May 31, 2015 3 min read

A steering committee has started to revise Waynesburg Borough’s comprehensive plan, part of which will involve addressing issues regarding the revitalization of the business district. It appears to be an auspicious time for just such an endeavor, with the proposed construction of the new Gateway Senior Housing project expected to begin this summer.

The borough is revising a plan that was last reviewed in the mid-1960s.

The work is being conducted by the borough in partnership with the county and Waynesburg University, both of which also have a stake in the future of the borough. The steering committee includes representatives of borough council, Waynesburg Prosperous and Beautiful, the university and county. The group is being assisted by Mackin Engineering, which was hired as a consultant.

Listed as a priority in the scope of work approved earlier by council is downtown revitalization, looking at the types of businesses that would thrive in downtown Waynesburg and how to address parking.

Other issues listed as priorities include development of a comprehensive sewer and stormwater strategy, zoning analysis and a housing plan that will look at issues such as vacancies, blight, absentee landlords and code enforcement.

Pondering what can be done to make Waynesburg’s downtown a little more lively is much needed.

Despite the streetscape project completed several years ago that added new street lights and decorative sidewalks, parts of downtown are sleepy. Although there are businesses in Waynesburg that appear to be doing well, they could use retail establishments and restaurants as neighbors in order to create more foot traffic and draw even more customers to downtown.

Gateway Senior Housing will be important to Waynesburg because it will establish a small residential community right at the edge of the business district.

It will be on the north side of High Street and will contain 31 one-bedroom units and 21 two-bedroom apartments for independent seniors, aged 62 or older.

People who end up living there will need places to shop and things to do nearby, and it would be good if those amenities could be found within walking distance.

In addition to bringing people to the downtown area, Gateway Senior Housing will be the first new building to be constructed on High Street in many, many years.

A shiny, new building certainly will be a fresh addition to Waynesburg’s downtown.

We also should note the developer chose to call the development Gateway Senior Housing because it will be at a location dubbed by a recent study as the eastern “gateway” to Waynesburg.

Gateway Senior Housing will not by itself revitalize downtown Waynesburg.

Many other issues will have to be addressed, such as providing adequate parking, convincing property owners to invest in their buildings to offer attractive retail space and possibly providing financial incentives for such building improvements.

No, Gateway Senior Housing will not solve all the problems of downtown Waynesburg.

But it is a good start and will be a foundation Waynesburg can build on.