News
05.10.2008 - Help wanted
The CDC needs a clerical person to work 9 -12 Monday through Friday at the 204 Bridge Street location...we want someone who can file...create e mail lists...make a phone call...arrange a meeting...do mailings...basic stuff. Please send qualifications to MSCDC po box 64 Phoenixville PA 19460
05.10.2008 - Neighborhood development goals and objectives
Design:
Goal
Enhance the physical appearance of the area.
Objectives
1. Evaluate the Architecture in the target area - In the planning process we will develop a file for each of the properties and have a photo record of the beginning condition and classification according to use and style.
2. We will develop residential streetscape guidelines - For the improvement of the buildings and the public elements guidelines must be promulgated. Much of the work will be driven by the guidelines and standards set by the United States Secretary of Interior.
3. Historic impact of National Register properties- There will be a need for an analysis of the impact of any proposed improvements on Register properties. All of the work will take place in a national register district so there will be a need to interact with the HARB on a regular basis.
4. Incorporate Public Art projects - there is a need for increased public art in most scenarios. The Arts and Entertainment Committee of the CDC will determine the appropriateness of sculpture, murals and other works of art which will enhance the neighborhood environment. Again, this effort will be coordinated through the existing HARB.
Promotion:
Goal
Market Elm Street Area
Objectives
1. Work with existing organizations and programs – The Board will make a determination as to the amount and nature of the groups we will work with to enhance and market the area. There are existing organizations that conduct house tours and heritage celebrations. These organizations will be contacted in order not to re-create the wheel.
2. Develop an image enhancement program – Much of the public perception of housing in Phoenixville is lacking in positive accolades. A program will need to be developed in order to reposition the neighborhood in the regional marketplace. The work which will be done in the target area will encompass the adaptive reuse of older industrial buildings to housing as well as a general spruce up of the neighborhood houses and elements. This effort will provide ample opportunity for publicity in a positive vein. But in addition to dealing with the day to day issues relating to the press release/press story program other initiatives will need to occur.
a. Lifestyle magazine articles telling people about the lifestyle they could enjoy in the target area.
b. Public image TV spots featuring the advantages of urban life Phoenixville.
c. Articles in business publications like the Philadelphia Business Journal discussing housing investment in Phoenixville.
d. Brochures explaining the nature of the urban life style in Phoenixville with a location close to a downtown arts and entertainment district.
3. Create for Sale Listing – Do something very similar to what is done in a traditional Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) marketing package. A list of the units for sale distributed throughout the local resident community. The resident population of the area will use this item to create demand for the housing in the target area.
4. Work with Local Realtors- work with the realtors to get buy in establishing a good word of mouth about the target area.
5. Establish an identity for the area – Come up with a name for the area which will define the area and create buzz.
Neighborhood Restructuring:
Goal
Preserve the integrity of the Neighborhood composition and mix incomes once homeownership is established
Objectives
1. Establish Homeownership rates – perform an initial survey to find which units are rentals and what the rate of homeownership is in the area.
2. Establish affordability factor – survey the rental units to determine cost of purchase and preliminary write-ups for code improvements.
3. Identify potential adaptive reuse buildings – survey existing vacant industrial buildings for highest and best use
4. Identify potential areas for job creation – understand the economic dynamic of the area, attempt to bring new jobs to underutilized properties through real estate turnover and investor confidence.
5. Identify vacant and underutilized housing stock – survey ownership and availability of problem properties and utilize them as homeowner units.
6. Identify potential mixed use projects – Find the correct match between investor, space requirement, business, tenant and the like….act as a clearing house and match maker.
7. Identify potential match sources – Go through the laundry list of usual suspects, and perhaps be a little creative in approach to some nontraditional sources, when creating partners for specific projects and administrative opportunities.
Safe, Clean and Green:
Goal
Establish a safe clean environment in the Elm Street Area
Objectives
1. Inventory potential green space areas – check the vacant lots to determine if any can be used for passive parks, public art venues or potential new construction.
