For the City of Pottsville, once crown jewel of the Southern Anthracite region, the road to recovery has been long and arduous.
However, the progress made in rejuvenating and revitalizing neighborhoods in the last several years has been nothing short of astounding.
Through the concerted efforts of community members and volunteer groups, neighborhoods blighted by abandoned buildings and crumbling facades are gaining a new and vibrant identity.
The dynamic behind this transformation is a cooperative spirit among residents, merchants, and volunteer groups.
This united effort has created a synergy, and is the driving force behind neighborhood revitalization.
One of the greatest assets to our revitalization effort is a group of teen volunteers known as the J.U.N.E. Project (Jesus Uniting Neighborhoods Everywhere) and also known as Darryl's Army.
These kids, who travel a great distance at their own expense, will be coming to our community again this summer.
From August 3rd through August 7th, this New Jersey-based group of about 100 teens will be lending their labor and enthusiasm to community projects in the 'Elm Street' district in the City of Pottsville, as well as other areas of Schuylkill County.
During the summer of 2008 the "J.U.N.E. Project" made a positive impact everywhere they focused their efforts.
A few of their many accomplishments from last summer included:
- Clearing of debris and initial planting of greenery in the pocket park located in the 500 block of North Centre Street
- Stream clean-up and beautification along the creek walk at the Barefield Recreation Complex
- Scraping and painting of windows and landscape work at the Y.M.C.A.
- Interior demolition and clean-up of a blighted property in Mahanoy City
The "J.U.N.E. Project" brings fervor to the neighborhoods they work in, which acts as a catalyst.
Merchants and residents unite for the common goal of moving our City and County closer to the thriving center of commerce and culture that the City of Pottsville and County of Schuylkill once were.
As Elm Street Manager, I'm asking for your assistance to help feed this army of volunteers.
These teens travel a long distance, at their own expense, to pitch in and support our revitalization efforts throughout the City and County.
To help support the "J.U.N.E Project" effort we would like to provide lunches and dinners for our volunteers, as well as provide them with water, soft drinks, and ice (we are planning cook-outs for dinner).
Additionally, we would like to provide transportation within the County for this large group of volunteers.
Monetary contributions or donations of food or refreshments are greatly appreciated.
I would like to thank you in advance for any consideration and support of this effort.
Please contact me if you can help at 570/ 622-1995 or e-mail me at mgabardi@schuylkillcommunityaction.com.
Click here for the J.U.N.E. Project Contribution Form
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The City of Pottsville Elm Street Program has been designed to spearhead a neighborhood revitalization effort in a designated older historic district in the City of Pottsville.
The City's Elm Street Program is a comprehensive community revitalization program targeted at improving the housing stock, providing economic opportunity, improving the neighborhood infrastructure, developing "green" space, and providing lighting and signage.
Housing assistance to neighborhood residents will be provided in the form of home renovation/repair grants and closing cost or down payment assistance grants.
The Program offers eligible homeowners in the Elm Street area an opportunity to make renovations or repairs to their home or provides assistance to first-time homebuyers to purchase a home.
The current Elm Street neighborhood consists of North Centre Street from Harrison Street to Peacock Street and then returns to Laurel Boulevard through Terry Reiley Way (formerly Coal Street).
Efforts are currently underway seeking approval to extend the Elm Street neighborhood to encompass Nichols Street in its entirety.
Schuylkill Community Action is the implementing agency for the City of Pottsville Elm Street Program offered by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC).
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Goal
The goal of the Elm Street Home Renovation Assistance Program
is to help stabilize and enhance
the Elm Street neighborhood
by improving the current housing
stock through housing renovation activities. Home renovation and
repairs may include such activities
as "accessibility" modifications; roof, window or door replacement;
electrical upgrade; plumbing
repairs; heating or hot water system replacement; kitchen or bathroom
upgrades; insulation or other energy
efficiency/conservation improvements;
or other contracting activities to correct code deficiencies. Contracting
activities will be considerate
of historic preservation and
promote the utilization of "green" technologies.
