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| BDAC's MISSION |
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To serve as a an action-oriented community -based group, committed to advising and supporting the Borough through a comprehensive initiative to revitalize Elizabeth's central business district.
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| ALLEGHENY TOGETHER |
Allegheny Together endeavors to encourage well-planned, well-designed and geographically-focused investment in the established, urban commercial districts of Allegheny County while respecting the unique history, character, and built environment of each. The program aims to help organize and empower each community to fulfill its collective vision. |
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A PROGRAM OF
Alleghenty County Economic Development |
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Downtown Recognition Award
Grand Theatre has been chosen as the fourth quarter 2009 Recognition recipient by the Elizabeth Business District Advisory Committee. Located at 207 Second Street, the theatre has been an integral part of the downtown landscape since 1902. Ken and Lori Kolodziej purchased the building in 1997 and spent 3 years working tirelessly to bring it back to life after it was vacant for more than 20 years.
The theatre currently produces five stage shows per year, holds classes in theatre and voice, hosts school and community events, shows movies and is available for fundraisers and birthday parties. The junior drama troupe, The Petite Players, attracts children from all over the Pittsburgh area, and currently has over 50 members representing 13 different schools. One of the most anticipated events is the Stoogefest, an annual film festival of stooge shorts coming up November 13-14.
Theatre owner Lori Kolodziej is a downtown business owner who is truly committed to the community, having served as Vice President of the Elizabeth Community Alliance, and as a member of the Riverfest Committee, the Lewis and Clark festival committee, Light Up Night, Community Clean-Up, and the EACDC. The Committee thanks the Grand Theatre and owners, Lori and Ken Kolodziej, for their commitment and generosity to Elizabeth and extends congratulations on this well-deserved honor.
For more information on upcoming events at the theatre log on to: www.elizabethgrand.com or call 412-384-0504.
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Upcoming Events in Downtown Elizabeth
Elizabeth Borough Senior Center in the
Elizabeth Borough Building
Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM
Saturdays at 6 PM
Light Up Night 
December 4 at 7 PM
2nd Ave. & Plum (next to M & M uniform)
Hot chocolate and cookies, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, Wagon rides and the lighting of the town Christmas tree! |
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Plum Street Project
The Elizabeth Business District Advisory Board is investigating the possibility of having more community events in our downtown next year. One concept we are exploring is the Plum Street Project in which Plum Street, between Second Street and Third Street, could be used as a "town center," and be temporarily closed for weekly community events. The community could use this space to gather on a regular basis and to enjoy food and/or refreshments, listen to music, and socialize. A subcommittee was formed to focus exclusively on this concept and to investigate all of the issues involved to make this a reality. The overall purpose of the Plum Street Project is to draw residents back to the business district, thus generating a more vibrant business core.
The first Plum Street Project meeting was held in October at Rockwell's Red Lion. Town Center Associates, through the Allegheny Together Program, will work with the subcommittee to discuss the pros, cons, hurdles, expenses, and logistics of this idea. Hopefully this project is the beginning of something that the whole community can rally around and that it can become a central part of our community life. Watch for more information as the project continues to develop!
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DowntownProperties.Net
Introducing TCA's New Business Recruitment Tool
Are you looking for a storefront to buy or lease for your business location? Do you own a downtown property that is for sale or for lease?
Be sure to check out www.downtownProperties.net. Town Center Associate's innovative new business recruitment program includes this website, which is one hundred percent devoted to properties for sale or lease in your downtown's central business district, as well as other local business districts.
DowntownProperties.net features the vacant/available downtown properties in your business district complete with:
- Property Photos
- Property Owner Contact Information
- Address Information
- The ability to add additional information to each listing, such as realtor contact information or details about the property
- Features that enable you to email listings to interested parties, map listings, as well as print listings
More than just a website, the DowntownProperties.net program offers key benefits to the municipality. Benefits include having a central source of property contact information, and a readily available resource to attract new businesses--by marketing vacancies and available properties.
Additionally, TCA will provide property owners with a free, colorful DowntownProperties.net poster to put in their vacant or available storefront window to demonstrate that the building is available.
If you have a vacant or available downtown property that is not currently listed on the site, let us know. Just send an email to tca@towncenter.info, or call us at 412-577-7447 or 724-728-0500.
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| PHLF Update
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) is involved in main street revitalizations across Southwestern Pennsylvania. As we come across model examples in this work, we will make an effort to share them with our Allegheny Together partners. It may be that you will see an opportunity to take one of these ideas and tailor it to the circumstances that exist in your community. In this issue, we want to highlight an investment trust that nine local women have set up in Leechburg, which is part of a State adopted regional main street program. The trust, known as Leechburg Investment Projects (LIPS), is a consortium set up by the women to develop viable businesses in downtown Leechburg, get them up and running on solid footing and then sell them. Sales proceeds will go back into the fund enabling them to focus on another business. LIPS intends to repeat this process until all of Leechburg's store fronts are filled. The nine investors each put in $2,000, which has enabled the fund to launch its first business: Books and Beans, a used bookstore and coffee shop. The investor group includes a wealth of experience in setting up and operating successful small-scale retail. They are drawing on this experience, and putting in a lot of sweat equity, as they work toward a mid-October grand opening. Books and Beans will offer Presto George coffee & teas, gourmet breakfast and lunch items, free WIFI, a strong selection of used books, and audio book rentals. LIPs is a great example of just how much a small group of committed volunteers can accomplish with limited funds. This includes: - Creating new jobs.
- Rehabilitating old, empty storefronts in historic buildings.
- Diversifying the business mix in town.
- Involving experienced business-people to act as mentors for new owners.
- Building stronger relationships as a part of the project work.
If you are interested in learning more about LIPs to see if this model might work for your downtown, please call Ethan Raup at PHLF at 412 471 5808. | |
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| This e-newsletter was created by Town Center Asociates for the Allegheny Together Program of Allegheny County Economic Development. For more information about the Allegheny Together program, please visit www.alleghenytogether.com. |
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