2. Determine the extent of the Streetscape issues – Inventory the potential projects that would fall into this category including increasing the street lighting, fixing the sidewalks and other safety and handicapped accessibility issues.
3. Create town watch – work through the organizational process to determine if there is an interest in a town watch. Have the town watch act as an advisory council with monthly meeting to determine the police activity and report and learn about issues confronting the community.
4. Determine the interest in Community Gardens – evaluate the feasibility of the potential for community gardens.
Organization:
Goal
Establish Consensus
Objectives
1. Amend By-laws – Change the by-laws of the organization to create a Community Development Corporation, which would have a broader charge.
2. Contact other organizations – Work to develop a relationship with other organizations to not duplicate services.
3. Seek Board members for the housing portion – develop a plan to integrate a housing board into the new community development corporation.
4. Get input form the banks and financial institutions – Seek the cooperation of the banks in the areas of mortgage lending and rehab financing, potential for establishing a loan pool and loosen underwriting guidelines for low income people.
5. Develop a volunteer base – work with the community to develop a group of people to take leadership positions.
05.10.2008 - Elm Street Narrative as part of an overall strategy
The project involves the complete revitalization of the North Side of Phoenixville The North Side area of Railroad Street and High Street is the recipient of a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant for curbs and sidewalks. The area is being surveyed and the engineering and design for the improvements are in the process of being put to bid. See bid documents (attached)
The North Side area is part of the target area for the CDC and comprises the primary concentration of minority population in the Borough of Phoenixville. The Residential Rehabilitation grant will be specifically for lighting in the area that is being improved with new sidewalks and curbs. The project specifically will address the following: sidewalk removal, new sidewalks, new cubs and removal of some existing curbs particularly where there is monolithic pours, replace storm water inlets, handicapped access, trees, removal of some steps, bilco door resets, utility pole removal, schedule 40 conduit, light pole bases and streetlight foundations.
The area borders the Andre Thornton Park, which is the primary community park on the North Side. The lighting would extend to the sidewalk in front of the Andre Thornton Park where Main Street meets High Street a block south from the new sidewalks.
The estimated cost of the lighting is $346,060. The area currently is the hang out for many drug dealers and increased lighting in paramount to the effort to concentrate and coordinate services to the area.
The Main Street Community Development Corporation (CDC) decided to work on the housing portion of the program even though the Elm Street grant was denied. The "Yarbrough Project" was born. The project differs from Department of Economic and Community Development (DCED) Elm Street guidelines because the organization contracting for the grant will be the CDC. The CDC coordinates the housing and commercial development activities in the target area, each with it's own separate committee.
The Pennsylvania Commission of Crime and Delinquency (C&D) offered a planning grant of $50,000 to devise a strategy for targeted community development services. The C&D planning grant enabled the organization to plan and provide services through the planning phase.
A housing target area was established on both sides of the downtown, the North Side and the South Side. Many of the same redevelopment activities are planned for both areas. There is a pressing need for the streetscape and housing facades to be improved.
Each Neighborhood would qualify for a $250,000 Neighborhood Reinvestment grant to improve the streetscape in the areas. Façade grants would be used eventually in conjunction with other grants offered by the County and an additional residential rehab application will be submitted to work on facades. Currently the County has no mechanism to fund redevelopment activities in a targeted area. The CDC has requested changes in the county plan to enable targeted areas to receive funding without going through the normal countywide delivery program.
One of the ideas brought forth was to utilize the residential rehabilitation funding to improve facades in the target area. This effort was to be packaged with a roof grant to secure the building envelope. Countywide programs dealing with code enforcement issues (new electric, new heater etc) would then be applied for by individual homeowners and put on the waiting list for services.
The idea was to secure the building envelope as soon as possible in the low/moderate income neighborhoods that face gentrification, and maintain equity for the indigenous population. By preserving equity in the home the homeowner would reap the benefits of increase in sale prices. Over 1000 new homes are being built in the borough almost all on the North Side in close proximity to the target area.
