1st Projects: Then and Now

In 2014, the CDC hosted its first Annual Block Parties and bought the old News Tribune building.

Then: The Block Parties were pretty straight forward - a local resident wanted to host city-wide parties in recognition of National Night Out so the CDC came alongside her to make them happen. There were 5 parties in the first year.

Now: The energy for and around these parties has grown immensely in the last 8 years! The hosts meet together once to get started on the planning and it’s a delight to see them share stories from the last year and ideas for the next. 3 people have expressed interest in hosting a brand-new party this year. Save the date: Tuesday, August 2nd 2022!

Then: The News Tribune building project has NOT been so straight forward. The CDC took ownership of the building because some local residents wanted to preserve it and put in a lot of their own money to do so. But there was no clear idea what it would be. Over the years, different ideas were thrown out while work was done to repair the roof and stabilize the building. Eventually, conversations started up with Neighborhood North: Museum of Play until the two groups agreed that a new children’s museum in an old historical building was it!

Advertising graphic made for the campaign by Human City Creative

Now: A lot of work has already gone into replacing the roof and gutting the building over the past couple years. Then, just this year, a large funding opportunity came up that would completely renovate the first floor of the News Tribune building and move Neighborhood North in. We had a two weeks between when the grant opportunity was announced and when it was due. A team flew into action to write the grant and collect as many community signatures as possible to submit alongside it. You gave us over 2,000 signatures to submit showing support for this project!

This is the kind of work the CDC loves to be involved in - coming alongside the dreams of residents for their city and offering as many resources as we can to them!

Will you help us continue this kind of support to projects? Donate $100 or more in the month of May and receive a complimentary Stray Cat Studio mug!

Introducing: Lacey’s Beauty Bar

Hello, Community! My name is Lacey Dean and I’m originally from Beaver Falls. I’ve moved all around the Pittsburgh region in the last decade, but recently, I’ve made my way back to my hometown to start the career of my dreams!

How did you decide to pursue the beauty industry?

I studied at the University of Maine right out of high school in 2008 and then on and off at CCBC for years. It wasn’t up until a few years back that I decided to go to Beauty school. I enrolled in the Esthetician program at North Hills Beauty Academy in Westview, PA in 2017. Then I received my professional esthetics license. The only regret that I have is not attending beauty school SOONER! 

What brought your business to Beaver Falls?

I worked part time at a local salon for the past couple years as well as focused on building a clientele from home. It was the best decision that I ever made! Which brings me to present day….

December 2021, I decided to take a leap of faith and open my own salon! Located at 1414 7th Ave, Main Street of Beaver Falls, I’m proud to announce, Lacey’s Beauty Bar! 

I initially planned on opening a space at another location until it dawned on me: I really wanted to bring something unique to the city of Beaver Falls! After all, it really is a great town with a ton of potential! I figured this was a very risky business move but I put my faith in my higher power and went with my gut feeling. 

I’m proud to represent a space where everyone is welcome! I want everyone that walks through my doors to feel a positive vibe and feel like they’re at home! I LIVE to make others feel beautiful and confident in their skin! Nothing makes me happier then seeing the looks on my clients’ faces after getting their services done!

What services do you offer?

I plan to add more services to the menu this upcoming year, with permanent makeup being a huge goal of mine!

I also have an online clothing boutique called Thread and Sew. There is clothing to shop inside the salon too! Stay tuned for more exciting news with the clothing boutique! 

I hope to continue growing and building a clientele that can put their trust in me! I’d love to continue being a small business in Beaver Falls with the love and support from the Community!

Visit Lacey’s site to find detailed prices & book an appointment today!

How can the community support you?

I would appreciate it very much if you took the time to like and follow my business page on Facebook. You could also follow my Instagram account; that would be very helpful in my new upcoming business venture!!

Thank you for taking the time to get to know a little bit more about me! I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you! If you’re in the area, please stop in and introduce yourself!

It's a New Year in BF!

Ready or not, 2022 is here!

Tis the season of New Year’s Resolutions - with the turn of the calendar to a new year, we tend to start thinking about ways we want to commit to a healthier lifestyle. Is that an exciting thought or does it make you groan?

