LansdowneFuture History of LEDC

LEDC History

The LEDC was formed in 1998 by a group of Lansdowne residents and business owners with support from Lansdowne Borough Council out of concern for the vitality of Lansdowne’s Central Business District, (CBD). At that time, most of the larger buildings in the CBD were vacant and in a continued state of decline. Store front vacancies were at record high levels and there had not been any new commercial development in the CBD in decades. The LEDC was formed as a 501 c-3 not- for- profit corporation and received its designation as a public charity from the Internal Revenue Service effective September 21, 1998. The corporation was patterned after the model adopted by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, (DCED), for the Main Street Program. Initially the corporation was formed with a nine member volunteer Board of Directors appointed by Lansdowne Borough Council. The Board of Directors was empowered to recruit new members and to replace retiring members. The corporation is allowed a maximum number of fifteen board members all of whom are volunteers and receive no compensation. All of the current and former board members are or were Lansdowne residents or Lansdowne businesses owners.

The Board of Directors believed then and still believes today that the Main Street Program will benefit the Lansdowne business community. The Main Street Program was originally developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a methodology to stop the decline of small towns across the United States and to stimulate economic growth through a managed community process. Because the program has been successful, individual States, including the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, adopted the program as their methodology to revitalize small towns. Pennsylvania is one of the few states to provide any funding for the program. The LEDC made its original application to DCED to become a Main Street Community in 1999 but was not accepted into the program. There are only 55 communities in all of Pennsylvania designated as Main Street Communities. In a bi-partisan effort, with support from Lansdowne Borough Council and State Representative Nicholas Micozzie, the LEDC re-submitted its application and was accepted into the Main Street Program July 2005. Under the Main Street Program the community of Lansdowne will receive grant funds from DCED to partially fund the Main Street Program administration, events and promotions, and $120,000 over a four-year period to award as facade improvement matching grants to Lansdowne business owners and business property owners. In return for its investment in the Lansdowne business community the DCED requires that the Lansdowne community also contribute to the Program. Designation as a Main Street Community qualifies the LEDC to apply for other grant funding.

What has the LEDC done?

Since its inception the LEDC has worked to promote Lansdowne as a good place to invest and do business. LEDC board members have been involved in many projects and have worked with local governments and other community groups to promote Lansdowne and generate economic activity. LEDC board members have met with many business owners and investors to provide information and to encourage them to invest in the Lansdowne business community. So what has the LEDC done? What is it doing? And what has it accomplished? The following are highlights of its activities.

Produced 4th Annual Lansdowne Arts Festival

September 15 — 17, 2006, the LEDC produced and managed the fourth annual Lansdowne Arts Festival. The 2006 event featured over 35 artists and 12 performing acts, plus children activities and plays. Friday evening activities included a reception and pre-show art sale. The event was promoted in print media around the region, in local newspapers including the Philadelphia Inquirer and in radio spots on WXPN. Nearly 2,500 people attended the weekend activities which showcase Lansdowne as a community abundant in arts and culture.

Investigating the Potential for a Lansdowne Farmers’ Market

Representatives from the LEDC Economic Restructuring Committee visited the Clark Park Farmers’ Market and meet with the executive director of the Food Trust. The Food Trust organizes and oversees several farmers’ markets in the Philadelphia area. The committee is exploring the potential of developing a similar venue in Lansdowne.

Working to Restore the Lansdowne Theater

The LEDC and Greater Lansdowne Civic Association, (GLCA), continue their work in the joint venture to seek new uses and the restoration of the Historic Lansdowne Theater. The joint venture has engaged the services of John Milner Architects & Associates to conduct a comprehensive study of the building’s condition and structural integrity.

Promoted Lansdowne through Philadelphia Open House Tour

On May 6, 2006 visitors from around the region and from as far as Princeton, NJ and Reading, PA toured six beautiful homes in the Lansdowne Park Historic District along with an exclusive tour of the stained glass window collection at the Lansdowne First Presbyterian Church. The Philadelphia Open House Tours are sponsored by the Friends of Independence National Park. Lansdowne is the first and only Delaware County community to be featured in their tour series. The tours are promoted in print and radio advertising and in 50,000 brochures distributed through direct mail, at the Philadelphia Visitors Center and at other retail and tourist destinations. Lansdowne is described as a Historic Community containing many Frank Furness designed buildings and as having two National Register Historic Districts — one of which has the largest concentration of Victorian era homes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Attended Conference for Community Theaters Operators

May 2006, LEDC representatives attended a two-day theater summit sponsored by the DCED. The conference was attended by not-for-profit and for-profit theater operators and representatives from community organizations in various stages of acquiring, developing, and or operating a community theater.

Arranged Sherwin Williams Discount for All Lansdowne Residents

Early in 2006 the LEDC formed an alliance with Sherwin Williams in conjunction with the Façade Improvement Matching Grant Program to provide technical assistance and color consulting to help business property owners. Sherwin Williams graciously extended their support to include all Lansdowne residents in their Neighbor to Neighbor program. All Lansdowne residents are eligible to receive 20% discounts on non-sale merchandise and 5% off of sale prices. Click on Sherwin Williams on this web-site to learn how to participate.

Meeting With Developers and Public Officials

Throughout the year the LEDC hosted several meetings between local, county, and state officials, developers and civic and cultural organizations to encourage investment, renovation and development in the Lansdowne CBD.

