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Centre Daily Times February 16 2005
Workshops bring together ideas on future of borough
By Mason Neely; For the CDT
"Residents poured into the Bellefonte Elementary School last week to help local leaders shape the future of the borough's downtown.
Organized by the Bellefonte Intervalley Chamber of Commerce, the Tuesday meeting was the first of four workshops intended to bring merchants, citizens and community planners together to brainstorm about how to revitalize and market Bellefonte.
Ed LeClear, special projects coordinator from the Pennsylvania Downtown Association lead the evening's discussion, citing Bellefonte's architectural, cultural and historical assets as considerable advantage over many towns that attempt to revamp their image.
"Bellefonte has a tradition of revitalization efforts," he said to the crowd of about 75. "Because you're starting at such a better position, the tools are all here, the assets are here and there's so much that can be accomplished."
In a short presentation, LeClear outlined a number of attributes that define an attractive downtown, including appearance, friendliness and commercial appeal. He then asked the audience to take stock of which qualities can be found within the borough and which ones might need a bit of work to improve.
He stressed that the success of any revitalization project starts with an honest inventory of what assets a community can build on. "What (the PDA) has found is that many municipalities start with the idea that they can do anything they want. But you have to be realistic in what you have and what you want this town to be," he said.
LeClear also called on residents to embrace the expansion around the borough and State College, calling the threat of national chains and department stores moving into the area a "fact of life."
"These problems are not going to go away," he said. "You are part of a growing region and we need to build on that success, not be weary of it."
Following his address, LeClear circulated a number of worksheets designed to help individuals rank the area's strengths and weaknesses. That the information, he said, will serve as the beginning of a long process that, if carried out, will reshape the face of downtown.
"(Bellefonte) is one of the best examples of a traditional downtown I've ever been in," he said. "I'm jealous at what you've got here and I know we can make this an effort that will define your vision of its future."
The next workshop will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. March 8 in the auditorium of Bellefonte Area Elementary School, 100 W. Linn St. Additional sessions will be held April 12 and May 17.
BIVCC Director Jean Gerber said March meeting will focus more on group discussion and activity.
"I want this to go deeper than just talking about what events can we plan," she said. "We want people to feel like they're a part of this vision."
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