Action Plan
Goal 1: Make downtown a center of community activity, including a variety of retail businesses, activities and special events
Key responsibility: Community Development Committee
Improve the visual appeal of downtownSupport Boomtown’s beautification efforts by providing Borough equipment and labor as needed
Improve and beautify Borough-owned properties and infrastructure downtown
Create programs and incentives to encourage and acknowledge beautification efforts by downtown tenants and property owners, coordinating with Boomtown and other community efforts
Seek funding for micro-loans, façade improvements, sidewalk repairs and other programs to support beautification efforts
Hold more special events to attract visitors to downtown.
Support efforts of community groups such as Boomtown and ReInvision Huntingdon by providing Borough equipment, labor and police
Advocate for downtown business development with Huntingdon County Chamber, Huntingdon County Business & Industry, county government and other organizations
Promote empty buildings as potential business sites
Consider a designated Borough representative to the Chamber, HCBI and other organizations
Create a ‘welcome packet’ of information about downtown Huntingdon for potential businesses
Actively participate in recognizing new businesses with ribbon-cuttings, news articles, Council proclamations, etc.
Collaborate with Juniata College and the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership to create downtown opportunities
Consider becoming a Main Street Community.
Work with the Huntingdon County Planning Office to explore opportunities and eligibility for the Main Street program.
Identify challenges such as sustainability and funding, and develop strategies to address them.
Goal 2: Improve property maintenance, especially for residential properties
Key responsibility: Public Safety Committee
Address code enforcement issues on private properties
Enforce existing ordinances. Set a goal for the number of properties to bring into compliance each year.
Maintain and update existing inventory of non-complying properties
Seek funding to offer financial incentives for property improvements
Consider revising ordinances to create stronger penalties for non-compliance and to address blighted properties
Publicly acknowledge improvements to properties
Address internal and external maintenance issues on residential rental properties through a rental licensing and inspection program
Create and maintain a list of landlords who offer properties for rent in the Borough
Work with Juniata College to identify issues with off-campus student housing
Adopt and implement a rental licensing and inspection program that is self-funded through license fees
Goal 3: Provide opportunities to improve health and wellness for residents and visitors to the Borough
Key responsibility: Parks and Recreation Committee
Provide more Borough-sponsored recreational activities and opportunities
Empower Recreation Commission to recommend recreational programs and activities desired by the community
Implement new recreational programs and activities
Where possible, increase accessibility to parks and playgrounds for all citizens
Identify funding strategies to improve parks
Increase opportunities for walking and bicycling throughout Huntingdon Borough
Improve bicycle safety on Borough streets with bike lanes, signs, road markings or other strategies
Identify and implement safe bike route between downtown Huntingdon and Juniata College
Consider development of additional trails within Huntingdon, or that connect Huntingdon with regional trails
Goal 4: Improve public infrastructure through coordinated planning
Key responsibility: Borough Council
Where possible, develop a coordinated plan for infrastructure improvements that addresses water, sewer, stormwater, street repair and repaving, curbs and sidewalks, bicycle and pedestrian routes, street lighting, trees and other infrastructure.
Identify specific blocks or areas of the Borough where significant improvements (water, sewer, streets) are required
Use Council committees to identify needs within the targeted areas
Work with others such as Walk Huntingdon to coordinate the addition of community amenities to the targeted areas
Develop a five-year capital improvements plan addressing all major public infrastructure
Create an inventory of all Borough-owned infrastructure and a projected schedule of repairs or replacement
Create a 5-year plan of priority projects and identify funding for each project
Update the plan annually