Obtained Lansdowne’s Designation as a Main Street Community

In July 2005 Lansdowne was officially designated as a Main Street Community and received funding from the DCED to establish the program and hire a Main Street Manager. On September 1, 2005 Garry Chilutti joined the LEDC as the Main Street Manager and opened the Main Street office at 12 S. Lansdowne Avenue.

Hosted 3rd Annual Lansdowne Arts Festival

September 2005 the LEDC sponsored the Third Annual Arts Festival, attended by nearly 2,000 people including representatives from the Philadelphia Cultural Alliance thereby broadening the events exposure in surrounding communities.

Obtained $1.5 Million in Community Development Grants

The LEDC and the Greater Lansdowne Civic Association, (GLCA), formed a new joint venture called The Partnership for Community and Economic Development to address several community and economic development projects. With the assistance of Representative Nicholas Micozzie the Partnership was granted funds from DCED for three community projects.

• The first grant for $200,000 was for the development of a Gateway Park. The Partnership acquired the property at the corner of W. Baltimore Ave. and Scottdale Road, prepared a preliminary landscape design for the park, and on behalf of the community transferred the property to Lansdowne Borough . The Borough has subsequently received additional grant funds to develop the park.
• The second grant for $400,000 is being used to update electric and heating systems at the Historic Twentieth Century Clubhouse and to address life safety issues. The renovations include the installation of fire detection and alarm systems and a fire suppression system. This building is a unique community treasure and has been the home of many cultural events in the community for nearly 100 years. These necessary renovations are designed to protect this community asset and to continue the arts and cultural traditions unique to the Lansdowne community.
• The third grant for $900,000 is a development incentive grant for the Lansdowne Theater. The Lansdowne Theater built in 1927 and dark since 1987 is on the National Register of Historic Places and has the potential, if restored, to be a destination point and a stimulant of economic activity. The grant funds are to be used to locate a developer/operator for the building and to stabilize the building to prevent additional decay. The theater is currently privately owned.

Promoted Lansdowne at Union Land Institute Forum

In February 2004 LEDC board members and Borough officials promoted Lansdowne at the Union Land Institute Forum held at Philadelphia’s Union League and distributed the LEDC’s business opportunities brochure “Small Town — Big Business” and other marketing materials to developers and attendees.

Had Lansdowne Added to List of Top 10 Places to Live

The LEDC worked with the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, (DVRPC), and the Greater Philadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce to designate Lansdowne as one of the top 10 places for young professionals — “knowledge workers” to live and work. This is an effort to retain top college graduates in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. Lansdowne and the other top ten communities are being promoted by the Grater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce in printed material distributed in the areas top Colleges and Universities and on the web-site www.GreaterPhillyLife.com.

Examined the Issue of Liquor Sales in Lansdowne

In the spring of 2003 the LEDC hosted a public meeting to examine the pros and cons of permitting the sale of alcohol in the Borough. In May of 2003 the issue of liquor sales was a question in the primary election. This effort was in response to guidance the LEDC received from restaurateurs suggesting that Lansdowne would be an attractive location for full service restaurants.

Sponsored First Tour of “Victorian Lansdowne”

May 2003 the LEDC co-sponsored with the GLCA and the Friends of Independence National Park a tour of “Victorian Lansdowne”. Lansdowne was the first Delaware County community to be featured in the Philadelphia Open House Tours. This has now become an annual event and Lansdowne is promoted throughout the region as a historic community.

Created the First Lansdowne Arts Festival

September 2003 the LEDC and Lansdowne Borough produced and sponsored the first Lansdowne Arts Festival featuring the works and talents of local visual and performing artists.

Worked to Create Lansdowne’s Re-development Plan

The LEDC was a key partner in the creation of a redevelopment area plan for Lansdowne’s Central Business District. Working with the Borough, the LEDC made an (2003), application to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission for a $40,000 Transportation and Community Development Grant, and LEDC board members served on the steering committee overseeing the consultants who prepared the Redevelopment Plan completed in July 2004. This plan has become the blue print for re-development of the Central Business District.

Commissioned Lansdowne Market Analysis Study

The LEDC raised nearly $15,000 through a grant and contributions from board members and friends to fund a Market Analysis Study, the report issued January 2003, was presented to Lansdowne residents and business owners and made available to anyone considering investing or opening a business in Lansdowne.

Launched LEDC Web-site

Created the LEDC web-site www.OurTownsFuture.com.

Helped Prepare the Delaware County Renaissance Plan for Zone 5

In 2002, LEDC board members served on the steering committee for the Delaware County Renaissance Plan for Zone 5, which included Lansdowne and five other neighboring communities.

Completed North Lansdowne Avenue Streetscape Project

The LEDC worked with Lansdowne Borough to obtain grant funds to replace the sidewalks along North Lansdowne Ave. and install planters and pedestrian friendly street lamps.

Conducted Lansdowne Shoppers’ Survey

Working with local retailers the LEDC distributed over 5,000 Consumer Surveys to learn how consumers perceived the district, where they shopped, how often they shopped in Lansdowne and where they worked and lived. This information was later used in the Market Analysis Study.

Created Marketing Booklet “Small Town — Big Business”

Prepared and distributed a marketing brochure “Small Town – Big Business” that has been distributed to real estate investors and developers throughout the region.

Conducted Focus Groups

The LEDC sponsored and conducted nine Focus Groups with residents, community leaders and business owners to learn how the Lansdowne business district was perceived and how they envision the district in the future. This information was used in part to prepare the application for acceptance to the Main Street Program.