Tag Archives: Genesis Housing
Harmony and Unity in Pottstown…
We here at Roy’s Rants wholeheartedly support the Fecera’s project as the needed catalyst for revitalization in Pottstown Borough. One large project that is successfully completed will demonstrate to other developers and investors that the climate has changed. A large, empty building does nothing except breed blight and crime. A restored, well lighted and full building will transform a neighborhood. Council needs to approve this project for the betterment of Pottstown. Failure to do so will contribute to the downward spiral of this once great community.
POTTSTOWN OPEN DOORS – September 10th
Saturday, September 10th
Pottstown Opens Its Doors to YOU!
Display of rescue/police/military vehicles
Classic Cars
Rescue demonstration including repelling off the high school building
Come to Downtown Pottstown
11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Opening ceremony with Pottstown Middle School Jazz Band at Smith Plaza-11:00 a.m.
Open Doors invites you for a visit:
Pottstown Regional Public Library
Tri-PAC
The Gallery on High
Pottsgrove Manor
Pottstown Karate Club
Carousel
Genesis Housing
Hill School Art Gallery
Come to Pottstown High School
2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Kid activities
Over 30 organizational information tables
Display of police, fire, and military equipment
Free entertainment
Free food
Display of classic cars
7:00 p.m. Home Varsity Football Game – Pottstown vs. Pennwood (Admission to the game will be charged)
¨ Free entertainment
¨ Free trolley transportation
¨ Free food
¨ Giveaways
¨ Displays
¨ Tours
¨ Demonstrations
¨ Games & Activities for youngsters
¨ Moon Bounce & More!
Pottstown’s Chestnut Street Park Getting Mural
The Chestnut Street Park and adjoining police substation will soon be beautified by a mural project. Genesis Housing is funding the mural to be painted on the side of the substation facing the park. Anna Johnson, co-founder of Citizens for Pottstown Revitalization, appeared before Council urging them to approve this project (which they did unanimously).
The Gallery on High found an artist for the project who will design the mural and work with high school students to complete it.
Two Roy’s Rants thumbs up to Genesis Housing, Citizens for Pottstown Revitalization and the Gallery on High for partnering on this project to help transform a neighborhood!
Let’s Talk – Pottstown Community Meeting On April 28th
Genesis Housing Corporation, a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation, will hold a Community Meeting on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at 7:00 P.M. at the Ricketts Center, 640 Beech Street, Pottstown, PA 19464. Community members will be asked for their ideas for a new mural at the Chestnut Street Park and to help to set priorities and develop future projects. An update on Washington Street neighborhood projects including the new community garden will be discussed. Information on the Science in the Park event and other upcoming events will be provided. Community concerns about this area and other sections of the Pottstown will be explored with the hope of setting priorities for future projects.
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then the proposed mural in the Washington St. neighborhood will speak volumes on the tenacity and determination driving the revitalization of Pottstown. Genesis Housing Corporation, The Gallery on High and Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization are in collaboration to develop a mural at the park located at Washington and Chestnut Streets. The artistic coordinators, Cathy Paretti and Erika Hornburg-Cooper of the Gallery on High have selected Robert Louis Williams, an accomplished local artist to design and create the proposed park mural. Let’s talk about the different types of murals and what this mural should look like – this is the chance for your input.
Judith Memberg, Executive Director of Genesis Housing Corporation, will provide an update on their Washington Street neighborhood housing developments including the rehabilitation of vacant properties for new home buyers and the homeowner rehab programs. Information about the Pottstown Homeowner Rehab Program will be provided.
Genesis Housing Corporation serves Montgomery County as a non-profit community development organization and is dedicated to the development of affordable housing and to the education of consumers on housing and financial issues. Genesis Housing Corporation has worked with government agencies, other non-profit agencies and private housing developers to create affordable housing. Genesis Housing Corporation is certified for counseling for FannieMae, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) and many banks and local government programs.
For more information, visit our website at http://www.genesishousing.org or call 610-275-4357.
Pottstown’s Community Land Trust And Community Garden
Image via Wikipedia
On December 20, 2010, the Community Land Trust (CLT) gave a presentation before a Pottstown Borough Council and Pottstown School Board joint meeting at the Pottstown Middle School. The presentation included a PowerPoint document called “A Community Land Trust for Pottstown”, which explained what a CLT is and highlighted the many benefits it can bring to a community.
Since December, Preservation Pottstown’s leadership has been replaced by the CLT leadership and is pursuing a Community Garden project with the Pottstown School District and Genesis Housing. The CLT received a grant commitment for capacity-building support from National Penn Bank. Preservation Pottstown’s original mission and by-laws dovetail with the CLT’s mission, to increase homeownership stabilize neighborhoods and engage in economic development.
The new leadership is committed to the principles of a CLT and will be focusing on organizational issues over the next few months, including making a name change that reflects the specific vision of a land trust. CLT founding members are Dave Garner, David Jackson, Chris Huff and Sue Repko. The CLT is proud to have two members (Chris Huff and Andrew Kefer) serving on the Pottstown Planning Commission.
The CLT will be assisted in its capacity-building efforts through the support of National Penn Bank. Following the December 20th presentation, the CLT was contacted by National Penn Bank, which has representation on the boards of the Lehigh Valley and State College CLTs. In addition to offering its expertise based on that experience, National Penn has given the Pottstown CLT a grant commitment so that it can hire a nationally renowned CLT consultant to jump-start the organization. The CLT is extremely grateful for their support.
The CLT has been pursuing a Community Garden project for a vacant parcel in the 400 block of Chestnut Street. The Pottstown School District (PSD) owns the property. The CLT will be partnering with PSD and Genesis Housing on the Community Garden project. Genesis Housing’s landscape architect has developed the site plan.
Community gardens involve residents in growing their own healthy food, help families cut down on grocery bills, and beautify neighborhoods. This project will also provide community service and educational opportunities for PSD students.
The PSD Facilities Committee recommended that Dr. Reed Lindley, Superintendent of Schools, work with the PSD Solicitor to prepare an agreement for PSD School Board approval that transfers 423 Chestnut Street to the CLT for the purpose of developing a Community Garden. The agreement is to stipulate that the property return to the PSD should it no longer be used as a Community Garden. The vote was unanimous.
The CLT will be promoting and creating opportunities for arts/culture, green technologies, access to fresh food, healthy lifestyles and sustainability through affordable efficient housing, work spaces, and connections with neighborhood and community.
The CLT’s Community Garden Committee is headed by Washington Street Corridor resident Katy Jackson. Other members include: Judy Memberg, Andrew Monastra, Andrew Kefer, Mary-Beth Lydon, Joanne Waddell (president of the Pottstown Garden Club), and Eric Schmidt of Colonial Nurseries.
The CLT is looking for community support from Pottstown area businesses, churches and other organizations who are involved in community service. They ask that you please consider donating, sponsorships or volunteering in-kind services. To get involved or make donations: pottstownclt@gmail.com
Donations are tax deductible
This will be Pottstown’s first official community garden. To learn about the benefits of a community garden: http://www.communitygarden.org/learn/
The CLT’s website is: http://pottstownclt.wordpress.com/
Roy’s Rants fully supports the CLT and the Community Garden project as a way to revitalize the core neighborhood and improve the quality of life for all Pottstown residents. We urge residents, businesses and organizations to get involved with the CLT, the Community Garden project and any future projects as they develop.
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