Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
BID official: ‘We’re a team that makes West Chester great’
WEST CHESTER >> There was much to celebrate at the Business Improvement District’s annual meeting.
BID Executive Director Malcolm Johnstone led off the event, held at the Historical Society, Thursday night, by thanking dozens of volunteers, merchants, residents and public officials.
“We’re a team that makes West Chester great,” Johnstone said.
The BID was recently awarded
the 2017 Great American Main Street Award from the National Main Street Center, Inc. This was the first time Great American Main Street Award was given to a Pennsylvania community in 20 years.
Johnstone and the BID were lauded nationally for revitalization of the downtown and preservation of historical and cultural heritage.
The BID funded a threeminute Tailor Made Media music video produced by Joe Acchione. It is designed to be a video post card shared with friends who enjoy West Chester.
The audience also saw a Great American Main Street award video that is “both informative of the history of revitalization and the current qualities of West Chester,” Johnstone said. It was produced by the National Main Street Center.
“The BID has been an extremely efficient organization that took a depressed downtown environment to what it is today—a gem of Chester County and the region,” Mayor Jordan Norley said. “Thanks to the commitment and dedication of (borough) council and volunteers who dedicated themselves to the community they love.”
Johnstone told about 100 attendees that through social media, website and print, the BIDs outreach was 3 million in 2016.
The BIDs operating revenue is partly tied to the total assessed value of properties in the district. That value jumped from $115 million to $131 million in 2016, an increase of $16 million.
The BID encourages the arts. The opening of the Uptown! Knaur Performing Arts Center has been a big boost to the borough. The former National Guard Armory building was fully remodeled and opened Dec. 31, 2016. The opening production, Spamalot, sold out for almost every performance.
“This shows that this theater can be supported by our population,” Johnstone said. “We hope to see the arts become an economic driver.”
Nickerson Rossi Dance Company gave a sneak preview performance of an upcoming run. Artist Adrian Martinez chatted about his exhibit interpreting Humphry Marshall, now featured at the Historical Society.
Johnstone was pleased to say that the BID also helped secure a $200,000 Grant-to –Loan from the Pennsylvania Department of the Community and Economic Development.
Johnstone even received a phone call from Gov. Tom Wolf who said that West Chester is “a model worthy of recognition.”
“I am very proud that West Chester was recognized by Main Street America for its success at revitalizing its business district and surrounding area,” Wolf said.
Johnston also looks to the future.
He noted that borough council is considering development at Gay and Church streets. A new Zukin Marriot hotel at Gay and Walnut streets is also planned.
David Zellers Jr. is a field service specialist for the Pennsylvania Downton Center in Harrisburg which Johnstone said has been instrumental in the BIDs success.
“I can say without hesitation that West Chester is the envy of so many community revitalization efforts right now,” Zellers said. “Malcolm is a fine role model for us young professionals.”