City Agencies Seek $650,000 in Grant Funding

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council members listen to presentations
on three grant applications totaling $650,000, that
will, if approved by the state, support various ongoing
revitalization efforts in the city.

Easton's city council backed three grant applications seeking a total of $650,000 in state funding to support various programs related to ongoing revitalization efforts at its meeting Wednesday evening.

The West Ward Neighborhood Partnership (WWNP) is seeking $50,000 from the state in support of its Elm Street program, which would go towards sidewalk and porch renovation grants for eligible homeowners in the neighborhood, along with the addition of more street trees and support for new signs for commercial endeavors in the district.

"We want to continue the funding even though it's less than previous amounts because we want to continue our programs," WWNP Director Esther Guzman told city council members.

Mayor Sal Panto said he very much supports the work the WWNP does and lamented that more state funding to support isn't available.

"We used to get $250,000," he said. "The state continues to balance its budget on the back of the local programs."

The Elm Street program, intended to support revitalization in older residential neighborhoods, was initiated by local state Representative Robert Freeman (D-136), Panto noted.

"Even at $50,000, we're going to take these baby steps," Panto said. "It's making a difference."

The Easton Redevelopment Authority (ERA) will seek a $300,000 Keystone Development Grant through the state's Department of Community and Economic Development to rehab four blighted properties--two in the city's South Side neighborhood, and two in the West Ward.

"Without these funds, these properties will just sit as they are and continue to deteriorate," said ERA community development specialist Michael Brett.

Panto said that in addition to eliminating the hazards blighted properties pose, rehabbing as many dilapidated properties as possible in the city is ultimately a strategy for keeping taxes lower.

"I also believe the more population we have as we grow out of the Urban Renewal era...will help us to control costs," he said, adding that he wants to ultimately see the city population top 30,000. "Sustainability comes in a lot of flavors, and rehabilitation of old homes is a part of that."

Another $300,000 in grant funding is being sought by the Greater Easton Development Partnership to support the Easton Farmers' Market's Public Market, to be housed in the former Weller Center at 325 Northampton St.

The money will be used for a revolving loan program that will support capital purchases of vendors' start up costs at the market, and matching fund requirements for the grant have already been satisfied by the city's grant of $1 million to parent organization Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) last year to purchase the building, project manager Jared Mast told city council members.

"As these vendors repay the loans, the funds would be put in a revolving loan account...that would be available to new or existing businesses in Easton," Mast said.

He added that the advantage to both Public Market and other business owners in the city is that interest rates would be substantially less than bank rates for the loans.

ERA and GEDP Director Gretchen Longenbach said that the ERA "doesn't intend to recover any money" for the first two grant applications, the $300,000 for the Public Market loans, if approved by the state, would serve the city's business community well in the long run.

"We hope to help multiple businesses and entrepreneurs," she said.

She added that it was initially hoped the city might be eligible for even more funding than is being applied for in all three projects, but was advised by the state to "streamline and prioritize" when it came to the Keystone Grant applications.

City Council Delays Vote on Million-Dollar Grant to GEDP

By Christina Georgiou

Easton City Council members decided to table a vote on a $1 million grant
to the Greater Easton Development Partnership that would enable the
private non-profit corporation to purchase the vacant Weller Center
building on Northampton Street without taking out a loan or mortgage.

 Easton City Council members decided to delay voting Wednesday evening on a resolution that would  grant the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) $1 million to fund the purchase of the Weller Center building at 325 Northampton St. in Downtown Easton.

The Weller building, which GEDP has agreed to purchase, is set to house a year-round, indoor, expanded version of the Easton Farmers' Market (EFM), as well as house the offices of GEDP and the programs the private non-profit corporation runs, including the Easton Main Street Initiative, the Easton Ambassadors, and the EFM. The Weller Center's offices would also be located on the second floor of the building for about a year, with the Weller foundation leasing back space for about a year, Weller representatives have said.

The grant, if the council votes in favor of it, would cover the entire purchase price of the vacant building, as well as some "soft costs" and preliminary construction funding, according to the resolution presented before the city council. The document indicates the selling price of the building has been agreed upon at $900,000.

The source of the grant to GEDP would be tax-exempt bonds issued by the City of Easton, the proposed resolution states.

