Group aims to preserve, promote Freeport

A group of borough residents is jumping onto the town revitalization bandwagon.

Participants in the fledgling Freeport Renaissance Association hope to give Freeport's downtown a facelift and attract more businesses and visitors to town.

"We want to get our town excited about itself," said Diana Rehner, the association president and wife of Councilman Don Rehner.

Gayle Furer, another organization founder who was appointed to serve on borough council earlier this year, said residents began meeting informally early this year and brainstormed things they could do to improve the borough.

For several months they've been meeting in the borough building and are applying for official nonprofit status so they can raise money and apply for grants.

Furer said officials from the Rivers of Steel organization will be meeting with the renaissance association tonight to give them some tips for organizing. Rivers of Steel is a Homestead-based organization that aims to preserve the region's industrial history.

Rehner said the group has short- and long-term goals that range from seasonal decorating contests and sidewalk repairs to boosting the number of businesses and recreational opportunities. Rehner said other projects discussed include craft festivals, summer concerts and assisting the local historical society.

"Freeport has so much potential," Rehner said. "We have the river, the Rails-to-Trails, a rich history."

"We have the river and a nice park down there," Furer said. "Maybe we can take advantage of it more."

Furer said the borough hasn't declined to the degree of some other river towns, but it could be doing a better job at self-promotion and upkeep.

"Freeport is a great community, and our feeling is we need to keep moving up," she said. "We don't have terrible crime or blight, but we don't want to have it, either.

"We don't want to wait around until we have to dig ourselves out of a hole," she said.

Furer said 30 to 40 people regularly attend the monthly meetings and the public is welcome. She said people from neighboring communities who have an attachment to Freeport also attend.

"We're not just a bunch of women folk sipping tea and eating cookies," Furer said.

Furer said she's hopeful the Rivers of Steel representatives can give them some advice on starting projects and fundraising. She said the group has completed minor fundraising to pay for start-up costs, but they don't have the experience to raise large amounts of money for big projects.

"Selling cookies isn't going to cut it," she said.

Allegheny Valley Chamber of Commerce President Mary Bowlin said she got involved with the group because she is a Freeport resident and has experience in town revitalization projects.

"I live in Freeport, so of course it's near and dear to my heart," she said.

She said the chamber hasn't been asked to assist any other local towns in similar revitalization efforts, but will help Freeport wherever possible and would be available for any other town that requested assistance.

"I think the area has a lot to offer," Bowlin said. Additional Information:

Coming up

Who: Freeport Renaissance Association.

What: Monthly meeting.

When: 6 tonight.

Where: Freeport Borough Building, 414 Market St.