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Events add to Canonsburg revitalization
Staff writer
agillooly@observer-reporter.com
CANONSBURG - Nadeen Steffey said the proverbial ball is rolling in downtown Canonsburg, and she doesn't see it slowing down anytime soon.
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She spent the better part of her five-month tenure trying to get to know the town, the business owners and the vision the community has for the future.
Not only did Steffey hold a workshop for business owners to tell them about a matching grant program that would enable businesses to upgrade their facades, but she also has planned a first-ever Mother's Day event Friday and Saturday. Carnations will be given away to moms, and shoppers can register to win a "Mom is Special" gift basket.
A few weeks later, the borough will enjoy its first Farm Market. The event is called "To Market Tuesdays," and Steffey said vendors peddling everything from fresh produce to cheeses to seasonal flowers will be on hand.
Held in the Luksis parking lot on East Pike Street adjacent to the borough building, the events will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays beginning May 27 and ending Oct. 21.
While she expects the farmer's market to be a success, she realizes that new ventures need time to gain momentum.
"This is the first year, so we know it will be small," Steffey said. "But we just need time to help it grow."
She said the summer season in Canonsburg is packed with popular downtown events such as the much-anticipated Fourth of July parade.
"I can't wait to see these events unfold," she said.
While the events are coordinated by myriad committees, she said it's her job to not only make sure the committees are on the same page, but also to ensure that they are as beneficial as possible for local businesses.
"I'm not here to take over," she said. "I just want to help the events and promote Canonsburg as a place to shop, dine and play after festival time."
Borough manager Terry Hazlett said he had high hopes for the Main Street program, a five-year program funded by the state.
And he admitted Steffey has a lot on her plate.
"She's trying to find out what makes Canonsburg tick and how to make it tick better," he said.
Steffey said Canonsburg's niche has been a tricky one to pinpoint, what with the borough's musical and ethnic heritage.
Regardless, she's confident that the Main Street program will have a major impact on downtown businesses, especially given how far the borough already has come.
The fact that Canonsburg has already completed a streetscape project and that the major events already are held downtown are major advantages.
"We already have such a great start. And there's been so much community support. We're just getting started," she said. "The ball was already rolling, so I'm here to keep it rolling."
