The Deer Lakes Regional Revitalization Committee is taking the next steps to beautify West Deer’s Russellton business district.
Committee members are reaching out to business owners to gauge interest in a Russellton Neighborhood Facade Program, according to the committee’s president Leonard Verdetto, who also serves as a Deer Lakes school director.
The Revitalization Committee is considering applying for various grants that will dedicate funds to enhancing or improving storefronts in Russellton.
“The facade program will, ideally, help with neighborhood improvement, update buildings and make it more aesthetically pleasing,” Verdetto said. “Before we start applying for grants, we need to get more community feedback.”
If funding is approved this year, the program would most likely operate next year.
The work being done will be dependent on the amount of funding the group receives, said Vince Mercuri, a member of the revitalization committee and a West Deer supervisor.
Mercuri said the committee hosted multiple meetings to gauge public interest and sent out a survey to business owners.
“We’ve got a lot of momentum,” Mercuri said. “We’re excited about the program. Sidewalks, lighting and store facades — we’re really trying to beautify it.”
During the committee’s informational session about the program last month, more 50 residents and business owners attended, Verdetto said.
“There’s definitely an interest,” he said. “There’s a positive reaction from the community and a positive motion in our district.”
Verdetto said the program’s goal is to make the town attractive not only to residents and shoppers, but to potential new businesses and potential residents.
In the future, Mercuri hopes to serve as a bridge between the committee and township government to form an official partnership. He said he’s been communicating with other supervisors and municipal leadership about the committee.
Mercuri said a letter of support to the committee is expected to be on the supervisors’ agenda for a future voting meeting.
“I’ve started to bridge the gap,” Mercuri said. “We’re making some progress.”