While Gretchen Longenbach, who serves as both a city employee as its redevelopment authority director and as executive director for GEDP told city council the new farmers' market plan was a sound one, some board members said that while they support the new market, they were not convinced a grant from the city is a sound investment before having seen the non-profit's business plan and financial projections for the project.

Gretchen Longenbach, who serves as both the city's
redevelopment authority director and as executive director
for GEDP, talks about the benefits a proposed $1 million city
grant would have for the new Easton Public Market, a year-
round, expanded, indoor version of the Easton Farmers'
Market that would occupy the vacant Weller Center
building on Northampton Street. City Finance Director Chris
Heagele, right, did not provide any comment on the matter.

"We're giving one million dollars away," Councilman Roger Ruggles said. "I've got a problem with that...I've got nothing in front of me that shows me the potential of what this thing is going to return."

Mayor Sal Panto said that while a pro forma document has not been presented to the city for review by GEDP, he's confident the grant would be a sound investment.

"I'm under the impression that doing this reduces (GEDP) reliance on city funding," he said.

But city solicitor William Murphy said while that might be true, there's no guarantee of it or of the new "Easton Public Market" being financially successful.

"We as the city have no control over how GEDP conducts its affairs," he noted. "The conditions upon which (the million dollars) is given is that it is non-refundable."

The City of Easton's current annual contribution to GEDP is $375,000, much of which is used to fund the Main Street, Ambassadors, and current farmers' market.

Longenbach said that while the grant would ultimately be likely to reduce the amount of funding GEDP relies upon from the city, that wouldn't happen for at least a few years, until the new market starts to show a definite profit.

While GEDP is a non-profit corporation, the Weller venture would not be tax-exempt due to the fact the organization will be renting space to for-profit small businesses, Longenbach said. She added that the project not being tax-exempt means if GEDP were to have to resort to a traditional loan or mortgage situation to pay for the building, it would not only have to start paying back the money immediately, but would also be subject to paying taxes and fees, raising the cost of the project.

"The only scenario under which we could use bond funds was this one," she said. "It also makes our construction loan a much more doable deal."

She added, "This particular structure has the best chance of success."

"My problem is I'm being asked to vote on a resolution that gives away a million dollars, and I've not seen any numbers. None," said Ruggles. "I can't do that responsibly."

Councilwoman El Warner also said she was uncomfortable with the situation.

"I want the market to happen, but I'm not comfortable handing over one million dollars in taxpayer dollars...While I'd like to give (the public) the market, I'm not sure it's in the top five things (they want)," Warner said.

Preliminary plans for the new indoor market at the vacant
Weller Center building were shown during an announcement
of the plan in July, but some city council members say they
want to see more of the business plan and revenue projections
before voting on whether to grant $1 million to GEDP for
the project.
Click on the image for a full-size view

She added that she wanted to see more numbers and specific revenue projections from GEDP before she makes a final decision on the matter.

"We could vote tonight, but I'd have to vote no," she said. "If you gave me two weeks, I might change my mind."

Longenbach said the project could still move forward with the delay, but warned further delays could imperil the plan to close the sale of the building in October.

"It's imperative, whether through a grant from the city or otherwise that we be able to move forward so we don't jeopardize that," she told council members.

While Panto agreed the request for more specific financial information and GEDP's business plan for the space was reasonable, he said he's personally satisfied with the little that's been presented so far, noting a lot of the information will be contingent on what happens after the building is purchased.

"My concerns on this were satisfied today," he said, adding that he feels the new market is the best use for the space. "That building is just too big to attract a private developer. I think it's a good project, and it has my full support."

Longenbach promised to deliver more specific information to council members in coming days, and the matter is expected to be discussed again at the city council committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10, with the resolution set to be revisted at the council's next regular meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11.

GEDP Touts Accomplishments, Hints at Future Projects

By Christina Georgiou

Click on any photo to see it full size.

There are three organizations—Easton Main Street, the Easton Ambassadors, and the Easton Farmers' Market—that Mayor Sal Panto says he credits with attracting and increasing development in the city's Downtown. 

"These three organizations—without them we'd revert 20 years,” he told a group of about 50 people gathered at Nurture Nature Center for the Greater Easton Development Partnership (GEDP) annual meeting Thursday evening. 

