CORE OBJECTIVE 3: REPOSITION OUR TOWNS

REVITALIZING HISTORIC VANDERGRIFT – NEW BUSINESSES OPEN, OLMSTED COMMONS PARK PLANNED

When the father of landscape architecture in the US, Frederick Law Olmsted, planned Vandergrift in 1895, he envisioned a place where people could stroll down the gently curved, tree-lined streets, gather in the nature infused downtown, and browse local shops. Olmsted would be pleased to know that residents and visitors may still be found walking, gathering, and shopping in this historic model industry town today, thanks to recent revitalization efforts.

Identified as a goal in Reimagining Our Westmoreland, repositioning and investing in our towns is critical to their success and endurance into the future. By taking steps to ensure that our towns are attractive places for commerce, entertainment, living, and much more, we can be sure they not only continue as centers of civic life, but as hubs of tax generation needed to support our local communities. When it comes to Vandergrift’s rejuvenation, the support and guidance from local organizations like the Vandergrift Improvement Program and Vandergrift Business Association are making a difference.

Founded in 2004, the Vandergrift Improvement Program (VIP) is a Main Street Program dedicated to the protection, preservation, and restoration of the central business corridor and residential areas of the borough. Made up of a board of business-minded residents and local business owners, the nonprofit focuses on the organization, economic restructuring, promotion, design, and sustainability of the business district and beyond.

According to Marilee Kessler, VIP board member, realtor, and Vandergrift resident, the VIP has expanded its reach beyond the business district into the neighborhoods. “The VIP acts as a pivotal point for people who want to help make quality of life improvements to the community”, she said. “We recently received a grant to install decorative V-shaped installations on parking meters in town. They’re very pretty and also an homage to the steel industry”, said Kessler. From business recruitment and retention to main street and neighborhood improvements and special events, the VIP is helping strengthen Vandergrift.

Supporting local businesses is also a focus of the Vandergrift Business Association (VBA). With a mission to unify businesses to work towards a common goal of economic revitalization, the VBA works to assist local businesses through promotion, image building campaigns, advancing “Shop Local”, and special projects and events.

Composed of volunteers from the community, the VBA is known for organizing events like Gathering on Grant, which runs May through September on every third Thursday, where people can find food trucks, vendors, and music along Grant Avenue downtown.

Several business have set up shop in Vandergrift recently, contributing to the borough’s revitalization. Grant Ave Coffee Co. is one business that opened in 2022, filling in a formerly vacant storefront. Offering high quality coffee and tea, the coffee shop provides a gathering space for people to feel welcome and at home. When asked what it means to be a part of the revitalization of Vandergrift, co-owner Virginia Lindsay said, “It means a lot, it’s such an interesting place. When you meet people here, you can tell that they are invested in and proud of their town…and people here are big supporters of local business.”

New businesses aren’t the only thing contributing to the renewal of Vandergrift. Thanks to a partnership between the borough and the Westmoreland County Land Bank, a half-acre park called Olmsted Commons is planned for Washington Avenue downtown. Located near the historic Casino Theatre, the park will feature curved walkways, a gazebo, benches, rain gardens, and a permeable patio.

According to Marilee Kessler, who also serves on borough council and the committee overseeing the park project, the response from the public has been positive. The proposed site was recently home to several blighted structures that have since been demolished, so the park is a welcome addition to the borough’s downtown. Kessler shared that a larger version of the stylized V-shaped installations, that can be found on top of the parking meters in town, will be placed in a prominent location at Olmsted Commons.

The park project will be funded by a $151,000 grant from the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, along with in-kind services match from the borough. Olmsted Commons’ design and name is a nod to the borough’s original architect. Plans for the park are currently being finalized with construction planned to begin summer 2023.

“Vandergrift is a walkable, cohesive community that was well-designed from the beginning. We have a lot of good resources like the theater, library, and local businesses”, said Kessler. Once complete, Olmsted Commons will be an additional asset for residents and visitors.