Created and grounded by volunteers who are inspired by their community’s heritage, the Clearfield, Philipsburg and DuBois Main Street programs will continue to pave the way toward the betterment of their downtown districts for residents and visitors alike.
“Volunteers established our programs and drive our programs today. We wouldn’t exist without them,” said Karen Vanderhoff, program manager for the Downtown DuBois Revitalization Group. “ . . . A community is about everyone. I wouldn’t want to see a community driven by just one person.”
In fact, program volunteers devoted 2,921 hours in Clearfield, 1,333 hours in DuBois and 711 hours in Philipsburg last year alone. The Pennsylvania Downtown Center values one volunteer hour at $19.61, translating into a combined in-kind investment of $97,363.65 for the three communities in 2010.
“Revitalization doesn’t happen without volunteers. Volunteers drive these organizations. These programs, this movement will not continue without the volunteers,” said Kellie Truman, main street manager for the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. “A part of revitalization is the volunteerism showing that the community members buy into their town. People will buy into a community that believes in itself.”
Clearfield
Although her program is still in its infancy, Truman plans for it to undertake a major park bench project this spring. Initial plans are for the placement of seven black, wrought-iron Victorian park benches in between the lamp posts along East Market Street outside of the Clearfield County Courthouse, she said.
According to her, Clearfield Borough officials have plans to install benches throughout both the Upper and Lower Witmer Parks in the downtown. However, she hopes to see business and community sponsors, so that additional park benches can be “scattered” throughout the downtown district.
“It’s going to enhance the walkability of our community and create a cohesive environment and vibrant atmosphere. It’s going to bring people here and create a buzz and spirit,” she said.
This year, she also would like to see the CRC provide more educational and community workshops. She wants business owners to be presented with a forum during which they can come together and work toward a common goal – community betterment.
Truman believes these outlets educate business owners about the importance of their street and storefront presentations while also enabling and empowering them to create a cohesive image of the downtown. By working together, they’ll better greet visitors with a friendly welcome, she said.
Truman said the spring and fall Façade Improvement grants will be awarded again this year. However, this year, she must also collect letters of intent from any business or property owner wishing to improve their storefronts in 2011-12.
Because there are unknowns surrounding funding, she must demonstrate to the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development that a demand for it still exists.
While last year’s event favorites – “The Amazing Race,” “The Anything that Floats Boat Regatta” and “The Spirit of the Downtown Tour” – are slated to return, Truman said there are plans under way for the inaugural “Deer Lovely Ladies Tour.” She said the beverage tasting tour will be a spin-off for women during the primarily male-oriented March Madness sales event in Clearfield.
She said their hope is to draw out-of-town visitors who will make it a two-day, get-away weekend. “We want them to come in, stay and invest in our downtown for a wonderful experience. We want them to remember that experience and say, ‘hey, let’s go back,’” she said.
In addition, they are currently entertaining and brainstorming ideas for a fall festival downtown. However, nothing has been set in stone, and they’re only in the exploratory stages.
If plans would come to fruition for the event, Truman said they want it to be fun for people of all ages, especially local children. For the time being, she wants the CRC to “start off small,” but she believes the opportunity exists for it to evolve into a beautiful, fall event.
Anyone interested in further exploring the possibilities of a downtown fall festival is asked to contact Truman at the Main Street program office by phone at 814-765-6000 or via e-mail at crc.manager@gmail.com.
Philipsburg
According to Emily Gette-Doyle, program manager for the Moshannon Valley Economic Development Partnership Inc., which jointly operates its Main Street program with the Philipsburg Revitalization Corp, their “biggest priority” this year surrounds earning an Elm Street designation.
Gette-Doyle described the Elm Street program as a “sister” to the Main Street program. If one of the six approved annually by the state’s DCED, the Philipsburg program vision will expand its focus into “neighborhood revitalization” with plans of “building an enhanced community on heritage and social innovation.”
She said an Elm Street Community designation would not only channel continued funding streams, but would also position the Philipsburg community for the benefits of a comprehensive approach to its program goals.
In addition, Gette-Doyle said the Main Street program would focus its tourism efforts toward heritage travel and historical assets, such as the Simler House and Rowland Theatre. By promoting its unique history and landmarks state- and nation-wide, their hope lies with attracting more townspeople and visitors.
While not everyone has been acquainted with the downtown, there are plans to increase and improve “way-finding” and historic district signage. “We want to preserve and promote our historic assets, but if they’re not familiar, they’ll need to find it,” she said.
She said their promotions committee also plans to better develop cross-retail sales among businesses in the downtown. They want businesses to work together and help each other by offering “cluster promotions.” For example, she offered ideas like dinner and a movie and jewelry and flowers.
Gette-Doyle hopes to see the downtown communities of Philipsburg, Clearfield and DuBois become interconnected in promotions to visitors. For her, each offers different experiences, but all give off that “downtown feel,” she said.
“History is No. 1 and so important. It’s our biggest asset and among the biggest reasons that people are traveling. People want something real authentic,” she said.
“They’re drawn by the energy embodied in the historical presentation that we’ve worked so hard to preserve. People remember it, and it sticks with them.”
Gette-Doyle said they would like the residents to gather together, enjoy and connect with their downtown and to always know it as their home.
DuBois
In DuBois, Vanderhoff came aboard in June of last year, noting the DDRG is currently in its fifth year, which makes it an ideal time to reevaluate and reestablish its priorities.
But for now, she said its building workshop and vendor expo top the to-do list, as it’s scheduled for Monday, Feb. 28 at the DuBois Country Club. Attendees will learn of the resources available to assist them in the façade improvements and historical preservations of their buildings.
“We want to attract businesses and developers into the downtown. We want to attract people into our downtown,” Vanderhoff said. “We must fill our vacant properties, improve our blight properties and get these back on our tax rolls.”
She said there are plans to continue its concentration on aesthetic improvements through its Façade Improvement grant program. Business and property owners receive assistance through the program, which in turn facilitates improvements and investments in the “look and feel” of the downtown.
Vanderhoff hopes to see the trend of betterment continue through this 50 percent matching grant. But at the same time, she wants her office to become “the hub of information” to business and property owners, so they become aware of the other opportunities that exist.
In addition, the DDRG has its usual full slate of events and plans to bring back its “First Fridays Block Parties,” which are held from 5 – 8 p.m. on the first Friday of every month from May through September.
According to her, the DDRG closes off one block of West Long Avenue and provides live entertainment, food and activities. She said the block parties “are like a mini carnival but without the rides” and promise a lot of fun.
However, this spring will also bring an art walk to downtown Dubois that’s to be open to the public from April 30 through May 6, leading into the First Friday program, Vanderhoff said.
Although there’s still months left of planning, Christmas comes pretty high on its list. As usual, there will be “Light-up Night” around the Thanksgiving holiday and its big pancake breakfast as well as the holiday open house for shoppers.
“We want to draw people into our downtown. We want them to revive old traditions and start new traditions with their families and friends. We want to get them to come back,” she said.
