Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Summer is upon us and on behalf of Council I wish everyone a happy and beautiful summer. The spring has been productive and this summer, Lansdowne Borough will continue to build on the successes of the spring.
Over the past months and in the coming weeks, Lansdowne Borough Council continues to work with community groups to celebrate the diversity and community of our wonderful Borough.
On behalf of all of Council, I want to thank the many volunteers, donors, officials, and employees who have worked towards building and strengthening the community bonds in Lansdowne.
Economic Development:
Lansdowne Borough continues to attract new businesses and works towards the development of our business districts, neighborhoods, and quality of life in Lansdowne. The Farmer’s Market is once again open and thriving in the Lansdowne Avenue parking lot every Saturday from 9:00-1:00. A coffee shop, Camellia Coffee Shop, will be opening soon at 20 North Lansdowne Avenue. And Lansdowne Borough Council featured Tay’s Donuts, a new online Donut shop that recently opened in Lansdowne. Lansdowne Borough Council voted to support the acquisition of a Liquor License for Room 55, a sit down restaurant and banquet space at 55 East Baltimore Avenue.
With the addition of new businesses, the expansion of current businesses, and the continued progress at the Lansdowne Theater, Lansdowne’s downtown is on the move.
Lansdowne Borough Council has continued our commitment to work with the Lansdowne Economic Development Corporation to create a contract that provides $50,000 to support the endeavors and programming of the Economic Development Corporation including work with the downtown businesses for collaborative plannings and a Farmer’s Market Agreement that allows for rent free space on Saturdays throughout the Summer.
Comprehensive Plan Updates:
After the work over the past four months of the Lansdowne Borough Council Steering Committee, Lansdowne Borough hosted an open house at the 20th Century Club on June 16th to allow for public feedback on the current drafts to the Comprehensive Plan. The meeting was well attended and the feedback along with the comments on the survey will be used to revise the plan. See survey link here to add additional comments.
Project Updates:
Veteran’s Parkway:
Lansdowne Borough Council voted to award NV5 Design the contract to develop the building plan and engineering work to develop Veteran’s Parkway. In Phase 2 of the Engineering plan with NV5 design, the Parks and Recreation Board will have the ability to provide input on the plantings and furniture design,—all subject to Council approval.
Please find the revised plan passed unanimously by Council, HERE.
McKinley Avenue Tot Lot:
Lansdowne Borough Council is pleased to report that the work on McKinley Tot Lot continues unabated. The next steps will be to install the equipment. Special Thanks to Councilmember Carol Martsolf for her in-depth and engaging Tot Lot notes.
Hays Park:
On June 25th, please join Mayor Byrne, Council President Hover, and members of the Environmental Advisory Council to discuss the imminent installation of Solar Tables, possible ideas of fitness equipment, and an event hosted in August by the Environmental Advisory Council, Food and Our Planet. See more information HERE
Community Events:
On May 30th, the American Legion hosted the Memorial Day Parade and Lansdowne Borough joined the Legion in placing wreaths at the Memorials for all of the fallen Lansdowne residents who sacrificed all for our country. See pictures HERE.
On June 4th, Lansdowne Borough Council, Representative Gina Hackett Curry and State Senator Tim Kearney joined with members of the community to raise the Pride flag on Borough Greene. Special thanks to Bill Horton and Jennifer Hoff from Lansdowne Pride for joining the flag raising and coordinating the Pride Walk on June 12th. See pictures here.
On June 14th, the Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a beautiful Flag Day Ceremony. Thank you for the many community organizations who supported Flag Day to honor the Flag and the Republic for which it stands. See pictures here.
On June 18th, Lansdowne Borough celebrated the Juneteenth weekend with a Flag Raising Ceremony and Community Celebration. Thank you to Councilmember Kellie Bowker and community volunteers Jessica Pointer and Lisa Nelson-Haynes for organizing the events. Also, a special thanks to all of the community volunteers and local businesses for supporting the events.
Upcoming Events:
Please mark your calendars.
There are a number of great events coming up hosted by Lansdowne Borough or community organizations:
- On June 25th, from 9:00-1:00, Lansdowne Borough will collaborate with East Lansdowne Borough on a shredding event. Also, Lansdowne Borough will host a food drive with the Interfaith Food cupboard. The event will occur at the Highland Avenue Lot. See more information HERE.
- On June 25th, there will be a community meeting with residents at Hays Park to discuss the new solar tables being installed in the park, the possibility of new exercise equipment, and the Environmental Advisory Council will discuss their goals with residents as well. (See Flyer)
- On July 3rd, please join Mayor Magda’s Green Team in for the neighborhood clean up from 11:00-1:00 meeting at the Great War Monument at Penn Wood High. Learn more here.
- On the 4th of July, Lansdowne Borough will host the 4th of July Parade with the theme of “Growing Together Again.” All community organizations are invited to join the parade. (See More Information HERE)
We invite all residents who are interested in participating in local government to view the Boards and Commissions page to view the possibilities. (see the link HERE) We also invite residents to attend the meeting of the Boards, Commissions, Council Committee meetings, and Borough Council meetings. Sign up for the newsletter and feel free to reach out to the Mayor or Councilmembers with any questions or concerns.
Hope to see you around town or at any of the many community events.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Hover