CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — The Fifth Avenue corridor from Exit 62 of I-80 acts as a gateway to the Clarion community, and two local officials would like to see some improvements.
Clarion University President Karen Whitney wants to make Fifth Avenue “really great.”
“I am going to continue to discuss the possible economic impact of the University as a good thing and talk about what we bring to the community economically,” said Whitney. “I want to ask that everyone who owns property of any kind on Fifth Avenue, a major thoroughfare for prospective students, to look at all of us joining together to make Fifth Avenue really great. That includes the commercial landowners, landlords, and homeowners because we all have a stake in that major thoroughfare being a quality experience. I’m hopeful that the work that is being done with the road will help with that, but it’s a community issue.”
Tracy Becker, executive director of the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry, has similar concerns about Fifth Avenue and is scheduled to talk with Whiney next week.
“It’s been one of my concerns, too,” said Becker. “I know that when people are coming up Fifth Avenue to the community, you want to have that ‘welcome feeling’ for them if they’re coming into the borough and things like that. We want them to know that they’re coming into a beautiful town and a great shopping district.”
Welcome to Clarion
Welcome signs are also on Becker’s agenda. Welcome signs are on Route 68 across from the Clarion Mall and on Route 66 near the C93 Radio Station.
“We’re looking at replacing the signs as people are coming up from the Riverhill, as they’re coming from Toby, and as they’re coming in from the Strattanville area, all of them saying ‘Welcome to Clarion, PA — Home of the Autumn Leaf Festival.’ We’re looking at getting the funding to refurbish those three signs for that purpose to let people know that they are coming into the Clarion city limits.”
The line between Clarion Township and Clarion Borough is on Boundary Street. Student housing in Clarion Township has increased dramatically over the last two decades, possibly because of no zoning to limit use of the houses and no continuing local police presence.
“I was happy with the construction on Fifth Avenue,” said Becker. “I know people hate having the traffic and sometimes it is a pain, but it is needed. I’m looking at the big picture at the end and what they want to do. We want them to feel welcome to the community and their widening of the road and taking out the turn, and other things will help.”
Becker also felt there are some important businesses in the Fifth Avenue corridor.
“We have a lot of great businesses down there like Comet Market, Computer Support, and Carpet Barn. People are also putting money into their homes, so you want to be able to showcase what we have.”
Becker was also pleased with the community’s efforts to place flowers in the Main Street district.
“I commend the ladies who do the planters on Main Street,” said Becker. “I wish we were able to do more planters. I’m hoping that when the university’s new buildings are completed, they continue and even do planters for the university buildings. As people are coming in from Strattanville, they will see the beautiful buildings and planters. It just melds into our downtown area.”
Whitney would also like to see more work on some off campus housing.
“I look forward to continuing my work with landlords who provide our students housing off campus and urge them to continue improving the safety and quality of that housing for our students,” said Whitney. “Some of the landlords in the area are exceptional and care deeply for our students. Some appear to need to make serious improvements to ensure the safety and quality. As president, I asked the landlords, particularly ones who may have neglected their properties, to reinvest in those properties for the students.”
$160.9 Million Economic Impact
Regarding the economic impact of Clarion University mentioned by Whitney, a recent study said its impact on the Commonwealth is $160.9 million. Clarion University employs 630 individuals, making it Clarion County’s number one employer. The report was the result of a study released by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, which shows that the state system generates more than $6.7 billion in economic activity each year.
The $160.9 million represents four main spending sources: institutional spending ($36.8 million); faculty and staff spending ($40.2 million); student spending ($49.1 million); and capital expenditures ($13.8 million).
The report goes on to say that Clarion’s total economic impact on the Commonwealth – direct, indirect, and induced – is $264.6 million, using multipliers obtained through the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Industrial Multiplier Systems (RIMS II).
Each dollar invested in Clarion University by the Commonwealth via appropriations yielded a return of approximately $11.89, the study indicates. Clarion’s appropriation for the 2013-14 fiscal year was $22.3 million.
