Insights and observations on the redevelopment and revitalization of post-industrial towns on the Route 422 Corridor in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Interpretive: Shakeup in Government Funding

While administering programs in the City of Philadelphia, I had access to many potential funding sources and did my best to secure all available funds so we were not reliant on a single source, and program delivery could proceed without interruption. A few months ago, I wrote about cost allocation and its effect on staffing.

Relax, the Semiquincentennial is Here

Semiquincentennial: A combination of “semi” (half), “quin” (five), and “centennial” (hundred), meaning half of 500 years, or 250 years. This plateau reminds me that 50 years ago, I produced one of the largest Bicentennial celebrations on the East Coast — the “ill-fated” Baltimore County Fair.

In my early 20s, I continued to have my pick of good jobs and began my career as one of the first “Job Hoppers.” While others worked for the same company for 30 years, I was on my third job in less than five years.

Housing Affordability and Downtown Development

When developing downtown areas, the uses of the second floor vary from town to town. I remember when I arrived in DuBois, the second floors downtown were historically used as offices. In that case, minimal interior fit-out was replaced by a facilities strategy. Art studios and exercise spaces became popular and replaced the large offices that had previously occupied the space. Much of the space was left vacant if there were a series of rooms.

Not Every Town is Quaint

As an active participant in downtown revitalization, I often read downtown plans and sometimes wonder if they are just part of a mass-produced document where the town name is changed. The word “quaint” appears often in many of these plans.

Like many of you, I have used Artificial Intelligence and thought I would ask it what 'quaint' actually means, because I thought I might be missing something. It told me the following:

Death by Cost Allocation

Much of the federal tax revenue for services is managed by the mission-driven nonprofit sector. In Europe, they are called Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). In the United States, they are referred to as Nonprofits or Not-for-profit hospitals and colleges.

Typically, community-based organizations, often branches of larger groups, handle much of the work involved in supporting the less privileged. These organizations receive funding from foundations, but most of their income usually comes from government contracts targeted at completing specific projects.

Get Up, Stand Up

We are living through turbulent times. The past decade has brought a virus, widespread illegal immigration, and social issues in cities caused by these events. It has impacted both rural areas and downtowns across America.

As I have mentioned several times, the current period the US is experiencing closely resembles Mao’s Cultural Revolution years. This was a decade-long sociopolitical movement that began in 1966 to strengthen Mao's authority and support communism by removing traditional and capitalist influences from Chinese society.

Fourth and Elm in Cincinnati

I spent some time in Cincinnati as part of my economic development survey of 70 cities across the country. I was a little surprised by the recent fight at 4th and Elm, as I was at that location the week before, although not at 3 AM.

Life on the Road

I'm currently on a nationwide trip across the United States to explore vacancies and various types of businesses in American downtowns today. My 70-city journey has already taken me through Memphis, many cities in Texas, and up along the California coast.

Most signs of the 2021 lockdown protests have now disappeared, indicating a return to normal. Many cities have made significant progress in filling some of the vacancies. While some cities have filled vacancies, some previously occupied stores are now vacant. Overall, things have evened out a bit across these cities.

Riots in Los Angeles

Not many people deal with riot control on a civilian level. As I watch TV and observe the rioting, I think about the measures that I had to invoke after the Mardi Gras riots and the Greek Picnic sexual assaults on South Street.

Sitting down and reviewing everything with the city and state police was eye-opening. Much of it was about the preparation and the initial setup of barriers. For the most part, my role was the public information portion and the voice, eyes, and ears on the street to call in potential issues.

Alvin Lee’s Directive in Solving the Problem of No Train Service in Downingtown

I was stunned to hear that the Thorndale/Paoli Line may be terminated. I believe it is a bunch of hocus pocus, but you never know. After pondering it a little more, I wanted to share my two cents. If you recall, I initiated the proposal to extend the rail line from Philadelphia to Phoenixville.

What Kind of Place is Your Downtown?

Summer is a good season for getting outside and walking around. The warm summer nights could afford many an opportunity to walk around in the downtown. Many times people walk around and really do not pay much attention to anything but the path in front of them.

I would like to suggest the next time you take a walk, do it in your downtown. You will be surprised at what you see if you pay a little attention to detail. Towns change over time but some things just remain the same.

Pennsylvania Main Street Program is Imperiled

I am the co-founder of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and I attend their annual conference. I have not been a main street manager for a few years, so it is more a labor of love to attend than a necessity. The conference is always a good time, but this year I retired early because as I age, 10 PM has become the new 11 PM.

Elections and Downtown Management

I have been in the Main Street Management field for almost 30 years, and I have always found that public service people, like main street managers, come under greater scrutiny during an election year. Many times, it is derived by inference. Some person running for office or supporting someone running for office normally has an agenda or platform, and if something relating to your program somehow… someway… bears any resemblance to the platform or agenda, you end up in the cross hairs.

Brownfields and Community Development

In many of the communities that I visit, there is a common problem of a contaminated property. It is considered blight, and in most cases, there is a consensus that the blight should be remedied. Sometimes it is a downtown property, as it was in Downingtown, with the O’Brien Machinery property, and other times it is in a residential area like in Forest Hills.

Why Have a Downtown Keystone Communities Plan?

The Commonwealth has created the designation of Keystone Communities. To be eligible for grants, it is a good idea to have the plan and the designation. The designation gets you preferred status for grants. However, to have this status you need to hire someone to be your revitalization coordinator.

Saying YES as Part of Downtown Revitalization

It is a three-letter word but it can mean the difference between success and failure. Yes, YES is a powerful word. I used the word yes quite a bit when I got to Phoenixville. Using yes and no at the right times is a crapshoot at best, but one must use one’s best judgment.

Why a Main Street Manager is Necessary

The main street process is a known method for revitalization using promotion, organization, economic restructuring and promotion. The four points, when implemented correctly, provide a powerful revitalization process that has provided results in small communities all across the country.

Oligarchic Influences as Limits of Behavior in a Downtown

I have been on the road a lot for the last couple of months trying to put together financing for projects. I like the opportunity to visualize a project, and then accomplish making the vision a reality. A good visualization for me is having myself in the visualization, looking at the completed project. I find that kind of process is the most effective for me. Then I figure how to fund it, and what constraints I will encounter.

Gaining Momentum for Revitalization

It happens all the time. People get together to revitalize a town, raise some money and hire a revitalization coordinator. Hopes are high that the effort will lead to revitalization of the downtown. It is hard sometimes for the group when nothing happens immediately and people get frustrated. People threaten to drop off the board and tempers flare in the meetings.

Politics and Development

The more I am out on my own working, the more I realize that politics is the essence of doing downtown development deals. Since I have worked in so many places, I have a fairly good idea of what it takes to get a project done. Elected officials, commission members and citizens all have a say in development. When a developer attempts to work in a town, there is always a need to work with the locals.