Guthrie Supports Sayre Revitalization Initiative
In just one year, the Sayre Revitalization Coalition has made great strides in helping to make the community a more vibrant one. The coalition represents all aspects of the community. Its members are residents, employers, business owners, borough officials, and county officials all working together toward a common goal of making Sayre a better place to live and work.
Chris Brown, Central Bradford Progress Authority said, “The coalition is working diligently with the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development to be designated a Main Street and Elm Street defined community. Main Street is a comprehensive, community-based approach to revitalizing downtowns and central business districts, which has been applied across the United States since the early '80s. Elm Street focuses on the revitalization of Pennsylvania's older residential areas bordering Main Streets and central business districts. These designations will assist us in our funding and planning efforts in bringing to life our vision for the downtown area.”
In addition to working with multiple agencies to develop a plan for a reimagined downtown, the coalition has used input from the community to put its plan into action. A recent survey, taken by nearly 1,000 people, asked those who live and work in Sayre for input on the changes they would like to see. The results of the survey indicated room for improvement in a number of different categories including the downtown area, parking and housing. The coalition is using this feedback to give direction to work groups that will be formed to address these issues.
Frank Pinkosky, EVP, Chief Human Resource Officer at Guthrie and a member of the Sayre Revitalization Coalition said, “As one of the largest employers in the area and with a long-standing commitment to the communities we serve, Guthrie recognizes the important role it plays in supporting the process of creating a more vibrant, welcoming community.” He added, “Since its inception over 100 years ago, Guthrie has played a key role in establishing and strengthening the quality of life for this community, which is home to so many of our patients, physicians, staff, and their families. We are excited to support the Sayre Revitalization Initiative.”
In addition to administering the survey, the coalition helped to bring two new walking, biking and hiking trails to the area and worked with architects and engineers to help create a visual representation of what a revitalized downtown could look like. To see that video, visit https://vimeo.com/339092920.
The Sayre Revitalization Coalition continues to work towards the completion of a number of projects aimed at improving the quality of life in the community and has ambitious goals for 2020.
Jack Benjamin, Retired President, 3 Rivers Development Corporation, Corning, said, “Revitalization is a lifelong endeavor. Downtowns are the ‘face’ of a community and provide economic sustainability, if attention is paid to maintaining and reinvesting in its core structures. Sayre is positioned to be a great example of the 21st century living and working environment that attracts and retains residents. Its beautiful historic buildings, Guthrie’s corporate presence, and supportive government structure provide the economic base to support a long-lasting revitalization effort.”
Questions or inquiries about the Sayre Revitalization Initiative and its projects should be directed to Chris Brown, Central Bradford Progress Authority, at chris@cbprogress.org.
About the Sayre Revitalization Initiative (SRI):
SRI is a grassroots effort to revitalize downtown Sayre and enhance the surrounding community. Working to accomplish the goals of the SRI is a coalition of residents, employers, business owners, borough officials, and county officials working together toward a common goal of making Sayre a better place to live and work.
About Guthrie:
Guthrie is a non-profit integrated health system located in north central Pennsylvania and upstate New York, serving patients from a twelve-county service area. Guthrie is a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network and is the first health system based in Pennsylvania and New York to join this network. Guthrie is comprised of a research institute, home care/hospice, hospitals in Sayre, Pa., Corning, N.Y., Towanda, Pa., Troy, Pa. and Cortland, N.Y., as well as a multi-specialty group practice of more than 325 physicians and 210 advanced practice providers offering 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 22 communities in Pennsylvania and New York. In addition, Guthrie offers home medical equipment and respiratory therapy products at seven convenient Med Supply Depot locations. Guthrie provides a wide range of services and programs to enhance the health and well-being of those it serves.