Either way, consider letting Beaver Falls assist you in your new goals. There are many local opportunities to make small, incremental changes and pursue a healthier lifestyle. Here are just a few suggestions:

Shop for and cook more fresh food:

1. Giles Town & Country Market and the Fruit & Garden Center are open year-round with fresh food

2. Buy a summer CSA share from Big Table Farm for a weekly delivery of locally-grown, family-run, organic veggies

3. Visit the Farmer’s Market every Monday, May-Nov

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head outside (or not) and get some movement in

1. Walkable city

2. Bike/walking trail

3. Bike lanes

4. Local college with a public track

5. County YMCA one town over

6. Multiple family playgrounds

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You know that thing that you just want to keep putting off…

Beaver Falls says do it!

Inspection or tune-ups?

Doctor or dentist appointment?

House projects?

Try: Autobody Products Bargain Brakes Benders Auto Uneeda Tire Co.

Try: Heritage Valley The Primary Health Network BF Health Mart Pharmacy

Try: Bauman Office Equipment D&G Rent-Alls Falls City Lumber Hamilton Tool & Supply Hutch & Home Kitchen City, Inc. Mazzant Painting & Disaster Restoration

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It’s a good time to treat yourself to a new hobby - and Beaver Falls has some cool places to help you explore something new

Thrifting: Humane Society Thrift Store Fashion Revival This & That Downtown Antique Emporium

New Art Projects: Crafting Elegance Vintage Reborn

Green Thumb: join the Community Garden on 1st Ave this summer

Visit the library for more ideas!!

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We’d love to chat about ways you could join us! Check out our volunteer page, some projects or partnerships you’d like to help with, or let us know a project you’ve been dreaming about for awhile. You never know what could happen!

Summer 2021: Beauty in BF

It’s cold! And the green has disappeared from western PA. Some look forward to the beauty of snow, others simply want to curl up with a hot drink and remember warmer times. Here are greener times for you:

This summer, the Spaces in-Between site on the 1600 block of 7th Ave received 6 new apple trees. The team worked hard and quickly to plant the donated trees from Agway and the young saplings seemed to enjoy the space.

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Another group committed to the beauty of our city is the Beaver Falls Arts Council. The members of this council strongly believe that art and beauty have to be central in the work of revitalization. With this mindset, they’ve completed several projects over the past few years - the mural at Widmer’s (800 block of 7th Ave), the hanging mural (1400 block of 7th Ave), the mural at the Humane Society Thrift Store (unfortunately, they had to repaint over it), hosted an art show at Spring Fest one year, and hosted a fundraiser to install the community mosaic (corner of 7th Ave and 9th St).

Widmer's

Hanging mural

Humane Society

Community mosaic

As of this summer, they’re adopting a new set of goals for the council. Rather than planning new projects themselves, they’re turning their focus towards promoting, sponsoring, and supporting public art and local artists.

Though the system is not yet in place, they imagine a process where a local artist submits a proposal for a project, a Public Art Review Board would review and approve the project, then the Arts Council could help think through steps, coordinate volunteers and supplies for workdays, help collect and hold funds, apply for grants, provide oversight, facilitation, or any other type of support that might be needed.

The Public Art Review Board step is of particular interest to the group. They want to propose to City Council that every new piece of public art be approved by a Public Art Review Board, which would be newly formed each time a project proposal arose. The Arts Council is developing criteria for those boards, which would ensure that all Beaver Falls groups and demographics would be represented and have a say in the approval of art that becomes public.

These are the adjustments that the summer set in motion. Currently, the team is actively supporting Neighborhood North’s “playful learning landscapes” project and they are excited to extend their support to local artists as well.

Summer 2021: 2nd Ave Playground

2nd Ave Playground, the hidden local birthplace of some of Beaver Falls’ greatest athletes…and also a long-cherished place for local families to hang out and play. Several local residents are investing in this historical location to preserve its legacy and improve the area for more years of family fun.

Their initial goals are to install updated and more kid friendly playground equipment, more benches, bleachers, a shed, and a colorful mural.

What’s happened this summer?

This summer, The Beaver Falls Reunion Committee (the group heading up this project) approached the CDC for partnership. The CDC joined this group’s work by becoming its fiscal sponsor. Together, they applied for a grant from Duquesne Light and received $5,000. BFRC also received a $6,000 anonymous donation and launched a T-shirt sale.

