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Crafton staff seeks priorities for $325,000 state multimodal grant to fund downtown aesthetic and safety items
Summary
Crafton Borough staff asked the Planning Commission to prioritize purchases and locations for a $325,000 State Multimodal grant aimed at downtown aesthetic and safety improvements, with staff to return with mapped options and price scenarios.
Borough staff told the Planning Commission the Crafton Bureau has been awarded $325,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for downtown aesthetic improvements and asked commissioners to prioritize potential purchases and locations.
Jay (bureau staff) explained the grant was smaller than the $3 million concept submitted and that the project area was scoped to concentrate investment where it will be most visible and functional. He presented typical cost examples pulled into the grant: trash cans roughly $750 each, bike racks about $500 (more for custom styles), sidewalk planters $400 plus soil and maintenance, and decorative street fixtures (rough estimate ~$7,000 each plus installation). Jay noted string lights are relatively inexpensive. He said Gateway Engineers and public‑works capacity are factors for installation and maintenance decisions.
Commissioners and business‑committee members who spoke said business owners strongly favor functional amenities—trash cans and bike racks—along with lighting and planters where maintenance is feasible. One commissioner emphasized pedestrian safety as a top priority tied to walkability and foot traffic for businesses. Staff flagged that some maintenance costs could be a recurring municipal obligation and suggested staff, public works and the infrastructure committee should advise on ongoing upkeep before final selections.
Staff will prepare a set of mapped options showing what could be procured and where, within the $325,000 budget; they also said there may be an additional roughly $120,000 from a Local Share Account (LSA) related to the Crafton Boulevard project if state approval to reallocate funds is granted. The commission endorsed staff drafting concrete options for a future meeting and encouraged further public comment prior to final selections. Staff also noted a business‑owner mixer is planned for June to coordinate outreach and promotion of a business directory.
