The Beaver Falls CDC is finishing up their second year as recipients of the Pennsylvania NAP (Neighborhood Assistance Program) grant. Over the past two years, the CDC has used this grant to bring life to the Boost Our Blocks Initiative. The project serves what the CDC calls their target neighborhood, a zone that was created by research done in the first year of funding. This target neighborhood stretches from 4th to 8th Avenue and from 10th to 14th Street, covering a lot of downtown Beaver Falls. We believe this zone of homes, businesses, and land has the potential to grow and experience revitalization where needed.
This year, Juliet Casinelli, the Director of Neighborhood Revitalization, has spent most of her time researching the area, learning about everything from demolition to house remodeling, and communicating with neighbors and hearing what matters to them. Over the past year, the Boost Our Blocks Initiative has remodeled a porch, provided new windows to a home, completed landscaping in two yards, and painted the outside of two businesses. In addition to the cosmetic work completed, we demolished two blighted properties in downtown.
All of the work above was completed in partnership with others: with neighbors, with the city, with local businesses, and with residents across the city. The heart of the NAP is founded in partnership and encourages its awardees to live out the same mission in their projects. The CDC is encouraged and excited about the buy-in we have seen by those we worked with this year.
The CDC was recently approved for another year of funding. With next year’s funding, the team will tackle more demolition, house projects, land banking, and beautification. The CDC is most excited to meet new people who are enthusiastic to partner with us to bring health to our great city of Beaver Falls.
