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P3 / QUARTERLY

FEATURE: the 2012 Townie Awards Gala celebrates 13 winners for excellence in community revitalization.

P6 / AROUND THE STATE

Chinese mayors pay a visit to Lititz to learn more about small downtowns.

P7 / MANAGER SPOTLIGHT

Meet Darlene Urban Garrett, Elm Street Manager from Greensboro Borough Elm Street.

P11 / MARK YOUR 2013 CALENDAR

Important information regarding the upcoming Statewide Manager’s Meeting and other PDC events across the state. Reserve your seat today!

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Timing isEverythingAnd the time is now p. 10

Also in this issue |

PENNSYLVANIA DOWNTOWN CENTER’S QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

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Board Chair Message

Know these names? James Mann, Lynne Little, Robert Wright, Christopher Witmer, David Taylor, Barry Cassidy, Kathryn Sears,

Peg Robinson, William Edwards, Diane Bernardo, Carolyn Boyce, Joe Farrell, Beth Proper Spokas. They are the founding Board members of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center incorporated on the 15th day of June, 1987. These visionaries started PDC “to encourage the development, redevelopment and improvement of downtown areas in cities and towns and provide a forum for members of the Association to share knowledge, common experiences and problems.” Today, PDC has added to our mission the values of sense of place, quality of life and economic vitality in traditional business districts and nearby residential areas.

There is no question that the strength of these core communities is critical to the health of regions. Employers tell us that their recruitment heavily depends on the attractiveness of the downtown of the community. As gas prices rise and strip shopping centers lose their appeal, moving to unique urban areas and small towns is becoming desirable for young adults and retirees.

PDC Board members and staff met earlier in December to think strategically about the next five years and how PDC can position itself to best serve our communities into the future. What are the key issues? Financially struggling third class cities continue to face declining tax bases and older housing stock. The National Main Street Center is being restructured and could offer opportunities for PDC

to expand its’ reach outside of PA. Promoting the positive impact thriving downtown neighborhoods have on our economy is increasingly important as state budgets shrink.

Knowing that you are a wealth of “knowledge, common experiences and problems”, Earlier this month, the PDC board met to discuss the trajectory of the organization. I welcome your suggestions for priorities for PDC for the next 5 years. Please email me at [email protected]. I look forward to helping PDC move forward and with your help, the future will be bright.

Thank you for your excellent work and have a wonderful holiday season!

Jane M. ConoverPresident, PA Downtown Center

Promoting the positive impact

thriving downtown neighborhoods have

on our economy is increasingly

important as state budgets shrink

“

Looking Forwardby Jane Conover

“

2012 Townie AwardsGala Dinner

2012 Townie Award Winners

QuarterlyFeature

WINTER 2012

Pennsylvania Downtown Center recently presented 13 awards during the organization’s annual statewide Townie Awards gala. The Townie Awards are a festive

and venerable tradition designed to recognize the commonwealth’s core communities and individuals for creation and implementation of projects, programs and events that exemplify the goals of PDC’s community revitalization mission. Eligible communities consist of Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s nearly 300 member organizations, which include approximately 70 Main Street and 30 Elm Street programs, making the Townies a competitive award process each year.

Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s executive director, Bill Fontana, said “Each year we look forward to the Townie Awards presentation for its ability to excite and inspire our members to continue their community revitalization efforts. Our member communities work tirelessly to improve their cities and towns,

and we love having the opportunity to applaud them for their efforts.”

The Townie Awards are a part of PDC’s annual statewide conference, which is held in a different commonwealth community each year in order to highlight the respective city or town’s accomplishments in community and neighborhood revitalization. This year’s conference, held in downtown State College was attended by more than 150 individuals and included borough and municipal officials, experts in community planning and landscape architecture, and dozens of Main Street and Elm Street managers. Highlights of the conference included nationally-recognized speakers, more than two dozen educational sessions, walking tours of State College and Bellefonte, and a Farm & Market mobile tour to Boalsburg and Centre Hall.

