04/15/24 - 66 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA: http://tinyurl.com/msuwtctm
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Elm Street Program Recognized By Harvard University
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The Pennsylvania Elm Street program was selected as one of 173 government programs across the country for Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government new Bright Ideas program.
The Bright Ideas program recognizes and shares information about government initiatives with interested public sector, nonprofit and academic communities around the country.
Elm Street is an urban residential enhancement initiative that targets older established neighborhoods for revitalization. Freeman authored the original legislation creating the Elm Street Program, which was signed into law by the governor at a ceremony in Easton in 2004. The measure had passed the House and Senate unanimously.
Rep. Bob Freeman (D-Lehigh) said since original enactment of the program more than two dozen neighborhoods, including Easton's West Ward, have been designated as Elm Street communities, and more than 100 municipalities have been eligible for similar improvements in their neighborhoods through Elm Street residential reinvestment grants.
“I’m very pleased that Elm Street will now be discussed on a national level so that communities across the country could potentially benefit from the many facets of the program if enacted in their own state," Rep. Freeman said.
Grants are used for administrative costs, and infrastructure and structural improvements such as sidewalk repairs, tree plantings and building facade work. An Elm Street manager focuses on marketing plans; promoting home ownership and other housing options; addressing social and economic concerns in the targeted neighborhoods; and assessing current zoning codes and comprehensive plans to ensure their compatibility with revitalization efforts.
The Elm Street Program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development, and is similar to the existing Main Street Program. Main Street focuses on revitalizing downtown commercial districts while Elm Street targets residential districts close to those commercial districts.
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11/8/2010 |
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