Nov. 5--Connellsville, rooted in industry, has a new industry: tourism.

James Pashek and Sara Thompson, with Pashek Associates, Pittsburgh, outlined a Gateway to Gateway Master Plan for the city to several residents and trail enthusiasts at the Connellsville Cultural Trust this week.

"Tourism is the most recent industry in Connellsville," Pashek said. "The emerging economy is based on the trail, the western edge of town along the river." He added that the challenge for planning is to get users of the Great Allegheny Passage to "leave some of their dollars in town."

Work has already begun, with improvements at the northern part of the trail and down into Yough River Park. These improvements have been incorporated into the master plan, which also will be part of the Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan for the City of Connellsville, Connellsville Township and South Connellsville Borough.

City council will have to approve the plans.

Gateway to Gateway stretches from the northern trail entrance, behind Martin's Food Market to the south gateway on the trail to Ohiopyle.

The plan lays the foundation for downtown revitalization.

Thompson outlined several broad recommendations:

--Strengthen Crawford Avenue as a "Main Street" by concentrating commercial and mixed-use redevelopment and facade improvements within a few blocks of the Third Street bike lanes.

--Strengthen the residential area north of Crawford Avenue with residential redevelopment and infill of vacant properties, historic restoration and new park development. "We want to make this more inviting and enhance property values," Thompson said.

--Create bicycle gateways at both trail entrances into Connellsville, including a recommendation to add a second arch and historic information at the southern gateway.

--Create vehicular gateways at the intersections of Route 119 and Pittsburgh Street and Route 119 and Crawford Avenue to welcome visitors and direct drivers downtown and to the trail.

--Improve the streetscape of Crawford Avenue to create a pedestrian and bicycle-oriented environment.

--Create bicycle plazas for bicyclists to stop, park their bikes and lock their belongings and get information about local businesses. "We want to create a place where bicyclists can lock up their bikes and walk around," Thompson said.

--Employ environmentally sustainable design and construction solutions.

--Provide bike loops connecting commercial activities.

Other specific improvements include redoing the parking lot at Yough River Park and restricting Torrance Avenue to bicycles and pedestrians only. Michael Edwards, executive director of the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority, said the city will receive funding for that project next year.

At Third Street, the triangular city-owned park could be transformed into a "village green" with additional parking. In that area, Pashek said the changes would not just be for the trail, but for overall "economic development; to develop a very desirable neighborhood, not just an attractive gateway, but an attractive and desirable neighborhood."

Ralph Wombacker, retired redevelopment authority executive director, said that part of the city lies in a 100-year flood plane.

Out at the intersection of Third Street and Crawford Avenue, bicyclists face a major decision. Thompson said a brick crosswalk would be attractive and improvements would enhance safety. This area would be a possible site for a bicycle plaza with bike lockers and racks.

The Mongell property at the intersection of First and Crawford is a connecting piece between the West Side and downtown across the Crawford Avenue Bridge. The city has set aside Community Development Block Grant money to develop a park at the site.

Gateway to Gateway envisions a business with a river view deck at the site.

"This is the connecting piece," said Cathy McCollom, of the Progress Fund. "This is a key property."

McCollom said an improvement to the Crawford Avenue Bridge, a cantilevered bicycle and pedestrian lane, has been moved up into PennDOT's three- to four-year plan.

At South First and Third, at Head Start and the industrial district, Thompson said some of the asphalt should be replaced with landscaping, shade trees and a nicer river overlook.

A lower fence near Allegheny Energy, a vegetative screen and mural projects could be added. Several murals have already been installed.

"We will finalize the report and send it to the DCNR for approval," Pashek said.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources financed the Gateway to Gateway study. McCollom said the city received $100,000. Pashek Associates will receive $67,000, and the remaining $33,000 will be used for the Torrance Avenue transition from vehicle traffic to bicyclists and pedestrians.

McCollom said the study is for the long term.

"Why do we plan? Much can't be done overnight," she noted. "This is a first necessary step for funding opportunities. There are grants for green construction, public art and signage. It all begins with vision. All (funding sources) want to know the plan. It's a necessary, integral step for Connellsville."

Judy Kroeger can be reached at jkroeger@tribweb.com or 724-626-3538.

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