Dear friends, neighbors, and fellow residents of Lansdowne,
The year 2022 proved to be a year of pivotal transformation for Lansdowne and 2023 promises continual growth for the Borough of Lansdowne and progressive growth for the years to come. The vision of Borough investment in public spaces and green places continues to foster shared community spaces for the development of the whole community and encourages private development in our community. While our community continues to emerge from the effects of COVID, 2022 proved that the fundamental strengths of our community are still sound and allow for a strong foundation to continue our growth.
This Council and Mayor work hard for the community. Although we may at times disagree in our community on the process of making change or debate in council on topics of community concern, we share the common belief in fostering a community with beautiful parks to walk or bike in, playgrounds for our kids to explore, programs for all ages and abilities to participate in, public spaces to meet our friends. We are a community where neighbors are friends and a short walk around the neighborhood creates chance meetings with folks who look out for each other.
To end the year, please allow me to express gratitude for a town that remains strong and looks to a promising future in 2023.
Thank you to all of the community members who have volunteered publicly - and anonymously - to keep the Borough beautiful, to all of the community members who have volunteered to create events and serve various local groups, to all of the community members who serve as appointed officials on Boards and Commissions. Thank you to all of the community members who participate and join in community activities.
Thank you for the hard work from all of the members of council, past and current, and our Mayor.
And, a special thank you to all of the Borough employees who make the community run.
Accomplishments and Events:
To end the year, Lansdowne Borough Council and Mayor Byrne would like to provide an overview of the major business taken up by Lansdowne Borough Council:
Virtual communications/ marketing strategy: updates to the website, E-newsletter; development of social media strategy to help market the Borough, Borough services fully transferred online.
Complete reopening of all Borough facilities and Borough meetings after COVID restrictions.
Sanitary sewer repair work: In 2022, to date, the Borough expended $76,400 on emergent sewer repair activities.
Completion of the Gateway Slope Park into Lansdowne on Baltimore Avenue and Scottdale Rd.
McKinley Tot Lot installation and completion.
Installation of Bicycle Facilities Plan with community bike ride and celebration.
Installation of solar workstations at Hays Park and the Lansdowne Public Library.
Celebration of business openings in the Lansdowne downtown: Launchbox opening with the LEDC and Camellia Coffee.
Purchase of a new ladder truck for the Lansdowne Fire Department.
Collaboration with Penndot for the installation of the Eastern Delaware County Bicycle Facilities on Lansdowne Avenue and Plumstead Avenue.
Passing and working towards the goals of Ready for 100.
Recommitment to Birdtown USA with programming for adults and children.
Collaboration with the William Penn School District on creating the “Black Lives Matter” mural.
Worked to review policies in the Lansdowne Police Department and identify areas of success and areas for reform.
Supported the progress of the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation: completed the land development and stormwater management plan; completed the Blight Remediation Program for approximately $300,000 with DCED to assist Theater in restoration.
Worked with Habitat for Humanity to bring new housing development in Lansdowne.
Development of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, which continues to foster the development of recognition of holidays and ceremonies to honor diverse groups within the Lansdowne Community and development of a process to evaluate and encourage Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our Boards and Commissions and hiring practices.
Application for two Community Development Block Grant Projects:
a) Funding to develop the Veteran’s Landing Parkway concept to augment the downtown “Lansdowne Landing” and “Veterans Park.”
b) Sanitary Sewer Project.
Creation of an Assistant Borough Manager Position.
Creation of a Deputy Police Chief Position.
Passage of a budget with a 0% Tax increase for next year.
Goals for the beginning of next year:
Collaborate with the LEDC for the creation of the Lansdowne Arts and Cultural Commission.
Facilities Planning Updates for Borough Hall, the Library, and Twentieth Century Club.
Event Planning for Borough wide events including Earth Day, STEAM Festival, Lansdowne Community Day, Juneteenth, Fourth of July, and more.
Develop sustainable policies for the Borough of Lansdowne.
Continue to work with the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation to bring the project to completion.
Work with Callahan Ward to bring affordable housing to Lansdowne.
Completion of the Facilities Plan for Borough Facilities.
Develop and work towards the goals of Ready for 100.
Secure funds for the installation of the “Veterans Parkway/ Landing.”
Begin work on the “The Landing/ Veterans Park” and implementation of the Walkshed Plan.
Hiring Assistant Borough Manager.
Hiring New Deputy Police Chief.
Complete the work for Police Department Accreditation.
Continue refinement to the Lansdowne Borough website.
Completion of the Comprehensive Plan.
When we enter the New Year, I will be establishing an ad hoc Committee in support of Lansdowne Community Day with Mayor Byrne, Will Griffin, former Mayor Tony Campuzano, and representatives of the LEDC and LBPA to assist with planning for the revival of the event
Happy New Year’s!
As 2022 comes to end, Lansdowne Borough Council is both proud of the accomplishments in the Borough this year and thankful to celebrate with all of the community the many successes in the community this year.
In 2023, Lansdowne Borough Council invites all of the residents to the many events in our community.
To all of my friends, neighbors and fellow residents, I hope to see you around the town.
Enjoy the Holidays to everyone in the community and Happy New Year!
Sincerely,
Benjamin Hover
President
Lansdowne Borough Council