EMBRACE MILLCREEK:
THE TOWNSHIP’ S NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Embrace Millcreek Ready for Public Review illcreek
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP
A draft of the Township’ s new comprehensive plan – Embrace Millcreek – will be released in late May after more than a year of work, including surveys, neighborhood meetings, open houses, and research.
The draft will be presented at a public meeting at 6:00 p. m. on Thursday, May 24th at McDowell Intermediate High School. It will then be available for review on the project’ s website( EmbraceMillcreek. com), with hard copies accessible at the Township Building and the Millcreek Branch of the Erie County Public Library. Public comments will be received through the end of June.
Residents previewed the framework for the plan during two open house events in late January. The events were structured around five focus areas that emerged in early 2017 as priorities in Millcreek, including: strengthening neighborhood investment, improving commercial corridors, creating a distinctive gateway to Presque Isle, supporting business development, and promoting stewardship of township infrastructure.
During the open houses many residents expressed support
16 16 MILLCREEK MILLCREEK for efforts to halt the spread of residential disinvestment and blight. Research for Embrace Millcreek found that 370 residential properties in the Township, or roughly 2 % of residential structures, show visible signs of distress or neglect. Some attendees noted that street maintenance plays a role in housing marketability and investment decisions and should be considered an important part of efforts to improve neighborhoods.
The area around the gateway to Presque Isle also generated conversation and comments at the open houses. Many see that area as an opportunity to embellish a critical asset and establish a strong identity for the Township, while others see it as a focal point for efforts to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections within Millcreek. czbLLC, the township’ s planning consultant on Embrace Millcreek, has been working with Supervisors, staff, and the Planning Commission since July 2017 to complete research, analysis, and outreach for the plan. Representatives of the firm will be present at the May 24th meeting to discuss the plan and answer questions about the draft.