Senator David G. Argall and Representative Jerry P. Knowles paid a visit to the Hamburg Strand to congratulate the Our Town Foundation and Hamburg Borough representatives for two grants received to assist with the revitalization and development of the community on Friday, Oct. 10.
“Rep. Knowles and I have worked on a lot of these downtown revitalization projects over the years,” said Sen. Argall. “In some other communities, we’ve seen the blight spread like a cancer.”
Sen. Argall and Rep. Knowles touted the community for being proactive.
“What Jerry and I talked about one day was that what’s cool in Hamburg is that you didn’t wait for the blight to start,” said Sen. Argall.
“Hamburg is one of the neatest little communities in the district I represent,” said Rep. Knowles. “I commend all of you. Each and every one of you plays a part in what happens here in Hamburg.”
In June, the PA Department of Community and Economic Development approved a $31,050 grant for installation of a digital projector at the Hamburg Strand. The OTF matched the grant with another $31,000 and has worked extensively on revamping the historic theater.
“We know if we did not buy it (the theater), this would not be here today,” said Deena Kershner, Executive Director of OTF. “We are certainly not making a profit. It’s a lot of work, but it’s here for the community. We are fulfilling the mission to have it here for the community.”
Also, Kershner added that improvements to the theater’s roof are currently in progress. Money from the Taste of Hamburg-er Festival fund has been borrowed for the improvements, and a gala will be held to raise funds.
A second grant was recently approved for $165,724 for improvements to and beautification of a borough-owned parking lot at 3rd and Grant Streets. Kershner passed around a mock-up drawing to give everyone an idea of what the parking lot will look like.
“Right now, it is just a blighted, vacant lot,” said Kershner. “It has been that way for 20 years.”
Work on the lot will include resurfacing, lighting for safety, storm-water improvements and added greenery. This project will be the first major beautification project that the Foundation is undertaking through their Southgate Neighborhood Revitalization program.
“I admire the folks here who are willing to tackle the big projects,” said Sen. Argall.
Both Sen. Argall and Rep. Knowles expressed the importance of the community’s efforts.
“The downtown is the heart of your community,” he said. “And if you lose your heart, it’s not going to be a good life.”
For Hamburg, the upcoming parking lot project is one of many ongoing efforts to revitalize the community and protect the town’s history.
The benefit auction and gala event to raise funds for the Hamburg Strand’s roof project will take place Sunday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. at Fish Pond West, 200 Swiftwater Lane in Leesport. To purchase tickets, or for more information, contact the Our Town Foundation at 610-562-3106 or at otfmanager@aol.com.