Countywide homeownership programs, regional weatherization funding and the like would be forwarded through the traditional intake process
Later upon acceptance into the Elm Street program, housing in the area will then be eligible for a 50% façade reimbursement. Façade grants would be available to homeowners and renters in the area. The area is a historic district and acts as the northern gateway to the downtown area. The Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) would approve all renovations.
The South Side plan is less definitive but will encompass many of the same elements of the North Side plan. There will be increased lighting on some of the streets to enable the safety factor of the area to be increased. Many of the homes in the South Side historic district are in need of repair and a little cleaning up to make them more presentable. The improvements would have to be approved by the HARB in most cases.
Part of the plan for the comprehensive housing and crime initiative is to locate rental housing in the target area, make sure they are zoned and licensed rental units, apply the code enforcement process, and potentially create tenant conversions if the property owner would rather sell than improve the illegal rental units.
A creative marketing effort would be initiated to develop an identity for the two areas and help improve home values and stabilize the neighborhood around the downtown area. The Yarbrough Project offers the opportunity to develop hybrid programs utilizing various funding opportunities to custom fit a project to the area.
Current Situational analysis relating to housing
A housing target area has been established on both sides of the downtown, The North Side and the South Side. Different activities are planned for both areas although there is a common need for the streetscape and housing facades to be improved in both areas.
These target areas are within mile from the edge of the downtown Phoenixville commercial district that is undergoing downtown revitalization. Housing deterioration, some gentrification, and crime connect these areas and the current Main Street downtown revitalization program.
The urgent nature of the neighboring residential problems confronting revitalization of the downtown sparked the Main Street committee to seek to widen the scope of the organization. Using the following Elm Street guidelines as a guide:
An existing Main Street organization and/or Neighborhood
Improvement District is encouraged to incorporate an Elm Street program
through appropriate by-law changes. An existing neighborhood non-profit may also
serve as the organization in charge of the Elm Street effort if a separate
committee/task force etc. has been established for this purpose. The involvement
of the Board through committees must be shown.
Two separate committees were created to represent the north side and the south side housing efforts. Each committee is made of residents of the respective area and meet monthly. A monthly meeting is also held of the combined committees along with the borough police and code enforcement personnel.
The By-laws of the Phoenixville Main Street Program were changed and a new organization, Main Street Community Development Corporation was initiated as the organization to deal with issues as they relate to the downtown and the neighboring area.
Due to the fact that the regulations for Elm Street does not let a community establish a program with 2 separate target areas the Main Street Community Development organization may forced to seek two Elm Street grants. If there is no Elm Street administrative funding the housing effort will be diminished. The Main Street Community Development Corporation (CDC) decided to work on the housing portion of the program even though the Elm Street grant was denied.
The idea was to secure the building envelope as soon as possible in the low/moderate income neighborhoods that face gentrification, and maintain equity for the indigenous population. By preserving equity in the home the homeowner would reap the benefits of increase in sale prices. Over 1000 new homes are being built in the borough almost all on the North Side in close proximity to the target area.
Countywide homeownership programs, regional weatherization funding and the like would be forwarded through the traditional central intake process.
05.10.2008 - Elm Street summary
Executive Summary
A. Specific Problem to be addressed
Elm Street Project:
The project is designed to address housing issues in an area adjacent to the downtown. The area known as the South Side area has an aging housing stock with a high concentration of rentals.
There are a number of vacant or underutilized industrial buildings in the target area. These vacants have an impact on the values of the surrounding residential community. There are has been a lack of reinvestment in many of the homes. A number of the housing units in the area have been converted to rental units. The result is a neighborhood which at times negatively impacts the downtown commercial district because some of the houses are home to drug dealers and a number of undesirables.
The lack of reinvestment in the housing stock has given the perception of blight in many of the blocks in the neighborhood.
A planning study is requested in an effort to become a full designation Elm Street program. Once the planning designation is complete the following problems will be addressed, pending the results of the planning study.