Panto estimated there is currently $320 million worth of development projects currently taking place in the city, and said that revenue related to business has been steadily rising. He added the city currently sees $1.2 million annually in revenue from taxes and user fees, an amount he expects to rise by another $220,000 when Crayola completes its expansion.

“Neighborhoods will always be the lifeblood of the city, but Downtown is (where the money comes from),” the mayor said. “It's happening. And those that don't believe that, let them go. Because we don't need them.” 

GEDP is the overseeing organization for all three, and while it's not a part of the Easton's government, it also works closely with the city's Redevelopment Authority. Gretchen Longenbach, a city employee, is the Authority's director and also the executive director for the GEDP.

She explained some of the relationship between the city's Redevelopment Authority and GEDP.

"When the Redevelopment Authority...loans funds to the developer...the funds are granted on repayment to GEDP,” Longenbach said, adding that some of that money is used to fund the Main Street and Ambassadors programs.

“We are attempting to not be as reliant on city funds,” she said.

Annually, the GEDP budget includes:

• GEDP administration $35,000
• Main Street Initiative $250,000
• Easton Farmers' Market $100,000
• Ambassadors $240,000

“While it's a large sum of money, in the scheme of what it can accomplish, it's actually a small sum of money,” Longenbach said.

Each of the three organizations the GEDP oversees also gave individual presentations on their efforts

The Easton Farmers' Market

EFM manager, Megan McBride, who is also the assistant director for the Easton Main Street Initiative, said that the market has been growing steadily since it came under GEDP management three years ago. She added the move was necessary.

“We needed more administration and bookkeeping,” she said.

On top of vendor efforts, about 75 people volunteer their time to promote and staff the market, along with more than a dozen commercial sponsors, McBride estimated.

“We couldn't do it without our sponsors and partners,” she said.

Signs of the market's growth and success include recognition from the USDA and the Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable  Marketers'Association, as well as an increase in the average dollars per sale and weekly attendance, McBride said.
“Originally, we had to go far and wide to find vendors,” she told

attendees Thursday evening. “That's no longer the case. We have a waiting list.”

Challenges still face the EFM when it comes to the local community, though. The market has offered small vouchers to West Ward residents in the last couple of years to acquaint them with the Saturday market, and the EFM participates in the SNAP and WIC programs—but many still don't purchase from the local fresh food market, she said.

“It's really been a challenge to get the word out,” McBride said. “We're really looking at the big picture. We're looking at obsity. We're trying to get low-income people to eat better and raise their economic status.”

When some people do visit the market too, she said, “They don't know what to do with the ingredients.”

“Our focus is to try to provice fresh food in what is close to a 'food desert,'” McBride added.

Still the market is expanding exponentially—the “producer-only” market will run through the winter this year, indoors at the Nurture Nature Center on Saturdays from November 24 through April 27.

The EFM will hold a showing of the film, “To Make a Farm” at NNC on Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. too.

Plans are also in the works to add a weekday to the 2013 market schedule, most likely on Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m., she said. 

The Easton Ambassadors

With a $240,000 annual cost and no source of revenue generation, the GEDP advocated for the creation of a Neighborhood Improvement District to fund the Ambassadors program last year.

GEDP's effort, in cooperation with Donna Taggart, former EMSI program director and principal, of Taggart and Associates, was in partnership with the California-based corporation New City America, a specialist in the advocation and creation of such districts.



Click on any slide photo for a better, full-size view.



The creation of the NID would have assessed a fee on property owners in the Downtown district—and was roundly rejected by that group, Longenbach said.

The physical scope and some hours of operation were cut back, but the Ambassadors, whose services are administered by Ohio company Block By Block, continue to be a visible part of the city.

“I'm just so glad to still be here,” said Easton Ambassadors operations manager Sandra Levisay. “We didn't have to let anyone go.”

While the Ambassadors' territory no longer includes Fifth Street, the red-shirted welcome and clean-up assistance crew continues its mission of “Clean and Safe,” with a focus on making city visitors and residents feel comfortable in the heart of Downtown, Levisay said.

“We probably have an Ambassador (on the Center Square) all day or most of the day,” she said.

The crew is estimated to have done 170,000 “hospitality greetings”--that is, saying hello to city visitors last year.

“When you get out of your car and have someone say hello to you, I think you feel more comfortable,” Levisay said.

