Main Street Makeover
Published: June 29, 2009
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From left, front row: Mayor Ed Fairbrother, Councilwoman Shirley Barrett, Austin Burke, Michael Lombardo, representing Gov. Ed Rendell and councilman Randy Grandinetti. Back row: Andy Skrip of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, state Rep. Ed Staback, Dennis Kutch of KBA Engineers, John Blake, Tony Grizzanti of KBA Engineers, Altier, Karl Pfieffenberger of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Bill Leonard of the DCED.
Archbald officials were all smiles this week, as the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development came to town to announce two grants that will be used to improve the borough.
DCED executive deputy secretary John Blake announced a $500,000 grant for “streetscape” improvements in Archbald’s central business district and another $50,000 that will permit the borough to move forward with its long-discussed “pocket park” on an abandoned lot where Archbald High School once stood.
“This investment is a testament to Archbald Borough officials, as well as federal, state and local partners who came together to support this project, which has a total cost of $1.8 million,” Blake said. “Seemingly small changes like a new park or a new sidewalk and streetlights can have a significant effect on communities, An increase in community pride and the perception that ‘good things are happening here’ is essential for community revitalization and for the renaissance of core business districts in our small communities and neighborhoods throughout the state.”
Among those who worked to bring the funds to Archbald were state Sen. Robert Mellow and state Rep. Ed Staback and Austin Burke, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Comerce.
“I would like to thank Sen. Mellow, Rep. Staback, Austin Burke and John Blake for their help with this project,” said borough council president Jack Altier. “Governor Ed Rendell deserves credit for believing in small town Pennsylvania. As a lifelong resident of this great borough, I can say without a doubt this is one of the best days in our history.”
Altier acknowledged that “Our Main Street is in dire need of rehabilitation. The announcement John Blake made today is a long time coming. This project will officially kick off Archbald’s rebirth. Words will now turn into action as shovels and equipment will transform our Main Street and give our borough a new image. This new image will be a welcome sight to our residents and visitors. The new sidewalks, curbs, streetlights, trees and sewers will enhance our community and greatly improve our resident’s quality of life.”
Altier expressed satisfaction that “after two years of intensive work on putting together a plan, working with the residents of Main Street and submitting the grant that we are finally crossing the finish line. This project also could not have been accomplished without the help of our Main Street Committee, led by councilwoman Shirley Barrett. I ask everyone to continue working together with that same pride and dedication to accomplish even greater things in our future. Make no mistake from this day forward, Archbald is on its way to bigger and better things.”