The problems to be researched in the study are as follows:
· Diminished homeownership
· Disinvestment in commercial and residential units
· Underutilized land
· Lack of outreach for exiting programs
· Non-inviting streetscape
· Crime
· Lack of public art
· Poor image
· Lack of information to local residents about properties for sale
The planning study introduced new issues to the Elm Street work plan including comprehensive code enforcement on major property owners (DeMutis Properties, Overstreet properties), expansion of the Neighborhood watch to the West End (Dave Gill proposal), citizen interaction in the residential single family houses/apartment conversions/ landscaping requirements (planning commission initiative), commercial uses in residential neighborhoods (south side watchband issue), preservation of historic buildings (Jim Del Nero initiative)
Residential Reinvestment:
The residential reinvestment project has been entitled the will piggy back on the existing $250,00 CDBG grant for new sidewalks and curbs on the North Side. The plan would be to install streetlights on Railroad and High Streets where the new sidewalk is created. . We would hope to package façade improvement with other programs to ensure that many of the houses on the north side are upgraded at a later date.
A $250,000 Southside residential reinvestment grant would be applied for through the CAT process later in the program.
B. Project Description
Elm Street Project:
The Elm Street planning project will secure citizen involvement to determine the ultimate destiny and direction of the program. There will be at least one public hearing to secure input and perhaps a few block meetings to determine need in specific blocks.
5 points – organization
On the organizational front there will be a concerted effort before the planning grant is awarded to create an organization capable in handling the increased responsibility.
Much of the work to get linkages to organizations act as a partner will be done within the planning process. They are as follows:
Chester County Housing Partnership – First Time Homeownership, Home maintenance program, credit counseling and housing rehab funding.
Phoenixville Homes - Local CHODO for advice and perhaps as a pass-through for certain programs
Town Watch – To gain assistance in seeking to establish a town watch and perhaps as a partner for leveraged LLEBG funding.
Chester County Office of Housing and Community Development – The conduit for Community Development Block Grant and HOME money through the Urban County Program.
Seek Board members from the community to serve on the newly formed Elm Street committee. A comprehensive outreach effort will be started through the planning process. This effort will also set the stage for volunteer development during the implementation phase.
There will be an effort during the planning process to get local banks to become involved as active partners. Loan funds, special incentives to homebuyers, rehabilitation incentives specially designed to work with façade grants will be explored with the participating banks.
5 points- Safe Clean and Green
There will be an initial inventory of potential green space projects. There will be a goal to create three passive parks for some form of recreational usage.
A survey of the current lighting standards and determine the need for additional lighting in some of the areas will be worked on during the implementation stage of the project.
The implementation phase will also address the issue of crime through the creation/expansion of the community watch program. In the initial phase of the organizational portion and information gathering the interest in this facet of the program will be determined. The establishment of a police advisory committee will also be discussed during the implementation phase.
There may be an interest in creating community gardens. The planning portion of the initial grant will have as a work item the feasibility of such an activity. There will have to be enough vacant land and there will have to be a trade off with the potential for housing development and passive green space recreational activities.
5 points- Design
The project is in the historic district there will be a need to create an individual file for each of the properties. A picture as well as a spec sheet which will delineate any outstanding architectural features. The spec sheet will be cross-purpose and embrace some aspects of the Neighborhood restructuring activities. It is assumed that the only way the Elm Street program will be successful is through the integration of all of the points working together in a manner similar to the Main Street program.
There will be a need in the planning process to develop streetscape guidelines to determine the kinds of activities that will make the greatest impact. Increased street lighting may be necessary in order to act as a deterrent to crime and drug dealing activities. In addition the street lighting project could offer elements of good design to complement the increased activity in façade restoration and rehabilitation.
Streetscape elements need to be clearly defined early to ensure that a proper survey could be secured to expedite any street improvements.
There will need to be an educational effort to establish a sense of awareness of the historic district. The improvements will need to conform to the existing regulations as the borough through the HARB dictates them.
