Another Traffic Change on the Way
By ANNE HOLLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Get ready for another traffic change in downtown Bradford.
An ordinance to make Kennedy Street one-way from Boylston Street to Main Street was approved on first reading by city council Tuesday night. Traffic would flow toward Main Street.
Mayor Tom Riel explained that a parking space would be removed from Main Street so people turning onto Main from Kennedy would have a better view.
Also, council approved on first reading an ordinance that would allow parking on both side of Kennedy Street from Boylston to Main.
The measures are in response to concerns from Kennedy Street business owners. If approved on second reading, both ordinances would go into effect on October 4.
Councilman Rick Benton voted against the proposed ordinances because of the “terrible sight problem.”
“I hope one parking space will take care of it,” he said.
Also Tuesday, council agreed to execute an agreement with Rudy Gobin to buy 19-23 Pine Street for $50,000, pending approval of a state grant application or the securing of other funding.
The Building a Better Bradford Master Plan calls for revitalization of Pine Street and the west end of Main Street by developing second and third floors for residential living, redeveloping the waterfront area; and improving the street amenities to encourage new private investment.
The city will be submitting a grant application to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $250,000 to help with the activities planned for that area. With the grant money, the city would tear down 19-23 Pine, and put in a new parking lot to support redevelopment and expansion of new and existing businesses.
In other downtown matters, council approved façade improvement grants to Susan Godfrey, owner of the Fran Charles Dress Shop on Congress Street, and Melissa Smith, owner of the Hot Spot on South Avenue. Council also approved a certificate of appropriateness for Michael Fitzpatrick to install awnings on the front and side of 101 Main Street, and to install accent lighting and change the color of the façade of the building to “Georgia Brick.” A certificate of appropriateness was also approved for Lisa Duke, owner of Lisa’s Hairport on Main Street, to install four double hung windows and two picture windows on the second floor of 104 Main Street. And, a certificate of appropriateness was approved for Tony Siliano, tenant at 21 Main Street, granting him permission to use a sign for Real Living Avista Properties.
In other matters, Bradford resident Brad Mangel updated council on his ongoing communications with Atlantic Broadband about the quality of their signal concerning the channels from Buffalo, New York.
He said he received a handwritten note from Atlantic Broadband CEO David Keefe, who said the company is looking into a way to resolve the problem.
City Clerk John Peterson said he heard from Mike Papasergi, local general manager for Atlantic Broadband, who also said the company is looking into ways to solve the problem.
Papasergi said it appears the only solution would be fiber optic cables from Buffalo to Bradford, according to Peterson. Because this would be costly, Atlantic Broadband is attempting to work with third party suppliers.
Papasergi’s letter to Peterson said he “remains optimistic that discussions regarding this process are proceeding in a favorable direction.”
He said he understands viewers’ frustrations, adding that Atlantic Broadband is frustrated because of their inability to correct the problem. He added that the company is committed to finding a solution.
In a work session before the regular meeting, council discussed the proposals from the consulting firms that would potentially work with the city in regard to the state’s Early Intervention Program for financially troubled municipalities.
A committee reviewed proposals from six firms and the top two were clear cut choices. The question council dealt with during the work session was whether they should call the two firms back for interviews. They did decide to bring the top two back.
Peterson said he talked with Harry Krott from DCED, who said final funding decisions wouldn’t be made at least until the Legislature returns to Harrisburg on September 14.
Krott did say, however, that the grant process can start now and be revised if necessary after the final decision on a consulting firm is made.
And, after a brief hiatus:
The Bedroom's the Best of All
WESB/WBRR News Director
Get ready for another traffic change in downtown Bradford.
An ordinance to make Kennedy Street one-way from Boylston Street to Main Street was approved on first reading by city council Tuesday night. Traffic would flow toward Main Street.
Mayor Tom Riel explained that a parking space would be removed from Main Street so people turning onto Main from Kennedy would have a better view.
Also, council approved on first reading an ordinance that would allow parking on both side of Kennedy Street from Boylston to Main.
The measures are in response to concerns from Kennedy Street business owners. If approved on second reading, both ordinances would go into effect on October 4.
Councilman Rick Benton voted against the proposed ordinances because of the “terrible sight problem.”
“I hope one parking space will take care of it,” he said.
Also Tuesday, council agreed to execute an agreement with Rudy Gobin to buy 19-23 Pine Street for $50,000, pending approval of a state grant application or the securing of other funding.
The Building a Better Bradford Master Plan calls for revitalization of Pine Street and the west end of Main Street by developing second and third floors for residential living, redeveloping the waterfront area; and improving the street amenities to encourage new private investment.
The city will be submitting a grant application to the state Department of Community and Economic Development for $250,000 to help with the activities planned for that area. With the grant money, the city would tear down 19-23 Pine, and put in a new parking lot to support redevelopment and expansion of new and existing businesses.
In other downtown matters, council approved façade improvement grants to Susan Godfrey, owner of the Fran Charles Dress Shop on Congress Street, and Melissa Smith, owner of the Hot Spot on South Avenue. Council also approved a certificate of appropriateness for Michael Fitzpatrick to install awnings on the front and side of 101 Main Street, and to install accent lighting and change the color of the façade of the building to “Georgia Brick.” A certificate of appropriateness was also approved for Lisa Duke, owner of Lisa’s Hairport on Main Street, to install four double hung windows and two picture windows on the second floor of 104 Main Street. And, a certificate of appropriateness was approved for Tony Siliano, tenant at 21 Main Street, granting him permission to use a sign for Real Living Avista Properties.
In other matters, Bradford resident Brad Mangel updated council on his ongoing communications with Atlantic Broadband about the quality of their signal concerning the channels from Buffalo, New York.
He said he received a handwritten note from Atlantic Broadband CEO David Keefe, who said the company is looking into a way to resolve the problem.
City Clerk John Peterson said he heard from Mike Papasergi, local general manager for Atlantic Broadband, who also said the company is looking into ways to solve the problem.
Papasergi said it appears the only solution would be fiber optic cables from Buffalo to Bradford, according to Peterson. Because this would be costly, Atlantic Broadband is attempting to work with third party suppliers.
Papasergi’s letter to Peterson said he “remains optimistic that discussions regarding this process are proceeding in a favorable direction.”
He said he understands viewers’ frustrations, adding that Atlantic Broadband is frustrated because of their inability to correct the problem. He added that the company is committed to finding a solution.
In a work session before the regular meeting, council discussed the proposals from the consulting firms that would potentially work with the city in regard to the state’s Early Intervention Program for financially troubled municipalities.
A committee reviewed proposals from six firms and the top two were clear cut choices. The question council dealt with during the work session was whether they should call the two firms back for interviews. They did decide to bring the top two back.
Peterson said he talked with Harry Krott from DCED, who said final funding decisions wouldn’t be made at least until the Legislature returns to Harrisburg on September 14.
Krott did say, however, that the grant process can start now and be revised if necessary after the final decision on a consulting firm is made.
And, after a brief hiatus:
The Bedroom's the Best of All
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