West End Event | September 2011 Meeting Recap

There’s a project underway in the Allentown’s West End that’s so worthwhile, even Mayor Ed Pawlowski stopped by The West End Alliance meeting last night to lend his encouragement.

“Great things are happening. This plan will help create a destination location in the 19th Street corridor. A lot of things you’ve been talking about for a while are really happening. This is just not conceptual anymore,” Pawlowski said, speaking to a group of about 40 local property owners, realtors, and citizens in Civic’s Theatre 514.

The plan he referenced is the 3-million streetscaping project designed to visually revitalize the neighborhood, beginning with 19th Street between Liberty Street and Allen Street and eventually extending northwards and in other directions should funds provide. Improvements are planned to include the following:

• Adding new crosswalks
• Planting new and replacing existing trees
• Installing potted planters
• Acquiring bike racks
• Enhancing and adding pedestrian lighting
• Upgrading the entrance to the Civic Theatre
• Laying brick accents into sidewalks
• Encouraging sidewalk seating for local businesses
• Installing benches
• Adding a kiosk with information about the West End

The overall concept is designed to give the area a cohesive visual appeal, increase foot traffic, and draw more businesses with improved curb appeal. The designers project that phase 1 construction will begin some time before the end of the year.

Additionally, the Allentown Fairgrounds plans to replace the existing fence around the perimeter of their property with new, more modern fencing. So a big thanks to the fairgrounds too, huh?

There’s still time to voice your comments, suggestions, concerns, or high praise. Feel free to add your thoughts to the comments section and we’ll make sure they’re heard.