MILTON — Change is coming to Milton, and it’s about TIME.
The Improved Milton Experience, in its fifth year, is developing an old-style streetscape downtown, with old-style street lamps, plantings and facades.
“The first steps are already under way,” said Deb Owens, manager of the Main Street Program. “The renovation of the municipal parking lot includes burying utility lines and landscaping to reflect the streetscape.”
And George Venios, TIME president, says he wants to have every vacant downtown storefront filled within the next year.
TIME has taken on redevelopment of the upriver community’s downtown. The organization successfully applied for money through the state Department of Community and Economic Development’s Main Street Program and was funded for five years, through 2010.
Luke Webber, a spokesman for the state’s Main Street Program, said the Milton program received $295,000 in its five years. Those funds are for staff salaries, operating costs and facade grants. TIME has used $230,000, Webber said, leaving $65,000 for the remaining year.
Owens, manger of the Main Street Program, credits the 117 stakeholders, including businesses, banks, service clubs and professionals, with its state of success.
“We all wanted to make Milton attractive for new business and improve its appearance,” she said. “Just this year, we’ve had several new businesses come in, a jewelry store and the English pub and restaurant, and the Subway is going to reopen.”
Owens said the summertime Music in the Park program, the Halloween costume contest, which had more than 80 participants this year, the annual Christmas promotions and the Milton Model Train Museum draw many visitors to the downtown.
“We’ve had 3,500 visitors to the Model Train Museum this year, and we’re partnering now with a number of restaurants in the area with discount cards for museum visitors,” she said.
Chuck Beck, Milton borough manager, agrees.
“TIME has had a positive impact,” he said. “The history walk and the murals are great, and they’ve done five facade programs that improve the look of our downtown.”
Borough Council’s support is evidenced by its contribution of $25,000 to TIME over the past five years, Beck said.
“It’s hard to judge success in this economy,” DCED’s Webber said, “but the progress in Milton is obvious. They’re doing something right.”
The building mural program recently received a grant to partially fund a third mural in as many years. This one, planned for the Miltonian Building, will trace the history of the borough’s fire service, which originated in that building.
“We’re also pleased with new members joining and volunteering,” Owens said.
Four committees — economic revitalization, promotions and marketing, design and property — are active, Owens said.
Owens estimated that 75 people volunteer time and effort, including members of the Milton Garden Club and volunteers at the train museum.
TIME’s long-range goals are focused on 2017, the borough’s bicentennial year.
“We’d like to get back to two-way streets,” Owens said. “There would be traffic-calming elements to slow people down. We feel that would help our downtown.”
Owens and her assistant, Sharon Craig, have provided strong leadership to the Main Street Program, Venios said.
“We’ve gotten excellent support from the borough and from the Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce,” Venios said. “The community appreciates what we’re doing, I think. They like to see tangible results.”
n E-mail comments to wlaepple@dailyitem.com
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