With all the recent publicity about the new Lancaster Convention Center, there has been some concern that putting such a huge $170 Million project in the middle of downtown, without making concurrent improvements in the overall environment, might not be the best recipe for long term success. Political uncertainty about whether the Convention Center and hotel would ever actually be built put other plans on the back burner. Now new retailers will have to be brought into the area; more police will be needed to provide a safe environment. Simple things like neglected trash cans and lamp posts with peeling paint can make an area look rundown - or, conversely, if upgraded, can totally change the atmosphere of a neighborhood.
The James Street Improvement District has been making such improvements in the Northwest quadrant of the City for five years. New construction on Harrisburg Avenue is bringing in new retailers and office space near Franklin & Marshall College. Now the JSID is planning to expand into the downtown area, at the request of Mayor Gray, to join forces with the Downtown Investment District, helping downtown Lancaster get ready for the massive improvements that are planned.
Mayor Rick Gray plans to use some of the funds made available by Lancaster General Hospital, to increase police patrols. LGH has increased their annual in-lieu-of-taxes donation to the city from $300,000 to $1.2 Million. Another $90,000 was raised by a levy on downtown businesses. And the city is working to lure retailers and businesses back downtown.
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