Public Art Projects will be part of any streetscape improvements to increase the awareness of the strong artistic community living in the target area and creating pride in the area. The economics of adding amenities in a residential setting can not be overlooked when discussing potential ways to increase value and develop a sense of place.
5 points – promotion
In the implementation phase there will be a need to work with many of the existing groups that currently promote the area. These groups conduct house tours throughout the area. The historic homes are of particular interest to many. During Christmas there is a significant historic house tour that is popular and brings many people into the neighborhoods to see the great architecture and design.
There is need to develop a public relations campaign to buffer some of the impressions of Phoenixville to the home buying community. Many of the property values are depressed based on some of the negative characterizations portrayed in the press.
There will be a need during the planning process to develop a basic package and road map for combating the image issue. It is necessary to do this early in the Elm Street process. A multi-media approach consisting of TV commercials, well placed stories in newspapers, magazines and journals could significantly turn the tide concerning the negatives associated with housing in Phoenixville.
A list of properties for sale would aid individuals currently residing in the neighborhood in securing housing close to their current residence. The aim of the Phoenixville Community Development Corporation will be to convert as many tenants to homeowners and seek to place renters in the neighborhood in seminal houses as homeowners. There is not a move to gentrify the neighborhood but instead mix the incomes to make the neighborhood a melting pot and a living laboratory of human relations open to all races creeds and income levels. By developing homeownership opportunities during the early project phases lower income people will be able to realize the appreciation that occurs in the later phases.
There will be a need to develop a relationship with realtors to get the word out that the neighborhood is going up the charts with a bullet.
An identity will need to be established for the area. The development of a catchy name, an identity that people could identify with when they talk about their neighborhood is a necessity. People being proud of their surroundings will go a long way to market the area and improve the overall perception of the area.
5 points - Neighborhood Restructuring
Through the comprehensive community survey there will be an effort to determine whether the occupant is a homeowner or a renter. The homeowners will be approached for façade and rehabilitation work and the renters will be approached for tenant conversion.
In the survey there will need to be a condition assessment that will dictate the amount of rehab necessary and document the condition or rental units. There may need to be a comprehensive code enforcement effort in order to turn of the rental units to homeowner units. The condition will establish an affordability factor which can then be worked backwards through the county programs (rehab loans and financial assistance) to see if there is the potential for conversion based on a limited down payment and an appraisal value for comparable sale properties.
A survey will be done of properties that are currently underutilized industrial or commercial properties. These properties could either be used as housing conversions or they could be used as vehicles for job creation. There may be a potential for mixed-use projects in the industrial commercial buildings.
Ownership issues, bankruptcy, tax liens, railroad right away issues and issues yet to be discovered await the Elm Street manager when dealing with these properties. Complex but not undoable the potential is great and the work will be long arduous and sometimes boring but the reward will be success.
There will be a need to integrate potential sources of match and other opportunities to make this project a success. A well though out planning document will act as a guide to develop the neighborhood to a thriving sought after place to live.
Residential Reinvestment
There is a need for a general clean –up fix up and face lift for the north side area. Looked upon as one of the biggest eyesores in town the buildings are in drastic need of improvement. May of the facades are neglected but to a great extent left in the original architectural condition. In some case the buildings have been improved by people with an odd sense of aesthetics but for the most part remain intact. Although they are intact they have serious problems relating to neglect.
There will be an outreach effort to determine what the ownership situation is with all of the buildings. A willingness to improve the housing and the extent the housing could potentially be rehabilitated will determine the need for outside funding. The project is CDBG eligible. There may be an opportunity to package other funding depending upon the constraints of the funding.
For example if the unit is a homeowner unit it may qualify for the Chester County Housing Partnership rehab program, which is a $10,000 ten year 0% interest loan. A program like that could be packaged with a $2500 neighborhood reinvestment grant for the façade to make a difference in the building. Many of the buildings are in need of work on the actual building envelope so there may be a possibility to fund estimate items like roof and windows with the Housing partnership loan.
