CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough Operations Manager Leslie Stott detailed the plans and progress of the borough’s Streetscape Project during Tuesday’s workshop meeting of the Clearfield County Commissioners.
Clearfield Borough has received a $3 million transportation enhancement grant for its Streetscape Project through the state’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
The Streetscape Project will encompass Cherry to Bridge Street on Second Street; Bridge to Cherry Street on Front Street; and Market Street between Front and Third Streets.
According to Stott, the Streetscape Project will include the installation of new sidewalks, upgrades to lighting and electricity, removing and then planting new trees and updates to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.
She said the Shade Tree Commission has worked diligently to find more ideal trees for downtown Clearfield. The new trees, she said, will be lower-lying, out of the utilities and make maintenance easier on downtown merchants.
Also, Stott said the installation of LED lighting will give the borough an opportunity to have Penelec remove more expensive lighting that’s been in place. “It’ll give us the opportunity to save a little money there,” she said.
When asked by Commissioner John A. Sobel, she said light posts are not being replaced as part of the Streetscape Project. She said they were previously replaced and will be taken down and put back up. However, she noted electricity upgrades will allow ease for vendors during street fairs, festivals and music events at Shaw Park.
Stott said the borough’s Streetscape Project will tie into previous work completed on Third Street and the CNB Bank as well as with the Clearfield County Economic Development Corp.’s (CCEDC) Riverfront Redevelopment Project.
The riverwalk, she said, will be a one-mile loop connecting the Nichols and Market Street Bridges. She said it will not be a boardwalk as perceived by the public and will be land-based to ensure its longevity for years to come.
So far as her knowledge of Riverfront Project plans, she said there’s to be significant electricity available at the Novey Park. She said they would like to see it utilized for craft fairs, and she believed it would be a nice location for a wedding.
“In our planning, we were trying to look for uses besides travel,” said Stott. “We want to draw people into downtown Clearfield.” She said they partnered with Visit Clearfield County (VCC) and have plans to make a porta potty available in Lower Witmer Park for canoers/kayakers.
Additionally, she said the Clearfield Revitalization Corp. (CRC) will continue to seek sponsors for new benches, bike racks, planters and garbage cans for downtown Clearfield. “We want to get the whole community involved,” she said.
Stott said the borough’s Streetscape Project has already moved along faster than expectations. She said M&B Services of Clarion is completing the project, and streetscapes are its niche. She said most of the Streetscape Project could be completed by fall.
Commissioner Joan Robinson-McMillen believed when people see the finished Streetscape Project, they will embrace the changes to downtown Clearfield. “When they see the more plentiful trees that will highlight the town, they’ll see it as a good thing.”
Stott pointed out that downtown Clearfield doesn’t have one “Main Street” but is more of a grid. “It’s all going to flow and tie together.” Commissioner Mark B. McCracken concurred, saying it will be a “plus” to tie the end of town near CVS Pharmacy to the other end at Cherry Street.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the Streetscape Project can contact Stott at the Clearfield Borough Administrative Office.
