Greensburg residents lay out pros, cons to planners as update to city development plan starts

Greensburg planners and consultants listened to suggestions from residents Saturday to clear residential blight, improve playgrounds, repair sidewalks, restore old homes and expand downtown redevelopment in round one of an effort to update the city’s 14-year-old development plan.

“I think the city could clean up a little better. I know the fire (in 2019) at the public works garage destroyed the street sweeper, but they should be able to do a better job,” said Michael Campbell, who has lived in the city for 32 years.

Campbell was among about a dozen residents who spoke in person with planners and consultants from Pittsburgh-based Environmental Planning and Design on what improvements they would like city leaders to pursue.

They gave their comments during a morning session at Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department Hose Company No. 6 at 542 W. Otterman Street.

In addition to saying what areas may need improvement, residents also could fill out Post-it notes marking areas they like about the neighborhoods.

Campbell was quick to laud the city’s police department.

“If you would call the police department, I’d say there’s a good chance an officer would be pulling up to your door before you hang up the phone,” the Mechling Way resident said.

Corey Block of Spring Avenue also was glad to have the opportunity to participate. Block, who works at the courthouse in the county planning department, doesn’t own a car. She walks to work every day.

“Greensburg’s among the most walkable communities in the county. But, like most communities, there is some room for improvement … I believe,” she said.

“I heard one person remark that, for able-bodied people, you’re able to get around the problem areas. But for some people with special needs, that may be difficult in some areas because of sidewalk conditions,” Block said.

Block also would like to see improvements move forward at the Spring Avenue Park playground in the 5th Ward.

Nathan and Kathleen Anderson, who along with their five daughters, ages 4 to 13, moved in 2020 into the city’s well- known Jamison House also provided input. The Andersons’ home was built about 1900 by T.S. Jamison, the son of the founder of the Jamison Coal and Coke Co.

“There are so many nice, old homes in the city that could be restored,” Kathleen Anderson said.

“We’d like to see families of two or three people, instead of looking and moving into homes in Hempfield, to be able to settle into homes in the city if these old homes could be renovated,” Nathan Anderson said.

Like Block, the Andersons also want to see “child friendly” activities in the city expanded and particularly playground improvements such as making the Spring Avenue Park playground accessible to children with special needs.

Lydia Kinkaid, the city’s recreation program manager, noted that more than $300,000 in improvements are planned for the playground through a federal Community Development Block Grant award. She said the city is pursuing funding revenues for the second phase as the project is being designed.

“It will be a whole new playground in there, including special needs access,” she said.

She said city officials are hopeful construction can begin this fall.

In addition to the public input received for residents who live in the western end of the city, at Hose Company No. 6, planning sessions also were held Saturday afternoon for residents on the east side at Hose Company No. 7 at 625 East Pittsburgh St. and the north side at Hose Company No. 1 on McLaughlin Drive.

“Today, we’re basically just starting the conversation toward developing the plan. We’re gathering input on what people think is working and things they feel need more work,” said A.J. Schwartz, operations manager with Environmental Planning and Design.

Carolyn Yagle, Environmental Planning’s company manager, pointed out that if residents wanting to comment missed out on Saturday’s sessions, they are invited to attend sessions at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Westmoreland Bar Association at 100 N. Maple Avenue that is designed for residents living in the downtown area and 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Westmoreland Museum of American Art, 221 N. Main St.

“People can also comment on the website set up for this project at shapegreensburg.com,” Yagle said.

Christian Umbach, a planner at Environmental Planning, said city officials are hoping to work on developing a draft plan based on input gathered during additional public gatherings over the summer and have the city adopt a new plan by the end of 2022.