November brings open bids for Youngsville’s Fairmont Plaza
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YOUNGSVILLE – Bidding for the Fairmont Plaza community project will open on November 2, according to a joint development update shared by Revitalization of Youngsville (ROY) President John Papalia and county grant writer Josh Cotton.
The ROY group is an all-volunteer-driven organization with the primary focus of community and economic development in the Brokenstraw Valley.
"Like most organizations, it doesn’t run without people, and you know we’re not a huge group by any means, but we have great individuals in the organization that have Youngsville at its heart and are driven and want to do good, do work right," Papalia said. "So, nothing happens without the strength of the team, and I’ve got a really great one."
In 2023, ROY partnered with Youngsville Borough, splitting costs to have a community downtown master plan developed. Finding ways to focus on what can be accomplished in the downtown area now is part of a plan that can then expand outward over time. The understanding is that the downtown is the heartbeat of the community, and improving it will in turn work outward into other parts.
The master plan was created nearly three years ago and out of that plan came a variety of different goals, objectives, and outcomes – housing, blighted property, codes and regulation, and quality of life.
"I try to be goal oriented," Papalia explained. "If you’re going to have a plan developed, you should try to follow it and implement it, knowing that amongst the group and partners each person or entity brings different strengths."
One of the larger action items within the plan was to work towards the development of a community space and plaza for people to gather. Additionally, the plan identified lots for repurposing. One of the locations identified was the corner lot at 118 E. Main Street, where the Fairmont building has been located for 150 years. The Inn dated to the 1850s and was the oldest building in the borough.
When the opportunity to purchase the building came about, ROY bought the building. At that time, it was identified that it would be an ideal spot for a downtown gathering space. The group has worked in phases to get to the point of being prepared to send the work to bid. These phases included securing the location, the demolition process, designing the plaza and fundraising.
"I will tell you we were truly blessed with the amount of support that we have received for this project," Papalia noted. "It simply wouldn't be possible without the generosity of both the private and public sectors who have provided financial support and in-kind assistance. The Richard T. Betts Foundation supporting us in a humongous way, the Community Foundation of Warren County, the Defrees Family Memorial Fund, the Brokenstraw Valley Fund, the Youngsville Borough and Warren County."
A Pennsylvania DCNR C2P2 grant for $100,000 is also part of the project's funding.
"We are a fully funded project, ready to go," Papalia said. "In addition to that, some of those supporters have made commitments long term to help us with the next phases of the master plan as we finish this off and move forward. So, a real investment in the Youngsville community," said Papalia.
From conceptual drawings to final design, it has taken about a year. The project goes out for construction bids on Nov. 2.
"We’re talking at this point about actually putting in the contract documents so that they will be done by May 15, in order to have a Memorial Day kickoff event take place," Cotton said.
"Getting to where we’re at right now and ready to put this out to bid, and knowing we’re going to have this up and running by spring or early summer of next year is really encouraging," Papalia added. "We are so excited to have it done and feel it is a true testament of the good that can happen when people, organizations, private and public entities all come together for the greater good of a community."
"It’s an honor to be the president of Revitalization of Youngsville, but so much credit goes to the team that I get to lead. All has been possible because of the various partnerships formed, all who came to the table because they believed in the plan, they believed in the mission, and they know ultimately, it will help Youngsville. Many of these supporters are committing to multiple years of support to help drive projects and change in the future."
In addition, Papalia commented, "It really beautifies and brings activity into our downtown, which ultimately flows to our businesses. It builds better quality of life for our residents, making Youngsville a more desirable place to live, to work, and more," he added.
The Fairmount Plaza will serve as a multi-purpose venue for things such as the opportunity to have music at the park type events, and more.
"The way I see this is a way to cross promote," Papalia explained. "Working with partners and how do we help each other out? Start moving traffic around the community, you know, maybe it helps as a whole."
He also suggested that visitors would be more likely to explore other parts of the county.
"As we move forward, making sure we align with our key partners and cross promote other activities throughout Warren County strategically will be a big piece of what we accomplish in the future."
Looking down the line to see what the next project after this could be, Papalia reiterated that none of it happens without input and effort from the community.
"A project like this, in my mind, just makes Youngsville a nicer place to live." Cotton added, "It's a big step forward because that building’s been a problem for many, many decades."
"If we have some small part in building Warren County up, that's a wonderful thing," said Papalia.