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Blueprint Communities Success
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Century-old Landmark Getting Makeover Through Blueprint Communities
 The Fayette County, PA community of Connellsville has plenty going for it - immediate access to the Youghiogheny River, historic downtown buildings, two parks, a bike/hike trail and an engaged citizenry. In 2005, a team of energized citizens was tapped by FHLBank and its partners to bring the Blueprint Communities revitalization initiative to the riverfront city. Now, their hard work is starting to pay off.
On March 31, ownership of a downtown landmark - the 101-year-old armory closed by the Pennsylvania National Guard - was transferred from the State to the City of Connellsville as part of plans formulated by the Blueprint Communities team to make it a centerpiece of downtown renewal.
Named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1993, the old armory will take shape as a military museum, community center and banquet facility. The City has pledged $110,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds toward renovation. Additional funds will come from existing donations from the local Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter and a local citizen, plus future private donations. The Connellsville Cultural Trust, which is spearheading a makeover of buildings and activities downtown in tandem with the Blueprint Communities team, will manage the building. The cultural trust is organizing a "1907 Armory Restoration Campaign" to raise funds. More information is available at: www.connellsvilleculturaltrust.org.
“I’m very proud this happened during my Administration,” said Mayor Judy Reed, who continues as one of the Blueprint Communities team members.
Other ongoing revitalization activities in Connellsville include a program to enhance the façades of the downtown area’s many historic buildings.
More Success Stories…
Blueprint Communities Arrives in Delaware
Pennsylvania paved the way in 2005 with 22 community teams. West Virginia took its turn in 2007 with ten. Now, in 2008, Delaware is getting its opportunity.
If You Can’t Fight ‘Em… Think Smarter
In July 2005, the retail environment north of Pittsburgh, PA changed dramatically when Pittsburgh Mills, a trendy shopping mecca, opened to great fanfare. Several weeks later, New Kensington, PA, a blue-collar river town down the hill from Pittsburgh Mills off Route 28, embarked on its own new journey.
Historic East Linden - an original Blueprint Community - is on a roll
When FHLBank Pittsburgh and 15 partners launched the Blueprint Communities neighborhood revitalization initiative in 2005, the 22 Pennsylvania communities selected were told that with a solid vision, strong strategic plan and plenty of hard work, more dollars could flow their way.
Miracle Gets a New Blueprint Home
“This is truly a blessing from God.”
With those words, first-time homeowner Lisa Wilson summarized her heartfelt emotions as she prepared to move into her home at 1603 Jenny Lind Street in McKeesport, PA - the first home opened in a neighborhood of new, affordable homes funded in part by FHLBank Pittsburgh in one of the Bank’s Blueprint Communities.
On March 12, Gov. Joe Manchin III,
FHLBank Pittsburgh and nearly two dozen partners celebrated
the dawning of a new day for community development
in West Virginia.
An
outgrowth of FHLBank’s successful Blueprint Communities
initiative in Pennsylvania, the event, “West
Virginia Rising,” brought together a wide variety
of public, private and nonprofit partners committed
to engaging in closer collaboration in the pursuit
of community building. To celebrate West Virginia Rising,
FHLBank commissioned a new song of the same name premiered
live before more than 125 attendees by Larry Groce,
host and artistic director of West Virginia’s
Mountain Stage®.
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