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N E W S R E L E A S E |
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State Rep. Robert Freeman
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CONTACT: Ann Beth Kier |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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Governor to sign Freeman’s Elm Street legislation
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – State Rep. Robert Freeman’s Elm Street bill is headed for the governor’s desk for his signature after the House passed a final version of the measure 196-0.
Freeman’s legislation (H.B. 500) would create the Elm Street Program, a significant urban residential enhancement initiative that would target older established residential neighborhoods for revitalization.
In June, Freeman’s bill became the first piece of legislation included in Gov. Ed Rendell’s Plan for a New Pennsylvania when it passed the state House 199-0. Rendell endorsed Freeman’s proposal while running for governor and proposed $5 million for the Elm Street Program in last year’s state budget. He proposed $7 million for Elm Street this year. The Senate voted unanimously for the bill on Jan. 21 after making minor changes.
“This vote today was the last hurdle my legislation needed to clear before going to the governor’s desk for his signature,” Freeman said. “Pennsylvanians who live in older, established residential neighborhoods will now be able to draw on some significant resources to reclaim and stabilize their communities.”
The Elm Street Program will be administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development and will be similar to the state’s existing Main Street Program. While Main Street focuses on revitalizing downtown commercial districts, Elm Street will target residential districts in close proximity to those commercial districts.
The Elm Street Program will provide municipalities with a maximum of five years of financial assistance to hire an Elm Street manager to work with local officials and community groups to establish a plan for revitalizing targeted neighborhoods.
Grants will go toward administrative costs, as well as infrastructure and structural improvements like sidewalk repairs, tree plantings and building façade work. The Elm Street manager would also focus on marketing plans; promoting home ownership and other housing options; addressing social and economic concerns such as blight, crime, and public services in targeted neighborhoods; and assessing current zoning codes and comprehensive plans to ensure their compatibility with revitalization efforts.
“My legislation establishes the first Elm Street program in the nation,” Freeman said. “Elm Street recognizes that you need to have healthy, stable residential neighborhoods, as well as a healthy and stable commercial downtown, in order for urban communities to succeed. Elm Street is the missing piece in the urban revitalization puzzle.”
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