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ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY ACTION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF ALLENTOWN PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS & DESIGN

PROGRAM-WIDE FAÇADE RESTORATIONCLEARFIELD REVITALIZATION CORPORATION (CRC) & DOWNTOWN EPHRATA INC. (DEI) INDIVIDUAL STOREFRONTJOE & MARY KOVAL OF THE MOWERY HOUSE, BEDFORD PUBLIC SPACE IMPROVEMENTPHILADELPHIA CHINATOWN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION & DOWNTOWN BEDFORD, INC. PROMOTIONS & MARKETING AWARDS

SPECIAL OR NEIGHBORHOOD EVENTSUNITED NEIGHBORHOOD CENTERS OF NEPA – ARTS ON FIRE & NKCDC – KENSINGTON KINETIC SCULPTURE DERBY

RETAIL PROMOTIONSHAMILTON MAIN STREET PROGRAM – DOWNTOWN ALLENTOWN RESTAURANT WEEK

ASSET ENHANCEMENT AWARDBUCKNELL UNIVERSITY

ANCHOR BUILDING AWARDADAMS COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL, ARTS EDUCATION CENTER

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT BY A PROGRAM MANAGERDEAN ROHRBACH, PROGRAM MANAGER, WEST READING ELM STREET

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR BRIAN WARFAL, OUR TOWN FOUNDATION

PDC is proud to announce the newest graduates. Congratulations to Rebecca Hilton from Uniontown Main Street, Leann Chaney from Blairsville Community Development Authority and Jamie Baser from Hollidaysburg Community Partnership. Completing the CRA sessions takes dedication and is an important element within the standards of accreditation. The certificate of completion is recognized and respected by communities across the state. Congratulations to these most recent graduates!

Community RevitalizationAcademy’s Recent Graduates

Congratulations!

MembershipNews


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Renewal Reminder It is not too late to update your PDC membership. PDC memberships provide a variety of benefits for individuals, organizations and businesses. Members received discounted registration rates for the PDC conference, trainings and events. Call Ashlee at 717.233.4675 to update your member status before 2012 comes to a close!

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Individual Standard Enhanced* Bronze Silver Gold

PDC Weekly e-Update (education, funding, jobs) l l l l l l

Complimentary e-Update to Board Chair l l

PDC Centerpiece Newsletter l l l l l l

Discounted Registration at PDC Annual Conference l l l l l l

Members-Only Access to PDC Website Resources l l l l l l

PDC Resource Library Access l l l l l

Discounted rates on PDC Programs & Services l l l l l

Legislative & Program Advocacy Alerts l l l l l l

Annual Salary Survey Reports l l l l l

Unlimited Telephone Consulation l l l l l

Managers’ Memos for Local Distribution l l l l l

Invitation to Annual Regional Leadership Meetings l l l l l

Letters of Support for Funding Applications l l l l l

One Annual General Site Visit (upon request) l

One Annual Socio-Economic Data Update l

Use of PDC Online Survey Tool (up to 4x annually) l l

Business Listing on PDC’s Website l l l

Discount on Exhibit Space at PDC Annual Conference l l l

One Day of PDC Technical Assistance Consultation l l

Two Complimentary Conference Registrations l

Business Partner Alerts (on currently open RFPs) l l l

Listing in PDC Centerpiece Newsletter l

Discounts on PANO trainings & PANO Membership l l l l l

Annual Cost $25** $275 $625 $425 $625 $1,525

Pennsylvania Downtown Center2012-2013 Member Benefits

Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) is the only nonprofit organization in the commonwealth dedicated exclusively to the economic and physical revitalization of

Pennsylvania’s downtowns, central business districts, neighborhood business districts and the neighborhoods that surround them. We provide a variety of services, detailed below, in order to ensure that your town maximizes its ability to undertake a successful revitalization effort. In addition, PDC advocates for the creation and implementation of state and federal

legislation critical to the revitalization equation.

We can help you navigate the new terrain of community revitalization.

East Meets East:Chinese Mayors Pay Lititz A Visitby Julie Fitzpatrick, Assistant Director and Special Projects Coordinator

Around the State


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In early October, Pennsylvania Downtown Center was joined by Venture Lititz

and Main Street Ephrata to make a presentation to a group of Chinese mayors from the Guizhou Province. The mayors are part of an annual international training program between

the American Planning Association (APA) and the Chinese government. They were looking to learn about small downtown economic development and community revitalization and what we are doing here in Pennsylvania.

Their first stop was Lititz, where Kelly Withum, Executive Director of Venture Lititz, Karen Weibel, President of Borough Council, and Julie Fitzpatrick of PDC spoke with the assistance of an interpreter on topics ranging from an overview of Main Street and Elm Street in Pennsylvania, current Main Street initiatives in Lititz, and how Lititz Borough has positioned itself through proper planning.

