MDI leader lauds success of ’07 Boardwalk Night
BY LESLIE RICHARDSON
07/12/2007
MAHANOY CITY — The community’s June 30 Boardwalk
Night 2007 was a success, which pleased James Rhoades Jr.
The president of the Mahanoy Downtown Inc. revitalization
group thanked everyone who supported the event, during Wednesday night’s
meeting.
However, a lack of volunteers has Rhoades and other
MDI members a little worn out. They are trying to think of ways to
get more people interested in the downtown revitalization efforts.
“We had two business mixers and people said they
were interested but no one shows up at the meetings,” Rhoades
said.
The group meets at 6 p.m. the second Wednesday of each
month on the third floor of the Mahanoy Area Downtown Center, Centre
and Main streets.
Focusing on revitalizing the downtown area, the group
is involved in fundraising, planning, design and other efforts in
conjunction with umbrella northern Schuylkill revitalization group
Upper Schuylkill Downtowns.
Also during Wednesday’s meeting, members talking
about the possibility of taking over the former Teen Canteen building
on East Centre Street.
The borough owns the building and after a pending sale
fell through, is looking for someone to take responsibility for upkeep
and to put the structure to good use.
If MDI were to take the site over, it could use the
building as a headquarters and also to to host community events inside.
The borough would lease the building to MDI for a nominal
fee.
However, before any decision is made, MDI members want
more information on expenses such as heating and electricity. They
also want information on whether the structure needs a new roof.
Rhoades said grant money may be available to fix the
roof.
“It is just something to think about,” Rhoades
said. “The offer is there.”
Borough Manager Jerry Teter said the borough council
agreed not to advertise the site for sale again until MDI makes up
its mind.
In other business, Upper Schuylkill Executive Director
Patrice Radar told MDI about the importance of getting back to the
basics.
“We need to get more people involved, get working
on the profile needed for the Main Street program and get ready for
downtown revitalization,” she said. “We need to sit down
and write down goals and objectives for the next five years.”
Radar showed the group commercials that will run regionally
on CNN, TNT and other TV networks advertising the Upper Schuylkill
Homecoming to be held Labor Day weekend.
For the event, each of the six participating Upper Schuylkill
boroughs will sponsor events, with the main focus again being the
ABA/Mummers Parade in Ashland.
Six commercials, one highlighting each borough, will
announce each event that will be held Labor Day weekend Friday through
Sunday.
© The REPUBLICAN & Herald
2007
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