The Greensburg Community Development Corporation (GCDC) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant from The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County’s Revitalizing Westmoreland grant program. This grant was funded thanks to the Westmoreland County Comprehensive Community Investment Fund of The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County. GCDC will use the $23,394.00 grant award to spearhead a beautification project along S. Pennsylvania Avenue, located in the heart of the City’s shopping district.
Streetscape beautification and enhancement will complement the exciting development happening along S. Pennsylvania Avenue. To carry out this project, the Greensburg Community Development Corporation has partnered with two local organizations; Shop Greensburg (Greensburg Business & Professional Association/GBPA) and the Downtown Greensburg Project (DGP). There are several elements to the project that each partner will organize.
GCDC’s portion of the project includes camouflaging several old and worn utility boxes located along S. Pennsylvania Avenue with artistic vinyl wrapping. The GCDC will work with local vendors to install the artwork to cover all sides of each electrical box. Several outdoor trash receptacles will be added along S. Pennsylvania Avenue that will also feature unique artwork, complementing the art on the electrical boxes. Finally, the GCDC plans to install string lights across the 100 block of S. Pennsylvania Avenue, providing a warm and welcoming ambience.
“We are grateful to The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County for this generous grant award that will allow us to spearhead a beautification project in the heart of downtown Greensburg, serving as a catalyst for future beautification and revitalization initiatives throughout the City,” said Ashley Kertes, Executive Director of the Greensburg Community Development Corporation. “By partnering with Shop Greensburg and the Downtown Greensburg Project, we will be able to make an even larger impact than we would alone.”
Shop Greensburg’s portion of the beautification plan includes the installation of hanging baskets on the street’s lampposts as well as the replacement and maintenance of several trees along the street. The replacement trees will be those that are known to adapt well in an urban environment. An “Adopt a Planter” Program will be organized to ensure the hanging baskets are watered and cared for regularly.
“Many of the aspects of our grant proposal originated in GBPA forums with our business owners/operators expressing their visions for a shopping district that appeals to the “Love Local” mindset that is encouraging the redevelopment and revitalization of our nation’s downtown areas,” said Shop Greensburg President, Amy Beeghly. “We are thrilled to have been awarded the funds to help create a more inviting atmosphere to enhance supporting our local merchants.”
The Downtown Greensburg Project is coordinating the installation of public art in the form of a mural on S. Pennsylvania Avenue. The mural will be designed and installed by a local Greensburg artist and be located at approximately 106 South Pennsylvania Avenue in the Public Parking Lot.
“We are huge advocates for public art and have wanted to install a mural in downtown Greensburg for some time,” said Jessica Hickey, Director of DGP. “We’re excited to bring a unique piece of art that will brighten up and encourage the community to explore the downtown area.”
Community input was an important factor in deciding what areas should be the focus of the project. The GCDC recently conducted a survey to find out what a beautiful streetscape means to the community. Respondents were asked what they believe helps to make a more attractive streetscape. The top priorities for the community included plants, flowers, and trees, public art, trash cans, and benches.
The South Pennsylvania Avenue Beautification Project will kick-off Sunday, June 13th with a Community Cleanup Day. Each year, the Downtown Greensburg Project hosts this volunteer driven event that cleans up the street and sidewalks along S. Pennsylvania Avenue. The cleanup will also include sprucing up the S. Pennsylvania Avenue parklet by tearing out weeds, clearing debris, planting new perennial plants, mulching, and giving the park benches a shine. This year, the Greensburg Community Development Corporation and Shop Greensburg have partnered with the Downtown Greensburg Project for the cleanup that will also include planting flowers in the hanging baskets and installing them on the City’s lampposts.
Those interested in volunteering for the Community Cleanup Day can sign up at: https://www.downtowngreensburgpa.us/community-clean-up-day/
How about considering repair of the existing failed brick sidewalk edging.
This represents a real safety hazard and has been needing Repairs for several years.
Perhaps the council would walk the area and see for themselves.