By SAXON DAUGHERTY
Staff writer
The Oil City Main Street Program received an award last week in Harrisburg for its mural project that got underway last summer.
The Main Street Program, which is designed to help revitalize Oil City’s downtown, was notified in May that it was selected by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center to receive a Townie Award in the category of physical improvements and design: public space improvements.
Main Street manager Kathy Bailey made the trip to Harrisburg for the Downtown Center’s 30th anniversary gala on June 13 along with Oil City Mayor Bill Moon Jr. and his wife, Robin, State Rep. R. Lee James and his wife, Maureen, and State Sen. Scott Hutchinson.
The group was presented with a physical trophy and two citations, one each from the state House and Senate.
“It’s exciting to know we are recognized,” Bailey said.
The murals were applied to various buildings in Oil City in June and July of last year.
The first piece, called “Oil City, Being Completed” by artist Bernie Wilke of Pittsburgh, can be found on the east wall of the building that houses Famoore’s Restaurant.
Another work, “I See A Train a-Comin'” by artist Diane Adams of Washington, Pennsylvania, is located on the east wall of the State Street Furniture building.
The third mural, “The Blue Muses” by artist Ehren Knapp of Erie, was applied on the Elm Street side of the former Isaly’s building owned by Eisenburger Management.
“That’s not going to be the last of the murals,” Bailey said. “We have secured some additional grant funds and we are hoping to finalize some arrangements for more murals within the next month.”
Bailey added that it is important to have these type of initiatives because it helps create a sense of community, while also creating excitement and beautifying a gateway to downtown Oil City.
“That’s what it is all about,” Bailey said. “It’s what attracts people to the area.”
In addition to the award, Bailey said the Main Street Program was given its annual national accreditation in Harrisburg last week.
Accredited Main Street Programs are evaluated each year by their coordinating program, and they must maintain 10 performance standards such as planning methods and community involvement.
The ranking was largely based off reinvestment statistics, which Bailey referenced in April at the Oil City Main Street Program’s annual mixer.
At the time, Bailey said Oil City has seen a total investment of nearly $7 million in the past six years.
From September 2011 on, Bailey said 23 new businesses have opened and there have been 52 rehabilitation projects.
Bailey said she expects 2017 to be another busy year, and she is looking forward to future growth in Oil City.
“The opportunities that come to us, we want to take the ball and run with it,” she said.
