MESSAGE FROM ELM STREET MANAGER
West Reading
Elm Street is busiest during the summer months when our
activities are most visible. But that doesn’t mean we are
hibernating during the colder months. Winter is when we do
our planning, determine our priorities, reexamine our
programs, and write grants to fund future programs and
projects.
In 2011 we
had a good year. Our first ever “Let’s Paint the Town” event
in the first block of South 6th
Avenue where seventy volunteers helped to paint the facades
of eleven homes in one day. In 2012, we will come out with
two new programs aimed at rehabilitating and modernizing the
older housing stock in both our target neighborhoods.
The new
H.E.L.P. program is for homeowners and homebuyers with
moderate incomes. It is a combination of grants and deferred
payment loans with no monthly payments to modernize your
home (like a central heating system); address safety issues
(like sidewalk replacement); cover deferred maintenance
problems (like a new roof); and address code violations
(like plumbing and electrical.) Our new P.A.R.R. program
will help improve the housing stock and increase
homeownership. With P.A.R.R. Elm Street will buy homes, fix
them up, and resell them at affordable prices.
Thanks, in
part, to a grant from the PA Department of Community &
Economic Development the streetscape improvements in the 200
block of South 3rd
Avenue and
southeast corner of Franklin Street and Fourth Avenue were
made possible and should be completed before year end. We
are already thinking about where we want to target
streetscape improvements in 2012.
Finally,
just a reminder, Elm Street has only one staff member. How
much we are able to accomplish is directly related to the
time and commitment of our volunteers. I want to personally
thank every one who has worked to make West Reading Elm
Street among the most productive community development
organizations in the state. If you aren’t among those
currently active, I hope you’ll consider getting involved in
the New Year.
MURALS & MOSAICS
West Reading
Elm Street thinks public art is important to a community.
Beauty and design are among the ways we make our
neighborhood distinct. At the November NAC meeting, students
from Wyomissing High School’s Public Art Workshop presented
the mosaic they will be installing at the new parking lot
retaining wall in the 300 block of Chestnut. Mosaics are
very labor intensive because they are made from cut pieces
of glass, tile, and mirrors. The theme for the five panels
is “You are here.” The panels begin with a scene on
Chestnut Street and progress to a view of the whole planet.
CODES TO TARGET CURBS & SIDEWALKS
Over ten
years ago West Reading Borough Council put a moratorium on
having the Code Enforcement Department cite property owners
for curb and sidewalk violations. Last month Borough Council
decided to give property owners two years to take care of
their curbs and sidewalks before totally rescinding the
moratorium in 2013. There are county programs being planned
to assist lower-income property owners but ultimately, curbs
and sidewalks are the responsibility of the property owner
and not the borough.
LIVE NATIVITY & CHRISTMAS PARTY
Everyone is
welcome to attend an evening full of FREE Christmas fun!
Bethany Lutheran Church (336 Franklin Street) brings the
Christmas story to life featuring "A Night in Bethlehem"
from 4PM to 6PM. Experience a nativity with live animals,
explore Bethlehem's village marketplace and follow the
shepherds to the manger for a chance to speak with Mary and
Joseph! Then, West Reading Elm Street will host its 5th
Annual Christmas party from 6PM to 8PM featuring FREE magic
show, puppet show, food, games, prizes and Santa too!
PEOPLE POWER
Diane Sawyer
has reported if every American spent just $64 more than
normal on USA made items this year, it would create almost
200,000 new jobs so look on the bottom of every product and
buy American. Better yet give gift certificates this Holiday
Season to local hair salons and restaurants and you’ll help
stimulate our regional economy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING
MEETINGS
DECEMBER
|
|
5th |
West Reading Elm Street
Application for state funds public meeting
(6PM - Borough Hall) |
|
5th |
Joint West Reading Main Street
Authority and Foundation Board of Directors Meeting (7PM - Borough
Hall) |
|
15th |
Neighborhood Advisory
Committee - CANCELED |
|
20th |
West Reading Borough
Council Meeting (7PM - Borough Hall) |
JANUARY
|
|
9th |
West Reading Main Street
Authority Board of Directors Meeting (7PM - Borough
Hall) |
|
17th |
West Reading Borough
Council Meeting (7PM - Borough Hall) |
|
19th |
Neighborhood Advisory
Committee (7PM- Borough Hall) |
-END-
ELM STREET HAPPENINGS ARCHIVE
If you would
like to receive West Reading Elm Street's monthly newsletter by
email please send an email to
elmstreet@westreadingmainstreet.org or call
610.685.8854. For more information about the West Reading
Elm Street program click here.
November/December 2011