Discussion focuses on revitalization
Butler's Downtown Revitalization Committee has gotten peoples' attention.
Tuesday they had the undivided attention of most downtown merchants as they gathered at the Penn Theater on Main Street to discuss the committee's ideas for revitalization.
Th committee came together on its own after the city began work on Butler's West End Revitalization Project, which includes the city's business district.
Tuesday's presentation showed merchants what the committee might propose to the state Department of Community and Economic Development in hopes of getting a grant for streetscape improvements and other projects.
The committee's focus is for the city to be accepted in the national Main Street program through which the city could hire a manager to help with downtown projects, said Vince Tavolario, owner of Natili's restaurants on North and South Main Street and chairman of the committee.
The committee is working to become a non-profit so it may be eligible to apply for and manage state and federal grants.
Keeping the businesses the city has now, recruiting new businesses, improving the look of downtown and developing "destination attractions" for visitors to the city are all ideas that must be developed, Tavolario said.
The committee's ideas were met with a few nods of approval from business people, and there was slight applause at the end of the meeting.
The committee will have a meeting for the public at 7 p.m. Nov. 9 at Butler Junior High School on East North Street. At that time the committee will again give its presentation and a state official will discuss what the city needs to do to join the Main Street program.