Dear Friends and Neighbors,
On behalf of Council, I wish all of the residents in Lansdowne Borough a Happy Thanksgiving! And, we wish a joyous holiday season this December as so many of our residents join together with families, friends, and neighbors in celebration.
As we end the year, our community has many accomplishments to celebrate and more successes to look forward to next year. Long term dreams of the community have become reality and long term visions turned into projects.
Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation
As we end the year, Lansdowne Borough Council celebrates and supports the additional funding received by the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation from the State and County. Over the past year, Lansdowne Borough Council supported the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation in securing the funding from the County, State, and Federal Government to begin building in the Spring of 2023. We join the theater board and the community in expressing gratitude to U. S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, U. S. Senator Bob Casey, State Senator Tim Kearney, State Representative Gina Hackett Curry, and County Council for dedicating millions of dollars to the project.
This funding, joined with the already Borough secured RACP (Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program) grant and DCED (Department of Community and Economic Development) Blight Remediation Grant, closes the gap for the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation. At the November 16th meeting, Lansdowne Borough Council voted to forgive $29,000 in staging easement fees for use of the Highland Avenue Lot to assist the Theater in moving the project forward. At the December 7th meeting, Lansdowne Borough Council will consider the forgiveness of $150,000 in future permitting fees for the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation to match $500,000 in additional ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds from the County Council and $350,000 funds in additional RACP funding.
Congratulations to Matt Schultz, Director of the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation, and the entire Board on the hard work this year to bring this project to the next stage! Lansdowne Borough Council looks forward to working with the Theater in bringing this long term dream into a reality.
Gateway Slope:
On April 6th, Lansdowne Borough Council held a dedication ceremony to recognize the work of former Borough Council President Norman “Marty Council” and his vision to work with Council and other community advocates to purchase the corner of Scottdale Road and Baltimore Pike for the construction of Gateway Park into the Borough of Lansdowne. This fall, Gateway Slope Park was completed not only as a visually appealing Greenspace into Lansdowne, but also as an accessible walkway for residents to access the walkway in Hoffman Park.
On November 18th, the last piece of the Gateway Slope was put into place. The boulder bearing the plaque dedicated to Norman “Marty Council” was installed at the base of the steps at Gateway Slope. See photos here.
Tot Lot on McKinley Avenue:
On December 3rd at 12:00, Lansdowne Borough Council invites the residents of Lansdowne to join Mayor Magda Byrne, Lansdowne Borough Council, invited elected officials, and members of the Parks and Recreation Board in opening the Tot Lot. The McKinley Tot Lot is paid for with a grant from the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources for $138,900 for the McKinley Lot Playground Plan. Combined with the award of $195,000 from the Community Development and Building Grant to the development of McKinley Lot Tot Playground, this allowed Lansdowne Borough the ability to build the park. See photos of the Tot Lot here.
The park provides a space for younger members of the community to play in an enclosed, safe place with play equipment designed for younger children. We hope the families in Lansdowne enjoy the space and join us on December 3rd for the opening.
Finance/ Administration:
Lansdowne Borough Council continues to work on the budget for 2023. On November 30th, Lansdowne Borough Council will hold a Special Meeting to discuss the budget for 2023.
Lansdowne Borough Council is also discussing the possibility of creating a position of Assistant Borough Manager. In December, we will be reviewing the job description and budget considerations.
Currently, Council is projecting a budget with no tax increases while retaining the quality services throughout our departments and continued investments in our parks and infrastructure.
Infrastructure:
Lansdowne Borough Council is currently working to implement new street signs throughout Lansdowne that provide neon visibility at night.
Bicycle Facilities:
The development of the Bicycle Facilities Plan is near completion. Currently, all of the segments are completely painted except for the segment connecting Greenwood Avenue to Burmont Road and Scottdale Road.
Ultimately, members of Lansdowne Borough Council are working with our Mayor to ensure that Lansdowne is a green place to grow in with pedestrian and bike friendly pathways throughout the town.
New Council Appointment:
At the November 16th meeting, Lansdowne Borough Council voted to appoint William Griffin to Lansdowne Borough Council to complete the recently vacated position. Lansdowne Borough Council looks forward to the future work of William Griffin. Council also extends its gratitude to the members of the community who put their names into the running for the appointment.
Lansdowne Borough continues to plan for the future, complete the present projects, and preserve the best of our past. We are building the green gathering spaces, art places, for all of the faces in our community.
Upcoming Events in our Community:
November 25-26: A Bit of the Arts at the 20th Century Club.
November 30: Special Meeting of Lansdowne Borough Council at Borough Hall. 7:00.
December 3: Opening of the Tot Lot, McKinley and Wycombe Avenue. 12:00 noon.
December 3. LBPA Winter Parade and Night Market. 6:00
December 7: Lansdowne Borough Council Meeting: 7:00
December 9: Winter Stories: Lansdowne Arts Board at the 2020 House. 6:00
December 17: Ruby Reindeer: Lansdowne Public Library. 2:30
December 21: Lansdowne Borough Council Meeting. 7:00
To all of my friends and neighbors, I hope to see you around the town. Happy Thanksgiving! Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Benjamin Hover
President
Lansdowne Borough Council