Program Benefits
The Elm Street Housing Renovation Assistance Program will:
- Provide up to $15,000 in the form of an interest-free, convertible (forgivable) loan for housing renovations and repairs
- Provide 100% of the costs related to Uniform Construction Code deficiencies and 50% of the costs for non-code related renovations
- Provide 100% of the cost of energy conservation improvements
- Provide 100% of the cost for "accessibility" modifications
- Remain interest free and payment free for ten (10) years at which time the loan converts to a grant and is forgiven providing the borrower remains in good standing for the entirety of the loan
Eligibility
In order to be eligible:
- The property must be a residential property located within the City of Pottsville's Elm Street district
- The property must consist of no more than four individual units
- The property must be the borrower's primary residence (in the case of multi-unit buildings up to 4 units, the borrower must reside in one of the units)
- The property owner must have all property taxes paid to date and must maintain current status
- The property must be insured with a home owners policy at all times
- Total household income cannot exceed 115% of the County Median Income at time of application as published by U.S. HUD
Project Requirements
- Construction must abide by the Uniform Construction Code as well as any applicable local building codes and regulations
- Participant must reside in the property through the duration of the recapture period (10 years) or face repayment as defined below
- The loan is one hundred percent (100%) repayable if the property is sold, or its use changes, within the first five years
- Funding is provided in the form of a conditional loan and will be forgiven starting in the sixth year at a rate of twenty percent (20%) per year for the remaining five years (years 6 through 10)
- The loan will automatically convert to a grant which is forgiven after ten years providing the borrower remains in good standing for the entirety of the loan
- All appliances purchased must be "Energy Star" rated
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Another facet of the City of Pottsville's Elm Street Program is the Down Payment Assistance Program which provides "down payment" assistance to first-time homebuyers who are desirous of purchasing a home in the Elm Street neighborhood.
Goal
The goal of the Elm Street Down Payment Assistance Program is to encourage individuals or families to purchase a home in Pottsville's Elm Street neighborhood.
Program Benefits
The Elm Street Down Payment Assistance Program will:
- Provide 20% of the purchase price (up to a maximum of $10,000) in the form of a "down payment" assistance grant
- Provide an interest-free and payment-free period of ownership
- Require repayment upon the transfer of ownership or a change in use
Eligibility
In order to be eligible:
- The property must be a residential property located within the City of Pottsville's Elm Street district
- The property must be utilized as the purchaser's primary residence (multi-unit building may have up to four residential units as long as one of the units is the purchaser's primary residence)
- The applicant must successfully complete the Homebuyer Education course as instructed by Schuylkill Community Action
- The total household income cannot exceed 115% of the County Median Income as published by U.S. HUD
Project Requirements
- A "soft" second mortgage to be executed at time settlement and recorded with the Schuylkill County Recorder of Deeds Office
- 100% of the loan is due in full upon transfer of ownership or change in use of the property receiving assistance (i.e. the property is no longer the purchaser's primary residence)
Participation in the Down Payment Assistance Program does not preclude the homebuyer from participating in the Home Renovation Program.
No one person, household, or property can receive more than $20,000 of combined assistance under the Elm Street Programs
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Another facet of the Elm Street initiative is tackling neighborhood blight. The walls at the corner of North Centre and Nichols Streets have undergone extensive repairs over the past three months. The work was completed by Pottsville-based contractor Norm Felker of Felker Masonry. The project also included the demolition of a derelict gas station on the property. Currently, Pottsville artist Martin Braukus is painting a "Welcome to Pottsville" mural on the finished walls that will give the illusion of a Romanesque façade and portals incorporating familiar icons of the city. The work is expected to be completed by early 2008.
Funding for the project was provided by a grant from the PA Downtown Center's "Gateway Signage" Program. The elimination of neighborhood blight is a contributing factor in increasing property values in a neighborhood and also gives residents a better sense of safety, according to studies by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development and the PA Downtown Center. The City of Pottsville and SCA are taking further steps to eliminate blight in the Elm Street Neighborhood. Meanwhile, a tree planting project was recently undertaken in the Elm Street Neighborhood.
Pictured here are various of stages of Pottsville's Northern Gateway Project.
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