Dear Friends and Neighbors in Lansdowne,
Happy June and summer to you! As we celebrate this beautiful June and move into the summer months, we see many of the regular events returning to normal in Lansdowne! This summer we will be holding events, parades, and returning to in person Council meetings albeit with a revised summer schedule.
As we emerge from Covid and more people become vaccinated, many of our traditions that have been put on hold and new projects in planning will continue to unfold. Lansdowne Borough is experiencing an abundance of good news and positive trends and events occurring in and around our community.
Events:
Over the past few weeks, Lansdowne Borough Council Members and Mayor Campuzano have hosted and participated in numerous events. First of all, we want to thank Legion Post 65 for hosting a beautiful and poignant memorial to the fallen heroes in Lansdowne on Memorial Day. See the pictures and videos HERE
Also, the American Legion is working with the Borough to spearhead the project to bring Hometown Hero banners to Lansdowne. The banners were delivered this week and our community should be able to honor these heroes during the Fourth of July parade. The banners will be hung on North Lansdowne from Veteran’s Park to Greenwood.
On June 5th, Mary Gay Scanlon, our representative for Congressional District 5, and Malcolm Kenyatta the State House Representative for the 181st House District and LGBTQIA+ activist in Pennsylvania joined local activists Jennifer Hoff and Bill Horton in raising the Pride Flag at Borough Greene. In Lansdowne we remain committed to the law and our oaths for equality and justice for all. See the pictures and videos HERE
On June 5th, Lansdowne Borough Council officially opened Reservoir Park with the Parks and Recreation Boards members, Environmental Advisory Council members, and Shade Tree Commission members. With the development of Gateway Slope and the soon to be opening of the Bicycle Route on Scottdale Road, and the development of the McKinley Tot Lot, Lansdowne Borough remains committed to the development of the Green spaces in Lansdowne. Please join on June 28th for an informational session on McKinley Lot. See the meeting details HERE
On Juneteenth, Lansdowne Borough celebrated by holding a Flag Raising on Borough Greene with special guest Dr. Monica Taylor from Delaware County Council. In our resolution to celebrate Juneteenth, we called on Congress and the Senate to recognize this day as a National Holiday. Both the House and Senate have since overwhelmingly, in a bipartisan way, supported Juneteenth as a holiday.
Economic Development:
Last council, Lansdowne Borough Council unanimously voted to enter into an agreement with CGI for the development of promotional marketing materials to further the goals of marketing Lansdowne Borough’s assets and amenities to a larger audience.
Each month new businesses are opening: coming soon in Lansdowne are Sweet Gardenia, NEV Creative Studios and Lansdowne Urban Farms is having a ribbon cutting next week. Last week, the Zoning Hearing Board approved the SS. Franklin collaboration between Franklin Fountain and Bonnees Wondergardens on Scottdale Road. The HARB continues to make progress with Callahan Ward to realize the fruition of this great development project in our downtown. And the LEDC is making progress towards opening their wonderful collaboration with Penn State in the creation of the Maker Space in our downtown.
With the news from last Council of the receipt of the $200,000 Blight Remediation grant for the Lansdowne Theater, the long term work and goals of many folks in Lansdowne is paying off.
Moving into the summer, Lansdowne is Hot! A hot real estate market, a hot place for business, and a hot place to get a nice ice cream cone.
To the whole community: Please save the Dates:
- June 19th - Electronic recycling and shredding event in conjunction with East Lansdowne at Highland ; Ave. lot from 9-12 Thank Mayor Campuzano for working toward the creation of this event
- June 19th - Juneteenth Flag Raising at 12:00
- June 26th - Borough sponsored music and snacks at the Owen Lot to celebrate Pride month
- July 3rd - Fourth of July Parade
- July 24 - Liberia Day
Our diversity is our strength, our planning is moving Lansdowne forward, and folks in the Greater Philadelphia area are taking notice.
As our 4th of July slogan says “Lansdowne is Back in Business.”
The real estate market is quick. Businesses continue to come to our downtown, and Lansdowne is a green place to grow.
Finally, I hope everyone has an opportunity to celebrate Pride Month and find joy in this jubilant June. Hope to see you around town!
Sincerely,
Benjamin Hover
Council President