Students developing plan for revitalization

By Gina Morton
The Daily Item

September 30, 2008 06:15 am

— DANVILLE -- Maria and Damien Malfara sat with a group of Danville residents Monday night listening to suggestions and ideas of what can be done to revitalize the town, eager to get some input since they soon will open a business on Mill Street.
"We're starting a brew pub," Maria Malfara said, "and we're interested in seeing how Danville as a whole is growing."
The Bloomsburg residents agreed the community design meeting generated positive discussion among residents for something that has great potential.
"We wanted to share our ideas with other people," said Damien Malfara, "and we wanted to see what improvements Danville is taking as a community. ... There is so much potential for the town, we need more (people) here."
For the past few weeks, 12 Pennsylvania State University students have been working with two professors to analyze the town and determine what can be done to improve the borough.
Caru Bowns, professor of the landscape architecture class at PSU, said the students help the community come up with ideas of what to focus on.
"We take ideas from the community, identify issues and develop a strategic plan," she said.
It was evident the approximately 30 residents in attendance were engaged in the discussion by their well-thought-out answers.
Topics included improvement of buildings, enhancing the heart of the town, identified as Mill Street, improving roads and sidewalks, fixing up school neighborhoods and creating a more pedestrian-friendly area from the high school and community center to the downtown.
Jean Knouse said revitalization along the riverbank is another option. "I can't believe there are no luxury condos," she said. "Someone is missing a great opportunity."
"I think anyone that has lived in the community a long time and worked here should take the opportunity to plan further," she said after the meeting.
Jim Wilson, executive director of the Danville Main Street Program, said he heard two types of comments: ideas that have been suggested before and some he had never heard of.
"It shows fresh thinking," he said. "More and more fresh ideas help develop a plan and get people excited."
The PSU project also has been done in Sunbury and Selinsgrove in past years.
During the first portion of the project, a master plan is developed, and next semester, the students will create a conceptual design.
"We're basically facilitating community discussion," Bowns said. "Tonight, we will take information provided and give an analysis. ... We help fill the gap by getting the community involved and providing the first level of design."
The next community design meeting is set for 6 p.m. Oct. 20 in the ballroom, in the municipal building on Mill Street. The public may attend.
"It's like voting," Dave Decoteau, of Danville, said. "It's a chance to change the future of the community. It gives residents the chance to communicate."

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