Community Revitalization Desktop Guide

Old Corner, Grove Street, Lock Haven (Clinton County) Tourism for the Birds: A recent Delaware Bay study showed that shorebird migration annually generates between $7.8 and $11.8 million in tourism-related economic benefits to the immediate bay shore area. The typical bird watcher spends $522 per visit for lodging, dinners, food, and gasoline. Many decide to return at other times during the year, generating as much as $25 million in the immediate area, another $2.5 million in New Jersey, and another $6.2 million elsewhere in the U.S. – a total of $34 million a year. 13 Stable residential neighborhoods: Housing is a critical element for the viability of an urban community. A strong resident base is needed to support the grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, restaurants and other essential commercial components of a well-functioning city or borough. A recent Brookings Institution report states the importance of viable neighborhoods in plain terms: “No city can succeed if people don’t want to live in it. And where they live is in a neighborhood; it’s how they identify ‘home.’ The strongest cities have demonstrated that they can build attractive neighborhoods and invigorate their local businesses and commercial corridors.” One strong neighborhood can launch interest in other surrounding neighborhoods as the healthy housing market expands. 15 Attractive functional greenspace: Businesses and residents want to locate near well-maintained, safe parks, town squares, community gardens, boardwalks and other greenspaces. A 2002 Consumers’ Survey conducted by the National Association of Realtors found that for the majority of owners, open space and parks were very important to their housing choice. 16 Owners of small companies ranked recreation/parks/open space as one of the highest priorities in “Think about what makes a city or borough great and your local parks, open spaces and waterways will probably come to mind. We want to partner with communities so that they can expand and improve these wonderful assets that make the places we call home vibrant and attractive.” – PENNSYLVANIA DEPArTMENT OF CONSErVATION AND NATUrAL rESOUrCES SECrETArY MICHAEL DIBErNArDINIS choosing a location for their businesses. 17 After all, parks, plazas and town squares provide a place for employees as well as residents to sit and read, or gather and talk with friends. SEE CASE STUDY SIX Other Assets: Every community has assets. Those we have listed are some that have brought new life to American cities, but be creative when thinking about assets. Whether the asset is a house of worship that brings in people from the surrounding region every week or a natural gorge that attracts thousands each year, there is tremendous power in recognizing those assets and making an action plan to take advantage of them. GOAL ONE: CHOOSE ONE ASSET-RICH REDEvELOpmENT AREA step one: identify key economic and physical assets 14

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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