BLAIRSVILLE - First word on what stores might follow Wal-Mart into the Rt. 22, Blairsville corridor emerged from a meeting last week with local officials. While the developer has hinted about wanting to attract a clothing store and a shoes vendor, now it appears that Valley Dairy will open one of its restaurants there--not in the center itself, but adjacent to it.
One thing I was unaware of is the control Wal-Mart exercises in which businesses go into a plaza that one of its stores anchors. Dana Henry, director of the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce, told me that has certainly been the case in White Township's Southtowne center. If Wal-Mart doesn't want it, it doesn't happen. But the developer, Echo, has expressed willingness to listen to the community for suggestions about possible stores to be brought in.
Another interesting issue was raised from the meeting--the need for signage regulations in Burrell Township before the inevitable development that will follow Wal-Mart occurs. Not only will heavy traffic follow in Wal-Mart's tracks (and the opening of the WyoTech campus along Rt 22) but so too will a multitude of signs.
If you think that's not much of an issue, take a look at the jumbled mess that is the Rt. 286 corridor outside of Indiana.
Burrell Township needs to get serious about planning for growth. The supervisors' whining at last week's meeting about the plans for Rt. 22 and their projected need to treat a small portion of the old highway in winter, once the area is bypassed by a new Rt. 22, was absurd. Supervisors, you know the growth is coming, better get out ahead of the curve.
One more aspect to Wal-Mart before we move on: the designers of the building were asked to build a building that is compatible with the green Chestnut Ridge in the background. Wal-Mart has a basic navy blue design, but has been known to make alterdesign, but has been known to make alternative designs, such as adobe in southwestern states. One thing the architects and developers say repeatedly is that they've never seen a Wal-Mart welcomed with such open arms from the community.
Elsewhere around the area:
Ligonier Township is pushing forward with plans to develop a hiking trail from Ligonier Borough north to the Fort Palmer area in Fairfield Township. The trail would follow the route of the Ligonier Valley Railroad, but money must be found to build three bridges over Mill Creek. The state will be asked for grant money.
Another landmark downtown Indiana business is closing--Sipos Camera, first opened in 1939 in Homer City, is going out of business. The store, which moved to Indiana in 1950, was founded by Barney Sipos and has been operated by his son Gary since 1973...Tom Jack is opening a laundromat in the former Henry Hall location on E. Market Street in Blairsville. A grand opening is planned for Monday. Jack also owns the Fox's Pizza in Blairsville.
Indiana County's Bicentennial got started with a bang-up celebration at several locations recently. About 20 signs were recently installed along county highways proclaiming the year-long birthday bash, and a tip of the hat to Blairsville's Clark Metal Products for supplying the materials for the sign...The Bork Family Fund, a private endowment established in 1999 to support Indiana County projects, donated $2,000 to the Brush Valley Fire Co. to buy 1,000 feet of new hose. Burrell Library also received $2,000 for central air conditioning. Cherryhill Township Fire Co. received $3,000, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Indiana County $2,000, Indiana County Head Start $6,500, the ARC of Indiana County $1,200 and Citizens Ambulance $1,200.
Happy anniversary (April 8) to Bob and Norma Hope; they own a cottage in Ridgeview Park near Hillside...A cheery hello to Peg Gerhard of Derry Township, who is on the mend after some heart surgery in Pittsburgh. Peg has been a big booster of the Caldwell Memorial Library and other community projects.
Derry United Methodist Church will have a Derry Area High School graduate as its new pastor: Reb. Debra Rogosky, formerly a member of the Bradenville UMC, will become the pastor effective July 1. She now serves in the Beaver Falls area. Her husband Edward is also a United Methodist minister...A walkathon Sunday afternoon around Ethel Springs Lake raised more than $2,350 for Derry's Caldwell Memorial Library. First prize went to Therese Meloy of Derry RD 2, who collected $200.50 for the library, which operates out of Derry Area High School's library.
Derry Area students had an opportunity to take part in a special program through the Private Industry Council. As instructed by school district staffers Jim Keys, a wired technology expert in the maintenance department, and Tony Perla, the technology coordinator, students selected by PIC from applications will build a computer from the ground up.
Then students who complete 20 hours of community service get to keep their computer, along with a printer and a CD burner.
Sounds like the kind of skill-building program that we should expect from our schools.
