Community Revitalization Desktop Guide

making household location a key component of housing affordability, and the option of getting to places without a car a key asset. 9 Historic buildings: Historic buildings can create a competitive advantage for Pennsylvania’s older communities. Areas that are rich in historic buildings can, with investment, offer a unique place to live or work. Preserving and rehabilitating these buildings for modern use offers an opportunity to blend both old and new and reinforce a town’s unique history. Studies across the country have consistently shown that a property in a historic district experiences greater rates of appreciation.10 There is also a proven market for buildings with artistic and architectural features and quality materials that provide a charm and elegance not found in modern buildings. Preservation is more than nostalgia; historic buildings are assets that can be used as economic development drivers. Tourist Destinations: Tourism has a vital role to play in the revitalization of communities that can attract a signiﬁcant number of visitors on a regular basis. By grouping a set of experiences (rather than establishing a single museum or historic site) municipalities have convinced the distance traveler to visit. Pennsylvania’s attractive outdoor recreational locations have strong potential to be tourist destinations for whitewater rafting, mountain biking and nature trails, bird watching, leaf viewing, scenic drives, and cross-country skiing. In the last 20 years, the number of Americans 12 and older participating in some form of outdoor recreation has grown from 188 million to 229 million, an 18% increase per year.11 Hiking is one of the nation’s most popular recreational activities. In 2002, over 73 million Americans hiked. For just one section of the Appalachian Trail, the Great Allegheny Passage that extends 100 continuous miles between McKeesport and Meyersdale, the direct economic impact exceeds $14 million a year, with more than 350,000 visitor trips on the trail and users spending $12.01 to $15.33 per person, per trip. 12 SEE CASE STUDY FIVE Case Studies 5 – 6 5. Outdoor Tourism Destination: Pennsylvania Wilds Pennsylvania’s designation of 2 million acres of forests and state parks in 12 counties along the state’s northern tier has opened opportunities for numerous towns to welcome visitors to the Pennsylvania Wilds. The Wilds offer hiking, fishing, 1,000 miles of bike trails, rock climbing, bird watching, an Elk Scenic Drive, a dark-sky preserve for stargazing, autumn color, and scenic canyons and gorges. Towns within the PA Wilds region are combining their historic assets with the natural appeal of the Wilds to attract tourists, stimulate their economies, and revitalize their downtowns. The Elk County town of Ridgway, population 5,000, is building a prosperous future by attracting both nature and heritage tourism. Ridgway’s natural assets include a large elk herd, the Allegheny National Forest, and the Clarion River running through downtown. Historic and cultural assets include timber baron mansions from the mid-1800’s, an art museum, a library, and a YMCA. An attraction that draws 30,000 visitors each February is the Chain Saw Carvers Rendezvous. Previously suffering downtown dilapidation and empty storefronts, and having failed to achieve revitalization in the 1980’s, Ridgway got a fresh start in 1997 with the formation of the Ridgway Heritage Council (RHC). From 1998 to 2001, RHC used a $45,000 grant from a local foundation to improve downtown façades. Since 2001, the Borough has contributed $15,00 to $20,000 annually for façade improvements. As of 2006, almost every downtown building has been restored, 40 new businesses have opened, and 77 percent of them have stayed. Explains Dale Lauricella, co-founder of the RHC, “The road to success is built on a series of smaller achievements that you keep building upon. A lot of towns are in the situation that Ridgway was. It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s not impossible to turn things around. But it does require a core group of people who are passionate about preserving their heritage and creating a brighter future for their community.” j Ridgway’s current new endeavor, funded by a $60,000 Growing Greener grant, is a study of how to conserve open space along the downtown riverfront while also installing a riverfront park with public boating, ﬁshing, and education, and trails that lead from the greenspace into the business district. Other municipalities that are planning development around their proximity to the PA Wilds include the Borough of Clearﬁeld, located off I-80 in Clearﬁeld County, at the southern edge of the Wilds. Clearﬁeld obtained an $18,500 Growing Greener grant to create a master plan for a 10-acre riverfront park with a trail, parking, and recreational facilities. Similarly, the town of Brookville, located near the Allegheny National Forest, Clear Creek State Park, Cook Forest State Park, and I-80 in Jefferson County, directed an $81,000 Growing Greener grant to several endeavors, including purchasing a half-acre abandoned downtown site that will become a town square. k The newness of the PA Wilds region may make it seem premature to view the Wilds as an income generator for towns in the Wilds. However, ample evidence shows that towns that develop with an eye toward proﬁting from tourism in the Wilds in the future will likely be making a sound investment. As greater numbers of Americans search for impressive natural environments for hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, bird watching, scenic drives, and other outdoor activities, regions such as the PA Wilds are increasingly sought after. 6. Improve Green Assets : Nay Aug Park: Scranton Under the leadership of Mayor Chris Doherty, elected in 2001, Scranton has delighted citizens and attracted visitors with the restoration of a major city park. Nay Aug Park is located close to downtown and offers an observation deck overlooking Nay Aug Gorge, a National Natural Landmark. While the historic Nay Aug Park formerly was home to an amusement park and a small zoo, Scranton’s fiscal problems had forced their closure, the park had fallen into neglect, and it received few visitors. A local investment of approximately $4.5 million allowed installation or refurbishment of a public swimming pool, amphitheater, Wildlife Center, concession stand, walking trails, observation decks, playground, restrooms, safety rails, and an electrical upgrade. A treehouse and a playground built by 1,300 volunteers were other recent additions. Scranton funded the restoration of Nay Aug Park with CDBG funds, sale of a parcel of city land to the local university and state funds. The Wildlife Center alone annually attracts 80,000 visitors, while the remainder of the Park fills with children and families playing, walkers, swimmers, admirers of holiday lights, and theater-goers. With the restoration of Nay Aug, a neglected recreation area has once again become one of the city’s highlights. 13 GOAL ONE: CHOOSE ONE ASSET-RICH REDEVELOPMENT AREA step one: identify key economic and physical assets

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Community Revitalization Desktop Guide

PA Community Revitalization Desktop Guide Table of Contents How To Attract High Impact Investment to Core Communities Goal One: Choose One Asset-Rich Redevelopment Area Interviews with Pennsylvania Mayors Goal Two: Prepare Redevelopment Area for Market Interviews with Developers who Have Invested in Pennsylvania Cities and Towns Goal Three: Welcome Investment Interviews with Developers who Have Invested in Pennsylvania Cities and Towns Goal Four: Apply Strategies That Work Conclusion

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