Allegheny Together
Community Application Process

Mission

Allegheny Together endeavors to encourage well-planned, well-designed and geographically-focused investment in the established, urban commercial districts of Allegheny County while respecting the unique history, character, and built environment of each. The program aims to help organize and empower each community to fulfill its collective vision.

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Description

This innovative program will enable selected downtown-based communities to complete a multi-year strategic plan followed by technical assistance. Allegheny Together is founded on the principal that municipal involvement is essential to the strength and vitality of any business district initiative. Each program year will have a specific focus as well as identified objectives.

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Program Services

Participants will receive a comprehensive package of services that can be broken into two main components:

 

Downtown Planning Services:
Each Municipality will go through a process to establish a multi-year strategic plan for the community’s business district. As part of this process, action plans and Business District Advisory Councils will be developed to help communities turn their vision into a reality.

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Technical Assistance:

After establishing a vision, consultants will support priority activities to help Municipalities carry out their vision for the business district. These activities may include specific studies (e.g. market analysis, bicycle and/or pedestrian plans, business retention and attraction strategies) or may include added capacity for grant writing or organizational planning.

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Ongoing Organizational Support:

After initial planning and technical assistance, ongoing support will be provided through quarterly meetings with Business District Advisory Councils.

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Eligibility

• Business district must be within Allegheny County

• Business district is not within the City of Pittsburgh

• Only one application per municipality

• Communities should have a distinct and Identifiable Business District or Main Street

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Participation Requirements

Within 30 days of acceptance into the Program, new communities will be required to:

• Review and approve the Allegheny Together participation acknowledgement via a resolution
• Provide copies of any past downtown planning documents

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In order to continue to participate in the program beyond year one, communities will be required to:

• Establish and adopt multi-year strategic plans

• Adopt and effect a written downtown action plan

• Evidence substantive program accomplishments

• Provide financial participation as may be required by the Allegheny Together Program

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Selection Criteria and Process

Allegheny County Economic Development will review all applications and communities will be selected based on eligibility and demonstrated interest and capacity to fully participate in the program. The application process is complete for 2020, but will open again in the Fall of 2020 for the following year. 

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Allegheny Together applications will be available: 10/23
Applications will be due by 4 pm: 12/11
Selection of New Allegheny Together Communities: 12/18

 

 

Submission: 

Complete, print and sign the application and email to engage@alleghenytogether.com 

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In addition to this application, applicants must submit two signed Letters of Support from a partner organization that speaks to the capacity, interest, and opportunities for business district revitalization as described in the application.

 

If it is not possible to use this online form, the applicant has the option of receiving a mailed paper copy of the application, if preferred. Please contact Jala Johnson at Jala.Johnson@AlleghenyCounty.us for a paper version.  

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Questions? Contact engage@alleghenytogether.com.

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