Lancaster neighborhood awarded over $1 million for revitalization

(Harrisburg) — A neighborhood in Lancaster is getting a huge boost in revitalization efforts, thanks to an influx of over one and a half million dollars in grants.

Southwest Lancaster received $1.15 million from the Wells Fargo Regional Foundation and $600,000 from the S. Dale High Family Foundation.

Matt Johnson, chief of staff for Mayor Danene Sorace, says there’s been an intense focus on revitalizing the downtown over the past decade.

“But what’s fascinating is this neighborhood, the southwest, borders right along there and it does seem that the prosperity that we’ve seen downtown just doesn’t cross the street,” Johnson said. 

A 2015 Franklin and Marshall College report found incomes had gone up in recent years in the downtown, but had fallen in all of the surrounding areas.

Johnson says the community in the southwest part of the city has been particularly good at organizing to advocate for what the neighborhood needs.

“And I think I see our role in the city as, ‘how do we help you facilitate the things that you want to do,’ rather than, ‘let us tell you what you want to do and then we’ll do it for you,’” Johnson said. “This is, ‘let us help facilitate this already great idea you have.’”

The grants will be used to improve housing and lighting in the neighborhood to boost security. 

Some money will also be put toward beautification efforts.