Sunbury consultants present comprehensive plan as SRI outlines downtown projects and grants

Michelle Garner, a consultant with Gannett Fleming (now GSC), opened the public hearing by summarizing the comprehensive plan meant to guide Sunbury’s development and investment over the next decade. She said the plan was posted online over the summer, reviewed by the planning commission and is now before the council for public comment.

"Our company is now GSC," Garner said, outlining that tonight’s hearing is the advertised opportunity for residents to provide support, critique and questions that the council will fold into a future adoption decision. The consultant emphasized the plan’s role as a policy document rather than a project‑by‑project approval.

In a separate presentation, Jody of Sunbury Revitalization, Inc. (SRI) gave a year‑in‑review that cataloged partner contributions, recent capital work at the Albright Center and programming plans for downtown. Jody credited partners including UPMC and Wise Markets and noted support from the City of Sunbury and a business partner listed as JLL/JLO. She told council the organization received blueprint community grants (about $84,800 cited for training and projects) and additional funds from SRI community partners, totaling “over $100,000” routed through the program.

SRI said the Albright Center has new HVAC and a commercial kitchen, enabling more frequent rentals and events. The organization reported hiring a full‑time downtown manager, Sarah Bauer, and an AmeriCorps community events coordinator to help run programming. SRI announced a planned application for a Main Street designation in 2026 and described a recently contracted community gift‑card program (a $1,500, two‑year contract) intended to keep consumer spending in the 17801 ZIP code.

Jody described other projects in progress, including a Stroh Alley improvement project funded partly with a $10,000 Blueprint grant and up to $28,000 in CDBG funds approved by the city, and an early concept to adapt a former police station on Market Street into mixed‑use space and an anchor for the Main Street program. She said many projects remain conceptual and that SRI would continue to formalize roles between the downtown team and SRI, and to pursue fundraising and grant opportunities.

Why it matters: The comprehensive plan and SRI’s strategic work set priorities for downtown development, grant targeting and staffing that will guide council decisions on zoning, public spending and project approvals over the coming years. Councilmembers and staff can use public input from tonight’s hearing to adjust the plan before a formal adoption vote.

Next steps: The comprehensive plan will remain under council consideration for adoption at a future meeting. SRI said it will continue to implement downtown projects and pursue Main Street designation in 2026.