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Centre Daily Times April 13 2005
Bellefonte unveils vision of future
By Mason Neely; For the CDT
"After months of discussion, Bellefonte residents Tuesday took another step forward redefining the future of growth and economic development in the borough.
In a meeting at the Bellefonte Elementary School, the third in a series of community workshops sponsored by the Bellefonte Intervalley Area Chamber of Commerce, a group of 75 merchants, residents and planners adopted a formal plan to revitalize and market the area.
Called the "Downtown Bellefonte Vision Statement," the document was composed using data collected from the previous workshops in which residents voiced opinions on issues such as development of the borough's waterfront to concerns over parking and business strategies.
Bill Fontana, executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Association, the consulting firm hired to oversee the effort, presented the statement as a first draft to be revised, but maintained it was the first step toward consensus.
Though only a few paragraphs, it defines the borough as a "inviting, historic downtown" with a "vibrant, but leisurely setting," that "enhances the quality of life for the residents of the region."
Fontana said that many residents envision a future reflecting an equal reverence for the old and the new -- words like "exciting," "bustling," and "progressive" find common ground with "historic," "Victorian" and "quiet."
"We found that people here want to see a vibrant, exciting change, but they want that change to be family friendly and wholesome," he said. "There's an effort in the statement to maintain that level of quality."
Chamber Executive Director Jean Gerber praised those who participated in the discussion, saying they revealed a community that, despite any shortcomings, was both ready and willing to take responsibility for their home.
The next workshop will take place May 10 at the Bellefonte Elementary School and will be dedicated to finalizing and implementing the statement.
"I am so proud of the people who've put themselves into this," Gerber said. "They've made it possible to make so much progress so quickly.
"I want this to go keep going deeper than just talking about what events can we plan," she said. "We want people to feel like they're a part of this process."
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