The international guests grabbed their welcome bags and strolled through the streets of Lititz before settling in at Café Chocolate, where they partook in tea sampling hosting by the café’s owner Selina Man who happens to be Chinese and was able to put everyone at ease in giving them a taste of home in a warm, comfortable setting. Then they were off to explore the Moravian church and a bit more of downtown.

The next day they visited downtown Ephrata. As the 16 mayors and two interpreters settled in their seats, Councilman Tony Kilkuskie provided a short introduction of Ephrata Borough and its history. Main Street Manager Marsha DiBonaventuro provided a presentation highlighting building improvement projects, the significance of preservation, examples of promotional materials, and a discussion on how Ephrata attracts and retains volunteers.

Between the Lancaster county downtown visits, the group enjoyed a tour of Amish Country, Hershey Park and the Lancaster Outlets to complete their tour of Central Pennsylvania.

Ephrata Borough vice president Tony Kilkuskie welcomes the Mayoral

contingent from the Guizhou Province of China as they arrive at

Ephrata borough Hall.

Yuan (Andy) Fang, Program Associate for International Affairs, APA join Kelly and Julie in welcoming the mayors to Lititz

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MANAGER SPOTLIGHT

Reflections on My CareerMy entire professional career has been as a community developer. The focus of my work has not always been revitalization, although a part of my work has always included revitalization. The most basic principle of the work I do is first and foremost, to build the capacities of communities to take care of themselves. My personal evaluation of my work is always what happens in a community after I leave.

Major Upcoming ProjectsCurrently in Greensboro we have four major projects and more miscellaneous projects than I can get my arms around. Our four major projects include revitalization of the historic Greensboro Public School that has been vacant for about fifteen years. This is a two million restoration project and will become the Greene County Cultural Enrichment Center. Another large project is the cleaning of a Brownfield site that was the Lock Power Station on mile 85 of the Monongahela River. Once the hydraulic fluid, lead based paint and water access into the building are dealt with, the building will become a micro distillery for "Lock House Vodka." In the spring we will be installing a canoe and kayak launch, this is our third large project. This will be a huge asset in development of outdoor recreation in our town. The fourth project is the development of a sustainable organization to continue community development and revitalization when our Elm Street project reaches its fifth year. The work in this area requires building the capacity of a local 501(c)3 to continue the work.

NAME: Darlene Urban Garrett

ORGANIZATION:Greensboro Borough Elm Street

CONTACT:

SuccessesI have had many successes during my career in community development. In Greensboro Borough I am most proud of receiving the Elm Street designation in a small borough without having been a Main Street Community. In prior jobs and places that I have worked, I am most proud of the tool kit on community and economic development that was translated into Ukrainian and provided to post communist communities in Ukraine. I am most proud of the work I could accomplish with indigenous Native American tribes in northern California. This is where I truly became a believer in the basic premise of community development, engaging the citizenry and allowing them to conceive, plan, and implement programs to change their destiny.

Favorite Thing To Do in GreensboroMy favorite thing to do in Greensboro is socializing and working with the residents. They are a group of very committed people and believe in their town. The gossip is always good, the stories always entertaining, and the jokes never ending. Mary and Vic Shine, both very active and committed residents always interest me with their opinions and Vic's tall tales of the town never fail to give me a belly laugh.


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Patience & Timingby Julie Fitzpatrick, Assistant Director and Special Projects Coordinator

Project Update

For most of us having the patience to act when appropriately can be easier said than done. One thing I have learned in my own time in this field is that timing is everything;

it really can make or break a project, and sometimes even a program. Patience is the key and timing is everything. Knowing what the “right” time is to

take action, announce a capital campaign, ask for a pledge, initiate a volunteer development program, or begin a new partnership is a major key to success in a community revitalization strategy. In Hanover, it really is all about having the patience to wait for the right time, and the right time seems to be now. For the last couple years, PDC has been working with the Borough of Hanover and the leadership of Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce on planning and developing a downtown initiative, Main Street Hanover. Due to the recent economic climate

and the lack of an effort of a full time manager, the initiative has continued to move forward, but not at the pace that some would have hoped. In the last few months, great change has occurred and I believe that one reason for this is that it is finally the right time, it’s their time.There have been great strides made in the last few months. Recently, a market analysis has been completed for the Hanover Area Heritage Conference Center, and the community has completed a community visioning process. Both of these projects, along with the energy and momentum that has been created around