In addition to their never-ending task of keeping the streets tidy, Ambassadors go through bi-weekly training sessions on a number of topics pertaining to their jobs, from first-aid to social skills, aimed not only at visitors, but residents that may be in need of social services, she said.

And, the crew is tasked with taking care of the 106 city planters and six flower beds, Levisay noted.

“We'd also like to get people to know the police department a little bit,” she said.

She added the Ambassadors are there at all EFM and Main Street events too.

“We support Main Street,” Levisay said. “Anything they do, we're at their side.”

Though the NID's rejection means the Ambassadors funding is limited to what the city budget, GEDP and private donors provide, the crew is still acomplishing its mission, she said.

“We're still doing the same things,” Levisay said. “We're just squishing the area a little bit.”

 

Easton Main Street Initiative

The Main Street program, run by two paid full-time employees and 60 unpaid volunteers, has worked hard since it's inception in 2005 to further its mission to “continue the economic stability and economic development Downtown,” said EMSI director Kim Kmetz.

The EMSI received a $50,000 grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development, $55,000 from Northampton County, $10,000 from the Easton House Tour and additional money from proceeds from the Easton Haunted Walking Tour in the past year to help foster its efforts at strengthening the city's growth, she said.

The program's organization, design, marketing, events, and economic structuring committees, populated by volunteers, all focus on various aspects of the effort, including ideas for vacant properties and producing promotional materials, posters and brochures. Still, it's a big job that the EMSI does, she said.

“We could use more volunteers,” Kmetz noted.

The EMSI has sponsored several concert programs, along with various mural and art projects in the Downtown, including artist-created bike racks.

“It's like it's own little walking tour,” she said of the bike racks. “We see them being used more and more all the time.”

Seventeen new businesses, along with five new restaurants, have opened or plan to open by year's end, Kmetz said.

“Of course, we always lose some,” she noted. “But every time, we step up next time.”

EMSI has conducted surveys too of the kind of businesses local would like to see open in the Downtown too. High on the list are a drycleaner, a fitness center, along with more clothing shops. Also, some expressed a desire for a shoe store, Kmetz said.

“We want people to live here, and we don't want to give people a reason to get in the cars and drive away (for these things),” she noted.

In the works for 2013 is a smartphone app highlighting Downtown businesses and attractions, as well as services like parking, and a gift card program.

A necessary update to the Main Street website delayed development of the the app, and other projects delayed the gift card being introduced, Kmetz said.

“We hoped to get it out by the holiday season this year, but that's not going to happen,” she said, adding she expects a gift card program will be announced in spring of 2013.

Also planned for 2013 are improvements to the northwest quadrant of Centre Square and the pedestrian walkway under the Route 22 overpass on North Third Street, as well as a “free library book boxes” in Downtown parks.

She said lighting and pressure washing the stained stones along the sidewalk would help entice more Lafayette College students to walk Downtown and reinforce efforts Main Street has been making to make the students feel comfortable in the city.

“Town and gown relations are extremely important,” Kmetz said.

Promoting Easton is also still forefront in Main Street's efforts too—EMSI will continue to engage Rick Ferrell , a recruiter based in Delaware, under contract since 2008, along with using the donated time and efforts of several local graphic designers and photographers, she said, and will make a special push for the holiday season and Peace Candle lighting ceremony this year.

“If we had to pay for photography and design, I don't know what we would do,” she said. “We market Easton for the holidays.”

Volunteers will also lead “Easton Fam Tours” during the fall into the holiday season, Kmetz said. The tours are designed to familiarize newcomers and visitors with Downtown shops.

“People get a little turned around because the stores aren't all on one block,” she said.

But Easton's charms outweigh any confusion.

“We have an authentic Downtown experience,” Kmetz said. “People (elsewhere) try to replicate that, but we have the real experience.”

Liz Rosen, of the EMSI Advisory Council and Design Committee chair, noted that she and Advisory Council chair Holly Edinger, conducted surveys during Heritage Day this past July to gauge visitors' experiences in the city.

“We had really positive comments,” Rosen said.

Edinger praised GEDP for their management of the program.

“Some people seem to think GEDP is this mysterious organization, but it's just the organization we work under,” Edinger said.

Longenbach agreed, saying when it comes to Easton's economic development, “GEDP is an incredibly important part of the puzzle.”