys distinct places. Try some of these ideas anytime to engage visitors and residents. Community Service Opportunities
Possible projects might include a clean-up day at a local house museum or along a historic Main Street. Consider partnering with other local nonprofit organizations in your area to sponsor the event. This will allow you to forge new relationships to build on in the future and will also provide an opportunity to attract new volunteers that may not be familiar with your organization or site.

Demonstration Projects
Many people who own a historic property enjoy learning more about restoration techniques and new products. Consider hosting lectures, workshops, or demonstrations for historic home owners. Topics might include how to select appropriate paint colors, proper methods to repair older windows, plant choices for historic garden styles, or ideas for improving energy efficiency in older homes.

Share your stories and pictures with us. stefanklosowski@padowntown.org

PReseRvation Restoration Revitalization Rehabilitation Reconstruction Retrofitting Renovation Remodeling

Special Events
Host building tours, open houses, living history events, and special exhibits for your members and potential new members or supporters. Sponsor a photography contest and post the photos on your website or ask folks to send in letters about their favorite local landmark. Dont forget to take advantage of social media. Encourage attendees to use Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter to share photos or spread the word. From www.preservationnation.org

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Pennsylvania Downtown Center

Office location | 1230 N. Third Street Harrisburg, PA 17102 Mailing address | P.O. Box 1265 Harrisburg, PA 17108 717.233.4675 (p.) 717.233.4690 (f.)