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Street Landscape Committee to recognize property owners

Warren’s Street Landscape Committee wants to say thanks.

Plans to send cards to city property owners who are making improvements to their properties, or who consistently maintain them well, are moving forward. Terry Pearson developed a prototype of the thank you cards to show committee members on Tuesday.

Not meant to replace the city beautification awards, for which committee members are now gathering nominations, the thank you cards are in addition to an overall campaign to motivate property owners throughout the city to do their part in adding to the aesthetic value of the Warren community.

Committee member Mark Eberl suggested that a trial run be made with the cards for this year, and if it’s well-received then the committee may want to look into approaching local businesses about sponsoring the cards in exchange for their logo being printed on them in following years.

“I think it sends the message that it takes all of us,” said Eberl, to make the community beautiful. Eberl said he also liked the idea of handing the cards to people in person as opposed to mailing them. Not only would it save on postage, said Eberl, but “I like the idea of catching a person doing it and saying hey, you’re being recognized.”

Committee member Mark Davis moved that a batch of cards be made up and given to committee members and that it be left up to members whether to deliver the cards in person, either when they see a property owner doing work outside or by knocking on the door, or to mail them. The committee will brainstorm companies to approach for next year if the idea to seek corporate sponsorship is decided on.

The bird viewing platform on Pennsylvania’s west end is a go, according to Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz. The project required a change order – a few minor adjustments to the design of the structure – that Holtz said would save some money on it but that held up the process for a bit. It’s signed off now, though, and Holtz told the committee “you might see some action on it” by as early as next week.

Planning Director David Hildebrand said that application for a grant from DCNR has been submitted that would get the county $300,000 to finish the Crescent Park trail from the Hickory Street bridge all the way to the healing garden project at the Warren Cancer Center. “We won’t hear back on that until about November or December,” said Hildebrand. The trail project seeks to widen the trail from four to seven feet and light the entirety of it, in addition to general trail improvements and completion of the healing garden. “We want to enhance what’s there,” said Hildebrand.

Davis mentioned to the group that now is a good time to start looking for volunteers for fall planting. “It will be here before we know it,” said Davis. Holtz added that it’s a “feast or famine” situation when it comes to volunteers willing to help with seasonal planting throughout the city. The hope, he said, is that there would be plenty this fall. Anyone interested in participating in fall planting should contact the Department of Public Works at (814) 723-6300.

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