 Elm Street District
Mission Statement
West Reading Elm Street
is a partnership of residents, business leaders and government
officials dedicated to revitalizing West Reading�s older neighborhoods
through community development programs that create new home owners,
modernize the housing stock, beautify the streetscape, improve safety
and involve volunteers.
Vision Statement
Ten Points will be a
neighborhood of choices and opportunities with a stable population of
proud, mixed-income residents living in well-maintained mostly
owner-occupied homes. Informed residents will be active in a variety of
activities that improve the quality of life in the community. It will
be attractive, safe, clean and within easy walking distance to a
vibrant cosmopolitan hub, recreational activities for all life stages,
regional cultural facilities, major employers and access to preserved
natural river parkland.
About West Reading
Elm Street
West Reading Elm Street
was created in 2005 and is one of twenty-seven Elm Street organizations
created by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic
Development to address issues of blight and crime in borderline
residential neighborhoods that surround Main Street business districts.
West Reading Elm Street works with a Neighborhood Advisory Committee
(NAC) made up of local residents to build on community assets and
mitigate liabilities by implementing a Five-Year Revitalization
strategy. Currently, Elm Street is working in the Ten Points
neighborhood in West Reading. We are an IRS 501(c)3 not-for-profit
organization.
What
Programs and Services does Elm Street Offer?
Elm Street programs and
services are offered only in the Ten Points neighborhood. Income and
other restrictions may apply.
- Elm Street Home Ownership
Program (ESHOP) is a down payment
assistance program providing up to 20% of the purchase price for those
buying in the Ten Points area. ESHOP is interest free and there are no
monthly payments as long as the owner lives in the property.
- Elm Street Property
Rehabilitation Program provides up to $20,000
to help homeowners and home buyers correct code violations, modernize
their homes and replace major systems such as roofs or heating systems.
The loan is interest free and there are no monthly payments as
long as the owner lives in the property. Principal is reduced 10%
a year so after ten years it becomes a grant.
- Elm Street Fa�ade
Improvement Program provides a grant up to
$3,000 for exterior improvements such as painting, new windows, and
landscaping.
- Tool-Lending Library offers �occasional�
tools for plumbing, landscaping, masonry, electrical and carpentry work
which Ten Points residents can borrow at no cost for minor repairs and
maintenance.
- Special Events are offered several
times a year such as neighborhood Block Parties, Halloween Decorating
Contests, and Holiday Get Together events to help build cohesiveness
and allow residents the opportunity to mingle and get to know one
another so they can work together to build a more civil society.
- Special Projects
such
as neighborhood clean-ups, landscaping, mural painting and planting
street flower containers are planned and conducted by various
sub-committees of the Elm Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC)
to beautify and improve the neighborhood.
- Street Improvements
are
recommended to Borough Council after the NAC conducts various studies
to document existing problems. Elm Street is able to leverage local
funds ten-to-one to repave streets, install new curbs and sidewalks,
upgrade street lights, plant trees, etc.
What are the Benefits of the Elm Street?
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Improved tax base as
property values increase.
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Improved physical
appearance.
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Health and safety are
enhanced.
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Homeownership
opportunities are created:
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Affordable housing is
created and maintained.
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Community becomes more
involved and able to address social issues.
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Increased use of local
products and services.
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Resources are targeted
for maximum effect.
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Promotes self-help
philosophy: Program is resident-led and locally controlled.
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Reduces risk factors for
insurance companies and financial institutions.
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Partnership interaction
between residents, government and business community
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Neighborhood Action Committee
Members
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Bryce Matthews,
Chair - Elm Street
Property Owner
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Aimee
Adams - Elm Street Resident
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Robin
Ambrosiani - Elm Street Resident
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Carl
Garman - Elm Street Resident
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Collette
A. Joyal - Elm Street Resident
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Jay
Kupiszewski - Elm Street Resident
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Brandy
Lorah - Elm Street Resident
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Suzanne Thompson
- Elm Street Resident
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John Woodward -
Third and
Spruce Caf�
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West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation Board
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Shane J. Keller, President - Mayor, Borough of West
Reading
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Mark Dougherty, Vice President - Penn Avenue Dental
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Robin Horman, Secretary - LiliBea's
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Margaret
M. Bligh, Treasurer - The Reading Hospital and Medical Center
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Richard Sichler, Borough Manager - Borough of West Reading
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Deborah Hutcheson - Charles Hutcheson
Fine Jewelry
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Rebecca
J. Doubek - Firefly on Penn
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Philip Wert - West Reading Borough
Council
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John C. Woodward - Third
& Spruce Cafe
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Neighborhood Action Committee Meeting
Schedule
Elm
Street Neighborhood Advisory Committee Meetings are held on the third
Thursday of each month at 6:30PM in the West Reading Borough Hall - 500
Chestnut Street
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Thursday,
December 20, 2012 |
District Map
Click on the map below to download a copy of
the Elm Street District Map. Requires
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
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