There are some vacant lots with different types of outdoor storage, primarily old junk type autos which may present an opportunity to provide some code enforcement activities and supplement those activities with some green space funding to create a more aesthetically pleasing environment in the north side area.
The sidewalks and the street lighting were not the best. There were discontinuous areas of sidewalk as well as rusty looking cobrahead lights and poles. Sidewalk improvement and curb work has be funded through the CDBG process and supplemented with a DCED Residential Rehab grant. Lights to be installed this fall through another County grant.
There are a few houses that are well maintained and look like they are homeowner units. These homes may benefit form the façade program to add the extra touches that could be garnered through paining or increased landscaping.
A façade program would be introduced and depending upon the ability to package additional streetscape money there will be a streetscape project. The extent of the streetscape project will need to be determined and any additional dollars will need to be secured through different sources. When the scope of the façade improvements is determined the project for the streetscape could move forward with vigor.
If approximately 20 houses take advantage of the $5000 grant which will be a supplementary application for residential rehabilitation. This application will be submitted at a later date.
C. Project Milestones
Elm Street
The study would commence upon notification of the grant award. The initial assessment would be brought to the planning commission for further input. A preliminary report would be ready sometime near the beginning of June and a public hearing for input would be sometime in mid June. The final report would be issue to the Commonwealth shortly after and an application for full designation would be submitted January 1, 2009.
Residential Reinvestment
There will be a need to determine the nature and extent of the residential rehab before there is a determination of the streetscape activities.
The façade program could be started as soon as the funds are secured. Within 6 months of receiving the funds we will be able to determine the use demand for the façade funding. We will then start on the streetscape most likely next spring with construction beginning in the summer.
05.10.2008 - Director's Resume
BARRY CASSIDY
211 Cherry Street
Downingtown, Pennsylvania 19335
Phone: 484-880-1530
E-Mail: barrycassidy@comcast.net
WORK EXPERIENCE
Main Street Community Development – Phoenixville PA
· Implemented Arts and Entertainment Economic Development Strategy
· Leveraged over five million government dollars for improvements and open space preservation
South Street Headhouse Business District Authority – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
· Manage Entertainment District, emphasizing "Safe and Clean" program.
· Secured $1,000,000 streetscape grant, $50,000 fountain repair grant, $15,000 market analysis grant, and over $35,000 in promotions grants to enhance the district.
Main Street Manager – Downingtown, Pennsylvania – 1994 to 2002
· Supervised downtown revitalization, using the Main Street 4-Point approach.
· Projects included streetscape, joint advertising, economic development, grant writing, and business district management.
Planning and Development Consultant – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 1992 to 1994
· Obtained and supervised train station revitalization grant and low-interest loan pool in Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
· Developed Business District Authority plan in Lower Merion Township, Pennsylvania.
· Wrote HOPE II proposal for Philadelphia Southwest Community Development Corporation (CDC).
Executive Director CDC – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – 1991 to 1992
· Executive Director of New Kensington CDC.
· Organized and provided home mortgage counseling, leveraged vacant rehabilitation of low-income housing stock, obtained energy assistance, and conducted fundraising.
Main Street Manager – DuBois, Pennsylvania – 1986 to 1991
· Managed downtown revitalization utilizing the Main Street 4-point approach, including streetscape, tourist development, facade program, and fundraising.
· Functioned as the redevelopment authority director and the parking authority director.
Main Street Manager – Lock Haven, Pennsylvania – 1985
· Managed established 2-point program; main issues addressed included facade (design) and promotion.
· One restored building received award from the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission.
Trade Readjustment Administrator – Charleroi, Pennsylvania –1981 to 1983
· Determined adjustment amounts in Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Labor and Industry pass-through Federal program to aid those unjustly impacted by steel dumping in the United States.
Weatherization Director – Washington, Pennsylvania – 1979 to 1981
· Administered program to provide free weatherization services to low-income individuals.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore Investor Coordinator – Baltimore, Maryland – 1977 to 1979
· Provided bond issue first mortgage financing with a second mortgage for rehabilitation to low-income individuals.