these projects contribute to now being their time. Their initiative is proceeding and the community is poised for fully engaging in the effort as volunteers, partners, and contributors, choosing to be part of the solution and the future of Hanover. Much credit needs to be given to the leadership and dedication of Gary Laird from the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce and the vision that that he shares with his board. And, as we all know, we can’t do this alone. Hanover has other visionaries like Scott Roland who has invested in downtown and continues to work to improve the town’s historic structures and bring new businesses to downtown. Everyone needs a “Scott Roland”, someone whose heart is linked to the community and is willing to make an investment and take a bit of a risk (sometimes larger than expected), but is willing to bet on our towns.Scott recently purchased the Battle of Gettysburg Electric Map that many of us may remember from our youth. The map was purchased from a federal auction once it was no longer desired as part of the Battle of Gettysburg visitor experience. Roland was determined to bring it to Hanover so that it could now be part of the Hanover visitor experience. He anticipates that it will add a bit of nostalgia from visitors whom he hopes will bring their own children and grandchildren to reminisce of their own experience that had been ongoing since 1963. They expect to add another section to the map to include the Battle of Hanover which occurred the day before the Battle of Gettysburg. To see photos of the map, http://www.eveningsun.com/localnews/ci_21840726/electric-map-its-way-hanover.

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Hanover has other stunning historic buildings that are awaiting their next phase of revitalization. The Hanover (State) Theater, built in 1928 as a 950 seat theater was originally designed to show silent films and live performances. The interior decorator was Arthur Brounett, a famed designer from New York. It is thought that only three Brounett theaters still remain. Unfortunately, it has gone through various conversions through the years, so several changes have been made to the interior. The Hanover Theater is another building that was listed by Preservation Pennsylvania as a Pennsylvania At Risk property in 2011, with the intent of drawing attention and interest to its preservation and future role in the community. I have a strong feeling that it’s their time next.

In the last few months, great change has

occurred and I believe that one reason for this is

that it is finally the right time, it's their

time.

Beth Wood Bergman, Field Outreach and Program Support Specialist

Meet theStaff

Beth is happy to be a part of the PDC Staff. By sharing her experiences and passions in community and economic

development, downtown revitalization, business and non-profit leadership, she hopes to be a resource for the PDC Membership.

Besides being a member of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center for over twenty years, Beth has had several roles with PDC that include chairing two conferences, serving on several conference committees, serving on the Board of Directors from 2000 through 2005, and as President of PDC from 2002 to 2004. Over time, she has held the title Main Street Manager, Downtown Manager or Executive Director in three Pennsylvania communities. Her first position was in her home town of Canton, located in Bradford County, with the Rekindle the Spirit Program. Beth went on to Tamaqua, where she served as their Downtown Manager for Tamaqua 2004. And from 1998 to 2011, she served as the Executive Director of the Main Street Office in Elizabethtown under the direction of the Elizabethtown Economic Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce.

Special projects from the communities where she has served include: the Pennsylvania Apple `n Cheese Festival; the restoration of the Rialto Theatre, a 154 seat, single screen theatre; the stabilization of the former Moose property in Downtown Tamaqua, and their acceptance in to the Pennsylvania Downtown Program; the Elizabethtown Guide; the Elizabethtown Downtown Master Plan, developed by Derck & Edson of Lititz, which has leveraged millions of dollars for the downtown community including the expansion of the existing MARS plant, the restoration of the Train Station and the renovation of Center Square.

In her new role at PDC, Beth serves part-time as both Field Outreach Specialist and Program Support Specialist. She is looking forward to this exciting journey of learning about and celebrating all of Pennsylvania’s unique downtowns and neighborhoods!

A SESSION SNEAK PEEK

In Reviewby Ashlee O. Shelton, Marketing & Membership Coordinator

PDC’s2012 Annual Statewide Conference


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The Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s Annual Conference took place in September of this year. The conference was a smaller

gathering than in years passed but nonetheless a meaningful congregation of downtown and neighborhood revitalization specialists. The conference was held at the very hospitable Nittany Lion Inn located in State College, Pennsylvania. The historic hotel was beautiful and accommodating to our group.

