DOWNTOWN BELLEVUE KEY ISSUE WORKSHOPS

Over the past three months, Bellevue has held three community Key Issue Workshops. These workshops are a component of the Allegheny Together Program, a program offered through Allegheny County's Department of Economic Development to support and assist in the revitalization of traditional downtown-based business districts throughout the county. 

Bellevue is one of the 43 business districts located within Allegheny County that are eligible for the Allegheny Together Program. In 2009, Bellevue and Coraopolis were the two new community applicants selected by the county to be added to the program-- bringing the current number of participating towns to eight. All of the participating communities are being provided a host of planning and management services through Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) and Town Center Associates (TCA) via the Allegheny Together Program.

The Key Issue Workshops were held as a component of kicking-off the program in Bellevue. The workshops help to identify important issues facing downtown Bellevue in three downtown revitalization focus areas, including: architecture and design; business development; and community life. TCA gave a presentation on each focus area, which was then followed by a lively discussion with the audience. The workshops provided a backdrop of the Allegheny Together Program as it relates to these critical areas of revitalization, while also providing the opportunity for the public to express their ideas, concerns and recommendations regarding specific related issues. 

Members of Council, property owners, business owners, and other community members were present to identify and discuss ideas, concerns and opportunities. Each workshop was very well attended and demonstrated the community's sincere interest in the revitalization of downtown Bellevue, and their recognition of the significance of the business district to the entire community.
 
TCA incorporates the input from these workshops into the creation of a Long-Range Plan. Then, the Long-Range Plan will be broken down into annual Strategic Action Plans based on the issues raised in all three workshops, as well as on information learned through the planning and analysis programs. TCA looks forward to supporting the community in the effective implementation of the Strategic Action Plans.

YOUR CENSUS FORM IS GOOD FOR YOUR COMMUNITY!

Simply filling out your census form can benefit our downtown and our entire community by making it known what resources are needed for our community.

Accurate data reflecting changes in the community are critical in apportioning seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and deciding how more than $400 billion per year is allocated for infrastructure projects.

That's more than $4 trillion over a 10-year period for things like public works projects and services like job training centers.

Additionally, residents themselves have used census data to support community initiatives involving environmental legislation, quality-of-life issues and consumer advocacy.

Do your part for your downtown efforts and your community as a whole by filling out and sending in your 2010 Census Form.

Information garnered from the US Census website at www.2010.census.gov.