· Secured investor financing for large-scale project-based section 8.
County Executive Staff Position – Baltimore County, Maryland – 1975 to 1979
· Managed urban county fair, with main areas of focus including community relations, public speaking, production, fundraising, sales, and advertising.
· Fair featured Cypress Garden's Ski Show, a host of nationally known music acts, high divers, auto thrill show, and circus acts booked through Ringling Brothers.
Union Business Agent – Memphis, Tennessee – 1973 to 1975
· Organized labor unions in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee for the United Furniture Workers Union.
· Processed grievances through arbitration.
· Organized unions in factories located in Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
AFSCME Council 13 Union Organizer – Harrisburg, Pennsylvania – 1972
· Organized non-profit hospitals in Pennsylvania for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees.
· Organized first private non profit hospital in Pennsylvania under Act 195
AFL – CIO Industrial Union Department Research Staff – Washington, D.C. – 1971
· Researched Occupational Safety and Health legislation.
· Conducted National education program explaining the Act
EDUCATION
· Carnegie Mellon University – Independent study course short of Masters of Public Management – 1984.
· West Virginia State College – B.A. in Political Science – Graduated 1971.
· John F. Kennedy Memorial High School – Iselin, New Jersey – Graduated 1967.
BARRY CASSIDY
GRANTS SECURED
2008 Chester County $255,000 Streetscape north side
2007 Chester County $750,000 water system filtration
2006 DCED $60,000 Administration
2006 DCED $30,000 Facade
2006 Chester County $11,400 HARB Guidelines
2006 DCED $250,000 Residential Rehabilitation
2006 Hometown Streets $1,000,000 Streetscape
2006 Chester County $1,000,000 Streetscape
2005 DCNR $467,500 Park Acquisition
2005 Chester County $297,500 Park Acquisition
2005 Home Town Streets $1,000,000 Streetscape
2005 Home Town Streets $1,000,000 Streetscape
2005 DVRPC $35,000 Market Analysis
2004 Community and Economic Development $250,000 Anchor Building
2004 Community and Economic Development $65,000 Administration and Facade
2002 City of Philadelphia Capital Budget $1,000,000 Streetscape
2002 Community and Economic Development $50,000 Fountain Repair
2002 Philadelphia Commerce Department $15,000 Market Analysis
2002 Philadelphia Commerce Department $20,000 Promotion Grants
2000 Growing Greener $141,000 Riparian Buffer
2000 Community Development Block Grant $250,000 Community Center
2000 DVRPC $45,000 Charette Planning Grant
1999 T-21 $1,100,000 Streetscape
1999 Community and Economic Development Keystone Opportunity Zone
1998 Community and Economic Development $1,000,000 Industrial Sites Reuse
1998 Community and Economic Development $500,000 Streetscape
1998 Community Development Block Grant $349,000 Streetscape
1997 Department of Community Affairs $86,000 Main Street
1997 Department of Community Affairs $45,000 Historic Facade
1993 ISTEA $495,000 Train Station Restoration
1993 Department of Community Affairs $95,000 Loan Fund
1992 Community Development Block Grant $600,000 Housing Rehab
1992 Community Development Block Grant $236,000 Mortgage Counseling
1992 Philadelphia Foundation $18,000 Administrative
1991 Community Development Block Grant $500,000 Housing Rehab
1991 Community Development Block Grant $218,000 Mortgage Counseling
1991 Pew Charitable Trusts $100,000 Administrative
1991 Fels Fund $45,000 Administrative
1991 Philadelphia Foundation $15,000 Administrative
1990 Department of Community Affairs $100,000 Housing Rehab
1989 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts $30,000 Artist in Education
1988 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts $5,000 Artist Incentive
1987 Community Development Block Grant $250,000 Fire House Construction
1987 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts $5,000 Artist Incentive
1986 Community Development Block Grant $275,000 Streetscape
1986 Department of Community Affairs $86,000 Main Street
1986 Department of Community Affairs $75,000 Historic Facade
1986 Department of Community Affairs $30,000 Historic Facade
1985 Department of Community Affairs $100,000 Historic Facade
1985 Department of Community Affairs $15,000 Market Analysis
1979 U.S. Housing and Urban Development $100,000 Roof Repair
05.10.2008 - Sign Up Now Citizens for the Train
Citizens for the Train
Connecting underutilized networks of transportation
Name _____________________________________________
Address ___________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Phone Numbers _____________________________________
___________________________________________________
Special Skills you might be able to contribute: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mail to :
Citizens for the Train
PO Box 64
Phoenixville PA 19460
05.08.2008 - Mission Statement -Citzens for the Train
MISSION STATEMENT AS OF May 8, 2008
The immediate mission of the citizens for the train is to determine if there could be a train project to connect Phoenixville to Paoli.
