Locals planning 'greater' Johnstown
By Frank Sojak
Tribune-Democrat
The Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership on Monday evening moved from gauging public interest in a revitalized downtown to coming up with a blueprint to do just that.
Monday night, business people and residents from Johnstown and surrounding municipalities started melding ideas with those of others with the goal of making downtown Johnstown come alive again.
"I think everything went well," said Jeff Philibin, Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership president.
More than 125 people met to discuss the plans at the Pasquerilla Conference Center, 301 Napoleon St., Johnstown.
The partnership is working to launch a Main Street program to boost business activity downtown for young and old alike and for residents from Johnstown and surrounding towns.
"We want it to be a community effort," Philibin said. He aims to bring people from Johnstown and the suburbs together to create a viable downtown Johnstown.
Philibin said the partnership and its network of volunteers from businesses, organizations and the community are preparing a plan so that it can submit a Main Street application to the state.
If the application is approved, the state would provide money to help the city with its dream.
In the meantime, Philibin said, the partnership isn't waiting.
He said members will work on projects that don't cost money, such as cleanup projects and sprucing up empty storefronts.
Diane Wilson, manager of the Northwest Savings Bank in downtown Johnstown, said at the meeting that residents are determined.
"It's exciting," she said as she manned her bank's booth at the session, the fourth so far. "I think we are headed in the right direction."
Michele DiGuardi, executive director of Beginnings Inc., an early intervention program for children in downtown Johnstown, said the organization is excited about the future for the downtown and wants to be a part of it.
Pat Rok, manager of the two downtown branches of First National Bank, said her bank sponsored a booth to inform people about what they have to offer.
She said the plans to revitalize Johnstown would be great.
Johnstown Mayor Thomas Trigona said at the meeting that the partnership's goal to revitalize the downtown is wonderful.
"The talking is over," he said. "Let's do what it takes to revitalize the downtown."
Councilman Frank Jana-kovic said he would like to see more recreation areas in the downtown for youngsters.
Councilman Bill Neatrour said he wants more housing downtown, saying it will lead to more businesses opening to serve residents.
That's what Alonzo Vance of Johnstown and his partner, Kevin Bush of Washington, D.C., have in mind.
Vance said they are planning to turn the former Dempsey's tavern on the lower end of Main Street into a restaurant, pub, office and residential complex.
He said the downtown needs more restaurants to complement those already in business.
Larry Blalock, who with his wife, Chris, owns Blalock Electric Services in Woodvale and is a partner in the Park Building in downtown Johnstown, said downtowns have an exciting community atmosphere and Johnstown is no different.
The couple said they attended the "visioning" meetings because they want to see the "city come alive."