The group will keep planning fundraisers but are not waiting around. With the funds already raised, they’ve started ordering new items for the playground - a whirl around and swing set equipment. A local artist agreed to paint a mural on the brick wall behind the basketball court. He created a sketch this summer and currently is in conversation with the group about painting it this month. So keep your eyes peeled!

Summer 2021: Neighborhood Revitalization

The Beaver Falls CDC is finishing up their second year as recipients of the Pennsylvania NAP (Neighborhood Assistance Program) grant. Over the past two years, the CDC has used this grant to bring life to the Boost Our Blocks Initiative. The project serves what the CDC calls their target neighborhood, a zone that was created by research done in the first year of funding. This target neighborhood stretches from 4th to 8th Avenue and from 10th to 14th Street, covering a lot of downtown Beaver Falls. We believe this zone of homes, businesses, and land has the potential to grow and experience revitalization where needed.

This year, Juliet Casinelli, the Director of Neighborhood Revitalization, has spent most of her time researching the area, learning about everything from demolition to house remodeling, and communicating with neighbors and hearing what matters to them. Over the past year, the Boost Our Blocks Initiative has remodeled a porch, provided new windows to a home, completed landscaping in two yards, and painted the outside of two businesses. In addition to the cosmetic work completed, we demolished two blighted properties in downtown.

All of the work above was completed in partnership with others: with neighbors, with the city, with local businesses, and with residents across the city. The heart of the NAP is founded in partnership and encourages its awardees to live out the same mission in their projects. The CDC is encouraged and excited about the buy-in we have seen by those we worked with this year.

The CDC was recently approved for another year of funding. With next year’s funding, the team will tackle more demolition, house projects, land banking, and beautification. The CDC is most excited to meet new people who are enthusiastic to partner with us to bring health to our great city of Beaver Falls.

An Institute for Real Life

The Mill Town Institute (MTI) became a new partner of the CDC earlier this year, having just officially launched themselves as an organization in April. As a group of academics, MTI wants to use its resources and skillsets to better understand and serve the mill towns throughout Beaver County. So…what exactly does that look like?

This summer, they hosted two small-group book discussions as a first entry into the type of events they want to pursue. One group read The Making of a Democratic Economy while the second read Playing Through the Whistle. MTI chose these two books specifically because of how each explores culture, attentive to how people live, work, eat, and play in the place they live. Understanding the culture of mill towns is crucial for MTI and for all who live in Beaver County. Why? Because the legacy of the steel mills and the local culture they helped shape have been such key aspects of our Beaver County history. But not just past history. Nate Nyeholt, Director of MTI, notes that “this region is gonna be part of national politics for the foreseeable future…So how do we think about that well?” Exploring our mill town culture raises the question of not just where we’ve come from but also - where do we want to go?

Another summer activity for MTI was asking four individuals in Beaver County to write papers on mill towns, related to specific areas they’ve studied and are working in: “town-gown” relationships, community development, community narrative and how it develops, and the value of artist co-ops. In the future, MTI plans to create their own publication to gather more research on mill towns, including papers such as these.

Generating these book discussions and papers served as a way for MTI to begin inviting people into conversations around mill towns, their culture, and how we as a community can move forward with a sense of identity, purpose, and vision. Anyone can engage these topics, but MTI believes it has the capacity to generate a “shared vocabulary” for the conversation, a bridge between the academy and lived experience. MTI wants to bring the analytic framework of academia to the everyday lives of real people. And they hope that those who have experienced life in these mill towns will be willing to bring their stories into a more analytic framework.

So what’s next? MTI has applied to a PA Humanities grant for humanities-based organizations, which they will hear back from in early November. They would use the grant money for capacity-building and to take more small steps toward finding their role as an organization. The ideas abound: hosting events, speakers, workshops, book discussions, and collecting stories from those in our area who worked in the steel mills. This team is eager to see the details unfold and find creative ways to connect the world of academia to the world of daily living in mill towns.

Home Rule Charter?

What is it?

Home Rule means “by the people.” Most local governments can only do what state laws explicitly say they can; Home Rule Charters are written locally.

What are the main changes Beaver Falls would experience as a result of the proposed Charter?

1. Local residents can propose legislation, changes to the charter, etc. by means of a petition. With enough signatures, the issue will be put on the ballot.

2. The structure of our local government offices, with higher qualification standards for positions.

3. Tax structure, shifting some property tax weight to wage earners.

More detailed information can be found at the BF Home Rule Charter website.

