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Bright Times in Blairsville; The borough’s legacy beckons renewed life
Date: 3/1/2014
By John Moist Nestled comfortably in a crook of the Conemaugh River, Blairsville Borough, Indiana County sits atop history itself. With a past rooted in canals and railways, foundries and factories, the interwoven community stands today as a testament to nearly 200 years of heritage. Whether strolling the downtown farmers’ market or taking in historic sights of the Elm Street neighborhood, the legacy and life of Blairsville pulls you in. Today, with Route 22 bustling nearby, many commuters and travelers are unaware of the history contained just a stone’s throw away.
Seven years ago, Blairsville was in need of a makeover. Dilapidated buildings and downtrodden streets could be found around town; the role of the Conemaugh River was diminished with limited access; and revitalization goals remained unrealized. The community, however, would not sit on its heels. Instead, it worked with the Allegheny Ridge Corporation (ARCorp) to competitively apply for technical assistance through the national Your Town program, which has an objective of bringing the community together in urban planning and community revitalization decisions.
Bright times were ahead for Blairsville. The partnership with ARCorp was successful and in 2006 the Your Town workshop, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, was launched with locals taking the matter of restoring and refreshing their community into their own hands.
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http://boroughs.org/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Bright%20Times%20in%20Blairsville%5FOut%20%20About%5F%20JanFeb14.pdf
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014
http://boroughs.org/subpage.php?link=Borough-News-Magazine
www.boroughs.org
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