Previous missions accomplished:
a. Devise a scope of services and a fee for conducting a market study
b. Secure Funding for the study
c. Delivered a cost of construction study
05.08.2008 - History of Citizens for the Train
"Citizens for the Train" was established through the efforts of the Main Street Community Development Corporation. The corporation reviewed the current public transportation linking Phoenixville with the other parts of Chester County. It was determined that there was a need to increase the level of transportation service to enable the citizens to more connect with Chester County.
The initial idea was to connect underutilized networks of transportation, reviewing railroad right of ways and lines currently active for freight. Through a series of meetings with government, planning and practitioners it was determined there was little interest by any existing group to take the lead in this kind of rail project. It appeared that there was great popular interest for rail service connecting to the R-5.
On one first Friday, in downtown Phoenixville, people visiting the Community Development Corporation office proposed the citizens for the train. An organizational sign-up sheet was established and the loosely confederated group was formed. There have been two correspondences (newsletters) to the citizens interested. The first asked for comment on the study criteria. Hearing no comments the Main Street Community Development Corporation arranged for private funding for the initial market study.
Citizens for the Train is an advocacy group, seeking change in the current transportation options. The Main Street Community Development Corporation has assigned Barry Cassidy as staff for the project. The Main Street Community Development Corporation has also established a line item in the special projects fund for the Citizens for the Train. The Main Street Community Development Corporation is a 501 C-3 organization.
05.08.2008 - Train Project
We are looking at securing the scope for the next round of work from the consultant. When the scope for the next phase is submitted we will try to get the money. I think we have a good shot...but i did find out that there is a DVRPC forcasting model we need to use. Not only will this put us in a higher cost bracket for the study but i am not sure the model applies. I am checking now to see if it an attribute study (regression analysis) and ascertain the componets of the model. We need to analyze the process and perhaps develop a hybrid if there are gaps in the DVRPC product.
05.08.2008 - Streetscape progress
We are hoping to get the streetscape off this year...the 2 million dollar project was delayed due to efforts of the Borough administration and moved quickly after there was a change. We are about to get all the approvals soon. once that happens we have 90-120 days which will take us to December or January
05.08.2008 - Tiny Hiney's Moves
Tiny Hiney's have moved intot he Fiber Building on Taylor Alley. It will be hard to get to with the Bridge being out and all, but...if you go around Taylor Alley you can access it from the rear.
05.08.2008 - Ferris Wheel to come to town
We are currently assessing the viability of putting the ferris wheel form asbury park in Phoenixville. It is a real old one...can not be used but will serve as art...relating tot he Steel property...it was made in Phoenixville sometime in the late 1890's.
With the efforts of myself and Barb Cohen we seek to make it happen. She suggested me paint it blue to give the lights context....and everyone knows we are all about context at the CDC
05.08.2008 - Summer Music Series schedule announced!
The schedule for the third annual Summer Music Festival has been announced. Running from June 6 until September 5th, this years music series promises to build on the momentum of the past two summers. In addition to music and street performers, this year will feature non-food vendors as well as a 'soapbox' which will allow people to voice their opinions on any and everything. Take a look at our Calendar for complete details on performances.