Public meeting set for adoption of South Greensburg comprehensive plan

Swapping blight for beauty, including through public spaces and building improvements, is a key component for South Greensburg’s future.

So are better parks, improved recreation opportunities, restored infrastructure and a revamped and reimagined town center radiating from the intersection of Broad Street and Huff Avenue that draws visitors through arts, entertainment and dining venues.

All of this and more is part of a new comprehensive plan that has been in the works since summer and which borough council could vote to adopt May 13, following a 5 p.m. public hearing.

The plan is intended to serve as a blueprint to guide improvements over the next decade and address residents’ concerns. It was created through the work of borough and county officials with the help of a steering committee, public meetings and surveys of residents and businesses.

A draft plan is available at the borough building and online at southgreensburg.org/comprehensive -plan/. It examined South Greensburg’s existing makeup of residents, businesses and land use. It lists the community’s strengths and weaknesses, identifies top issues and potential solutions.

Blight, Broad Street, parks and recreation and infrastructure were listed as the major issues in the borough, said Brian Lawrence, deputy director of the Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development.

“The plan strategies are organized around those four critical issues,” he said.

Those strategies are:

• Eliminating blight by examining structures and ordinances and looking into housing rehabilitation possibilities. The community’s appearance could be improved through the beautification of public spaces and a facade improvement program under the plan.

• Maintaining and enhancing parks and recreation opportunities.

• Improve the appearance of Broad Street and its intersection with Huff Avenue and provide opportunities for people to gravitate toward the borough’s main thoroughfare.

• Improve communication with residents and others who live outside the borough.

The plan cost $20,000 and was completed by county planners under the Technical Resources and Municipal Services Program.