Year 1: August Update (Part 2)

Hello, things here in the Vandergrift Improvement Program office have been busy. We have been steadily working on a variety of tasks as we push forward through Year 1.

Some of the tasks we've been working on includes the Vandergrift Banner Program. Our Design Committee has been working to refine the designs of two banners that will eventually dress up the streetscape (hanging from light poles) in early 2007. Stop by the VIP office to see the banner designs in progress and give us your feedback! The Design Committee has also been working with the Main Street Coordinator in the creation of the Design Guidelines and Facade Grant application. These Guidelines should be completed by November or December of this year.

Our Economic Restructuring Committe has been busy conducting surveys among the business and property owners. They have also been busy with acquiring downtown district building information and property data. This Committee is laying the groundwork needed to improve the existing downtown businesses as well as determining what new businesses Vandergrift could bring into their downtown.

Our Promotion Committee has been working to organize events that could be held in downtown Vandergrift. One of their goals is to increase public awareness about downtown businesses and to encourage downtown shopping. Some Special Events will take place in downtown Vandergrift in an effort to bring people into town! This Committee was also busy with selling water and drinks in the VIP Booth at the local Italian Festival on Aug. 20th.

Our Organization Committee has been busy doing volunteer recruitment and managing the organizations finances. If you are interested in local history, preservation, or sustainability, or have a variety of skills such as bookkeeping, special events, promotions, real estate, construction, design.....there is a place for you to volunteer with our organization! We can find a place to fit your interests. Please contact us at: vip@akvalley.net

Year 1: August update (Part 1)

Vandergrift, PA is currently in the provisional Year 1 of the Main Street program. The Vandergrift Improvement Program has hired a Main Street Manager from Pittsburgh History and Landmarks to assist them in the completion of the Main Street program requirements. It is our goal to complete Year 1 by December 2006. After fulfilling the requirements for Year 1, we will then apply for Year 2 to become a designated Main Street Community.

Currently we are working to complete the 5 steps required for completing Year 1:

• Completion of a 5 year strategy
• Completion of a market assessment and image development
• Completion of a long-term fund raising plan
• Completion of design guidelines
• Office & computer readiness

We have been working on the market assessment requirements since June 2006 and are now starting to make progress with creating the design guidelines, an historic review board, and historic ordinances to present to the Borough.

The office is currently up and running. We are located at 132 Grant Avenue in downtown Vandergrift. Stop by and visit the next time you're in town!