Community Outreach Meeting Highlights
As promised, here are the highlights from last week’s community meeting at West Penn Hospital, along with the slide presentations from Mainstreets Manager Karla Owens and Senator Jim Ferlo. Thank you to BDC Secretary Judy Koll for taking the minutes.
Meeting Highlights
BBA/BDC President Ben Forman welcomed everyone and thanked West Penn Hospital and Senator Jim Ferlo. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to engage the community in developing a shared vision for the future of Bloomfield’s commercial corridor, to discuss neighborhood issues, and to inform and educate everyone regarding the goals and purpose of the newly-formed Bloomfield Development Corporation.
The organizational history and structure of the BBA & BDC were discussed by Karla Owens, Mainstreets Manager & Executive Director of the BDC.
Senator Jim Ferlo discussed advantages of participation in the Mainstreets Program, which will provide grants through the Urban Redevelopment Authority for the revitalization of the Bloomfield business district through historic preservation and façade/design updates.
The following topics were highlighted:
- Advantages of BBA membership
- BBA/BDC revenues and expenses
- 2008 Holiday lighting deficit
- 2008–2009 BDC grants — received and pending
- BDC 2009 goals
- Upcoming BBA activities
- City and local partnerships/Little Italy Days partners
Guest Speakers included:
- Marjorie Howard
Senior Community Development Specialist, Community Technical Assistance Center - Sarah Dieleman Perry
Program Officer, Pittsburgh Partnership for Neighborhood Development - Josette Fitzgibbons
Mainstreets Pittsburgh Program Coordinator, Urban Redevelopment Authority
A question and answer period followed the meeting. Neighborhood residents and business owners expressed opinions regarding the topics discussed as well as their interest in signing up for committees.
Slide Presentations
Bloomfield Development Corporation
Bloomfield: Revitalization Through Historic Preservation