5.0 PRIORITIES + IMPLEMENTATION Long-term Partnerships
Introduction The purpose of this report section is to outline the value of developing an organization structure and maintaining partnerships, describe potential funding sources, and propose a set of priority actions to be taken by each District Partner. The foundation of the Indiana Community University District Master Plan and planning process is the partnership formed between White Township, the Borough of Indiana, IUP, and Indiana County. The underlying notion that lead to this partnership is that there are community planning and development issues which contribute to the vitality of each entity that can best be addressed by working together. The planning process further validated a common sense of purpose and vision in this effort. Further, the process has demonstrated the value of collaboration. Each entity has their own issues to address and ideas to pursue as a result of this planning process, and each has gained insight into the needs and values of their counterparts. Establishment of an Organizing Structure To build on the collaborative value created during the planning process, we recommend that the entities involved establish a community and economic development organization to: • Fund and implement key physical improvements that cross jurisdictional boundaries (e.g. a bike path and lanes along Oakland Avenue) • Continue to coordinate and communicate ongoing initiatives within each partner organization that are relevant to the District (e.g. Rose Street multi-use path connection) • Collaborate on implementing changes to development guidelines and ordinances that are derived from the recommendations of this study • Promote redevelopment and economic investment in the District
There are several organizational mechanisms which would allow the District Partners to continue to work together. The simplest is to have each partner commit to meeting on a regular basis to update one another on the progress of the initiatives of this study. This would require very little organizational effort up front, but does establish strong organizational basis for collaboratively seeking funding and implementing projects. Two forms of organizational structure have been used throughout Pennsylvania to promote economic redevelopment. These are typically groups that operate with the blessing of the local government entities, but independent from them. These organizations are sanctioned by enabling legislation in Pennsylvania, and can accept and manage many grants and programs. The first such organization is a Community Development Corporation (CDC). This group is typically focused on the stabilization and development of neighborhoods, paying more attention to housing than other development needs. This is not necessarily the only focus of the CDC, as the Wilkinsburg CDC demonstrates in their activities and programs related to business district revitalization. A second common form of organization is the Economic Development Corporation (EDC). Most EDC’s, like the Indiana County EDC, tend to focus on job growth and industrial development; however, like the CDC’s, they are able to take on a broader role in community development. In the long run, the businesses along the corridors may be well served by the expansion of the Downtown Indiana Business Improvement District (BID) or the creation of a new BID. This organization allows business districts to work together to fund and manage maintenance and improvement initiatives within a given district. The formation of a BID does not fill the need for a organizing structure for the District as discussed above, but would be complementary. Each of these approaches should be studied further to understand which best fits the needs of the local district and its partners. Given the need to tackle some of the fundamental issues discovered during this study and the potential complexity of solutions, it is prudent to consider how to best take advantage of the cooperation of the District Partners.
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