Back to the Banquet

After going virtual to host a 2020 fundraiser, the committee of the Beaver Falls CDC was excited to be back in person this year with its Annual Banquet!

Hosted at The Well, a community space owned by The SOMA Gathering on 6th Ave downtown, over 50 people joined together to celebrate and support the CDC. Many more donated who were unable to attend. Those present got to enjoy music by Sound County Records, a delicious meal from Farm to Fork, a 50/50 raffle, and raffle baskets donated by several Board members and Vintage Reborn.

After dinner, 4 members and staff shared some highlights from the past year as well as why they find meaning in their work with the CDC. These 4 were Wendy Whelpley (Executive Director), Doug Carson (previous Board member), Rochelle Burks (Heart & Soul Project Coordinator), and CJ McGeary (Director of Communications).

Two and a half weeks later, donations are totaling a little over $14,000, well above the $10,000 target. We are deeply grateful for the support and encouragement of our community members who believe in the work we’re doing. Thank you Beaver Falls!

Block Parties - Back in 2021

Tuesday, August 3rd saw Beaver Falls residents gathering together at 6 different block parties throughout the city. In 2013, a local resident started the tradition of hosting these parties in recognition of National Night Out, a national initiative to promote healthier relationships among neighbors and local officials. The CDC has continued helping residents carry on this tradition for the past 8 years. 2020 saw a break from the traditional parties due to Covid precautions; instead the CDC sponsored a Free Ice Cream Truck event.

But 2021 brought these celebrations back in their original form! 5 local residents, 1st Presbyterian Church, and St. Monica’s Academy hosted parties in their own neighborhoods - 2 on College Hill, 1 on Mt. Washington, and 3 downtown. They invited neighbors, asked them to bring sides, and planned fun events to make their party unique. 5 local churches - The SOMA Gathering, Central United Methodist, 2nd Baptist, Ashes to Life, and Beaver Falls Christian Assembly - each contributed to sponsor the event.

Our local Vocelli Pizza, Fruit & Garden Center, Save-a-Lot, and McDonald’s donated pizza, watermelons, cups, and napkins. The City Street Dept. blocked off the streets for each party that needed it, while local police officers stopped by each party to participate and talk with residents for during their rounds of the city. A team effort for sure!

Each host felt that their party was a success! There were between 50-150 people at each party, plenty of food thanks to donations and the participation of neighbors, and a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. We were so thankful to help host these events again and spend time celebrating with our community!

If you would like to host (or assist a host) next year, let us know by filling out the volunteer form on our Block Party page. Our hope is that this event continues to grow each year so more and more residents can celebrate together!

An Evening at the Moltrup

A clear summer evening, laughter over a glass of wine, and a remodeled 1910s home. What more could you want to help you wind down from the week?

On Thursday, July 22nd, about 60 people chose to spend their evening in just such a way. Starting at 5:30pm, people gathered at the home of Carrie and Gary Havranek, homeowners of the newly renovated Moltrup Mansion on 8th Ave. They served an array of wine, appetizers, and chocolate fondue for dessert in their lush backyard while docents offered guests tours through the beautiful house.

“It was a high energy, fun evening!” Carrie reflected. “From the enthusiasm of the docents, to guests dancing to the player piano music, everyone had a great time!”

A couple of special guests also attended the event - Dick Zuberbuehler, grandson of Mr. Moltrup himself, and his wife, Rae Nancy.

The event served as a fundraiser for the Beaver Falls Community Development Corporation. Attendees donated $100 for their tickets and the proceeds went to the corporation’s operating expenses. The BF CDC supports and sponsors a wide variety of community-led projects, all aimed at making Beaver Falls a better place to live, work and do business.

Learn more about the CDC here, and check out some of our projects, partnerships, and fiscal sponsorships. There is a lot happening in Beaver Falls and we are thankful to be a part of it!

Making Space for Something New

1816 6th Ave & 2412 8th Ave

What do these two addresses have in common? They’re the locations of two blighted houses that have now been torn down!

The CDC’s Neighborhood Revitalization Project is funded each year by corporate sponsors through the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)’s Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). Last year, a plan was developed with the help of a consulting firm, czb, part of which includes a focus on removing blight. Juliet Casinelli, our Director of Neighborhood Revitalization, has worked really hard with the city to coordinate the demolition of these two sites!