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SRI outlines Think Sunbury plan; seeks city resolution, site‑control memo and grant support
Summary
Sunbury Revitalization Initiative presented a five‑year downtown plan, announced a June 20 'Think Sunbury' unveiling, and requested a city resolution for Main Street designation plus a site‑control memorandum so SRI can apply for a Neighborhood Assistance Program tax‑credit and other grants.
Representatives of the Sunbury Revitalization Initiative (SRI) presented the council with a five‑year downtown strategic plan and asked the city for several pieces of formal support tied to pending grants and designation applications.
Jody, speaking for SRI, said the group has collected 402 responses to a community perception survey (a 500‑response goal) and that plan priorities — increasing occupancy, preserving historic character and downtown housing — flow from community feedback. SRI noted it has hired a full‑time downtown manager with a grant from the Degenstein Foundation and plans a Main Street Matters designation application to the Pennsylvania Downtown Center and DCED.
SRI asked the city to provide a site‑control memorandum for Straw Alley (a neighborhood assistance tax‑credit application is due May 26) and to pass a council resolution affirming support and authorizing SRI to represent Sunbury during the Main Street designation process. The organization also described several projects and grants: a brownfield assessment for 440–442 Market Street (the former police station), a Think Sunbury marketing campaign (USDA Rural Business Development grant requested, roughly $20,000 for digital marketing and website services), an EPA community‑wide brownfields assessment application (reported at $5.5 million), and a potential USDOT Safe Streets planning grant (up to $400,000 with a 20% local match).
Jody asked council members to attend the sculpture unveiling and SRI 40th anniversary event on Saturday, June 20 at 4:00 p.m., and to consider recruiting city representation for a Downtown Development Working Group. No formal vote was taken; SRI requested the resolution and site‑control memorandum be placed on the next council meeting agenda so grant deadlines can be met.
"We are asking that a final copy be written on behalf of the city and be freshly voted on at the next council meeting," SRI said of the draft resolution, which requests financial and/or in‑kind support and authorizes SRI to represent the city during designation.
