TodayElm Street program still a work in progress for Carlisle
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Article RatingIt could be months before Carlisle has a state-funded program in place to revitalize residential neighborhoods around its downtown commercial core.
The borough has yet to advertise the position of Elm Street manager, which would fall under the auspices of the Downtown Carlisle Association.
The new hire can take place only after details are worked out on how to transition DCA into an agency under borough government, explained Judy Shunk, outgoing president of the Downtown Neighborhood Connection.
DNC is a board of local residents, business owners and property owners organized to run an Elm Street program for the borough.
Elm Street is a state program administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development to provide assistance and resources to communities working to improve the vitality of older neighborhoods.
Through Elm Street, money has been used to address the safety and appearance of neighborhoods, facilitate the design of building improvements, promote a positive image of a neighborhood and address long-term economic growth and job creation.
DNC members plan to meet Thursday to prioritize program goals outlined in the borough’s Elm Street plan, Shunk said. The board needs to identify what projects are high on the list before it can submit a contract to DCED to receive a $235,000 state grant.
Before DNC can submit a contract for review, it also needs to include details on what the structure of DCA will be under borough government, Shunk said. Currently, DCA operates as a non-profit agency supported by membership dues and revenue from donations, special events and grants.
Change of plans
That changed in early October, when borough council voiced support for a strategy shift away from a proposed Downtown Improvement District to including downtown revitalization programs in the borough’s general fund.
Last month, council agreed to advertise a preliminary budget for 2009 that includes an allocation of $50,000 from the parking fund to support DCA. A final version of the borough budget is expected to be on the agenda when council meets next Dec. 11.
The borough learned in October it is eligible for $235,000 over the next three years to implement an Elm Street program for an area from High Street north to Penn Street and from East Street west to College Street.
About $150,000 will be used through fiscal year 2011 to pay the salary, benefits and work expenses for an Elm Street manager to implement program goals and seek future program grants. The remaining $85,000 will support the residential facade improvement program over the same period.
“It’s a matter of seeing how the organizational structure of DCA ultimately turns out,” Shunk said. “In the end, we need a strong DCA. It is important they are established within the borough.”
She added that, meanwhile, DNC members are preparing a job description for an Elm Street manager using ideas borrowing from existing Elm Street programs.
“Why reinvent the wheel when we can use theirs as a template?” Shunk said.
Karen Barone, Main Street manager for the DCA, said DCA leaders plan to meet within the first half of 2009 to continue working out the details of the transition with representatives from DNC, borough government and the Pennsylvania Downtown Center. The PDC is the only statewide, nonprofit organization dedicated solely to the revitalization of downtowns and provides technical assistance and other tools.
“The consensus is to make no major shift for the next six months,” Barone said. “Everything is in flux and open to discussion. We want to do a partnership with the borough right. I don’t have an answer yet on what form or shape it would take.”
If approved, the Elm Street contract with DCED would be good for five years, yet there is only three years of funding. Shunk explained. If deemed necessary, the borough can apply for state funding for the two years beyond 2011.
Barone noted the borough has to provide a progress report to the state every year.
