Join focus group to help make Pottstown’s future brighter
As Main Street Manager in Downtown Pottstown, I wanted to share in this information that I shared first at The Hill School’s Investor’s Conference in April. I live on North Hanover Street, two blocks away from the downtown. My office is on High Street, as is our family business. All five of our children attend or did attend the public schools in town and nine years ago, my family did not pick Pottstown on purpose, but, if we had to do it all over again, we’d pick the same community we call home — Pottstown, Pa.!
The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority was created 30 years ago and has since seen many changes. Amanda Smith is no longer selling pies on the street corner and the large industries that once employed more than 1,500 Pottsonians average about 50 in today’s world. Women who once stayed at home have fully infiltrated the modern workforce, and technology has made tremendous progress. What we once thought of as a “traditional” downtown, is now being redefined and changing with the needs of today’s modern ways.
In our lifetime, it is predicted that self-driving cars will be commonplace, (which would end our back-in parking issue!). Many changes will be demanded of downtowns and small businesses.
With concerns for our planet, “greener” downtowns are becoming more popular. Trails and rivers are becoming an important part of the new wave of residents who are migrating to these worn out industrial towns. These are the new pioneers in urban America.
In 2017 the downtown had five new businesses open, and the Charlotte Street corridor is now full and thriving! In 2018, six more businesses will be opening in the downtown. Buildings have been sold and plans for additional businesses are in the works, few buildings in the PDIDA District will remain empty in the next few years. Progress is definitely being made in our corner of town!
A new logo for the downtown will soon be shared, banners will line our streets as we welcome new opportunities.
And while crime is always a concern, Pottstown has seen a decrease in crime in recent years.
Events have already begun as we welcomed our first, and successful, EcoFest in May. On June 14, we open for our third season the Pottstown FARM with more than 25 vendors, and for all who run, be sure to join us at Riverfront Park on June 28 for our 5K Run to the FARM! Funds raised from this race will help bring more events to our downtown community! On June 9, we will connect the downtown with the Montgomery County Studio Tour for our fourth Annual Arts Walk. You can enjoy “popup” restaurants being planned and with the help of Hobarts Run and PAID, our second Fete En Blanc is scheduled for September 14. As the trees change we will hold a 30th year anniversary event including a strong promotion encouraging you to “Shop Small, Buy Local” and support our businesses throughout the season!
Would you like more events? Live music on the streets? If every person in our town (22,000 residents) gave $1, we’d have the ability to do this, and many other things to help keep our downtown clean, green and inviting. Think about that!
The PDIDA Board and myself, wish to welcome you to take a new look at Downtown Pottstown in 2018!
Please visit our website at www.downtownpottstown.org to donate or send your donation to Pottstown Downtown Foundation, 238 E High St., Pottstown, PA 19464.
Mark your calendar and come in for our next Focus Group on Thursday, May 31, at 6:30 p.m. We are going to unveil our new logo for Downtown and discuss some new ways to bring Clean and Green to our community!