Weathering the Storm: Building Community Resistance in the Face of Adversity was the theme for the 2012 conference. The theme track featured sessions on disaster recovery planning, emergency management, risk management and FEMA’s grant programs. Elm Street organizations were offered sessions on volunteer development, energy efficiency in historic buildings and the community appearance index. Main Street leaders were taught how to become ‘gurus’ in the field by peers and partners in Lititz, Manheim and Ephrata. Cooperative business models were explored as a follow-up to the presentation by Josh Bloom at the 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Mobile tours have traditionally been some of the highlights during the PDC annual conference and the mobile tours in 2012 proved to follow suit. Attendees visited Bellefonte, a town that is no stranger to the adversity that results from disasters. Preservation Pennsylvania and Centre County Planning and Community Development representatives provided a detailed tour of the sites of three significant fires within the town of Bellefonte.

A Farm and Market Tour was also offered to attendees that served as a starting point to engage PDC members in a conversation about how we can best integrate the farm community, community supported agriculture (CSA) and farmers’ market development into our communities. Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) and the Pennsylvania Association of Sustainable Agriculture (PASA) met with our group over a picnic lunch to provide information. The group also visited the Boalsburg Farmers’ Market and Tait Farm.

An advanced session on design and historic preservation was offered as the preliminary session. We heard from D.S. Nicholas, RA AIA NCARB from Drexel University’s Department of Architecture. Simultaneously, Erin Hammerstedt ushered a large and eager group of conference attendees throughout downtown State College.

PDC is grateful to have had the participation of State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham, State College Borough and the Downtown State College Improvement District.

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To register, contact the PDC office at 717.233.4675WHENTuesday, January 29th from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, January 30th from 9:00 Am - 4:00 p.m.

WHEREComfort Suites Carlisle10 South Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 717-960-1000

LODGING INFORMATIONA block of rooms has been reserved for January 28 & 29. The cost is $109 @ night. This reduced price is good through January 7th, 2013.

There is a $3 charge per night for guests using the Borough Parking Garage.

UPCOMING MANAGER’S MEETINGABOUT THE MEETINGThis statewide gathering of managers will include presentations from representatives from Transportation for America and the Pa Historical and Museum Commission.

ABOUT THE SCHEDULEOn the morning of January 29th, a special session will be hosted from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on filling out community applications for those that are applying under the new guidelines

Other schedule highlights include:Transportation For America: A representative from Transportation for America will be present to discuss the new MAP-21 Federal transportation funding program. The “Transportation Alternatives” component of this program will replace the old Safe Routes to School and Transportations Enhancements funds. Learn how much money is available, how the new money will be distributed and how your program

might access these funds. PA Historical and Museum Commission(PHMC): Scott Doyle from PHMC will be present to provide an update on Pennsylvania’s new Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program. This will be a tremendous opportunity to come and learn how projects in your community might take advantage of the benefits of this program and get an update on the process and timing for submitting applications. Land Banking: PA recently approved a new land-banking law. While local units of government must establish the land bank, local non-profits may be contracted to provide services to the land bank. We will be trying to get a speaker from the PA Housing Alliance to the meeting to talk about this exciting new program.

2013 EVENTS CALENDAREVENT DATE TIME LOCATIONNew Manager Training Thursday, January 31st 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Harrisburg, PA

PDC Offices

Statewide Manager’s Meeting Tuesday & Wednesday, January 29th & January 30th

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Carlisle, PAComfort Inn

New Manager Training Monday, February 25th 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Harrisburg, PAPDC Offices

Asset Enhancement Academy Tuesday & Wednesday, February 26th & 27th

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Harrisburg, PAPDC Offices

Regional Leadership Forum Wednesday, April 3rd 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. OR6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

AllentownVenue TBA

Safe, Clean & Green Academy Tuesday & Wednesday, April 23rd & 24th

9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Harrisburg, PAPDC Offices

Advanced Strategic Planning (East) Tuesday, May 7th 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wilkes-BarreVenue TBA

Regional Manager’s Meeting (East) Wednesday, May 8th 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wilkes-BarreVenue TBA

Regional Leadership Forum Saturday, May 18th 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Greensburg, PAVenue TBA

Advanced Strategic Planning (West) Tuesday, May 21st 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Johnstown, PAVenue TBA

Regional Manager’s Meeting (West) Wednesday, May 22nd 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Johnstown, PAVenue TBA

Regional Leadership Forum Tuesday, June 4th 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. OR6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Lewisburg, PAVenue TBA

Advanced Strategic Planning (Central) Wednesday, June 5th 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Lewisburg, PAVenue TBA

New Manager Training Monday, June 24th 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Harrisburg, PAPDC Offices

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

Pennsylvania Downtown Center

Documents

centerPiece IS002 Winter 2012/2013