CLEARFIELD – Seats were at a premium during Wednesday night’s Clearfield Revitalization Corporation’s first Town Meeting at Moena’s in Downtown Clearfield.
The purpose of the meeting was to introduce the CRC, the Main Street Program and to unveil the Main Street Program’s Façade Grant Program.
Main Street Manager Kellie Truman thanked everyone for coming to the meeting before giving some background on the CRC. She said it was a little over a year since their last public meeting, which was a vision meeting.
“Since that first meeting, the CRC has really progressed,” said Truman.
Truman harkened back to the past when Clearfield was designated as an All-American City and said that they ultimately want that designation again for Clearfield.
The four committees of the CRC were introduced and each gave an overview of their roles. These committees cover promotion, economic restructuring, organization and design.
Rob Bozovich heads the promotion committee. Two of the ways they plan to cover promotion are through two different event categories: retail events and social events. Bozovich said they would like to plan between four-to-six events a year.
“That way we really get people into town and see what we’re about,” said Bozovich.
Mike Errigo discussed the Economic Restructuring Committee. He explained that his committee is trying to find out what businesses are downtown, as well as who their employees and customers are. Errigo said this will help to bring other businesses to town and to help existing employees.
Rob Swales talked about the Organization Committee. He said they coordinate between the other committees, the CRC’s five-year plan, create the budget and explore grant and funding opportunities.
Katie Miknis discussed the Design Committee and Façade Grant Program.
“We’ve spent many long hours working on these guidelines,” said Miknis. “We want people to look at our town and feel a warm, welcoming feeling.”
She discussed why design counts, what qualifies as a façade improvement and CRC Design Committee projects.
In talking about ‘why design,’ Miknis said that first impressions count. She pointed to some goals, such as getting Downtown Clearfield into top physical shape and instilling proper maintenance practices, among other items.
Miknis said that Design Committee projects will include creating design guidelines and application, administering the Department of Community and Economic Development Façade Grant, maintaining a visual inventory of downtown buildings, mural work and public art projects and streetscape beautification.
What counts under the Façade Grant Program are painting, masonry cleaning, awnings, window and door replacement, signage, exterior lighting, aluminum removal, original architecture restoration and window box projects. She stated that these are only sample projects, and that if downtown property owners are not sure of a proposed project, to contact the CRC.
She stated that the façade grant is bi-annual and that applications will be accepted in February and June. More information about the Façade Grant will be available at a Façade Grant Workshop for merchants and business owners. This will be held on Feb. 3 between 5 and 7 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church’s Westminster Hall.
After the presentation Truman said that she was overwhelmed with the community’s support. She said it’s key for the CRC and downtown to have that support.