Revitalize Springville announces its platform

Members of Revitalize Springville, an informal group designed to support political candidates who will work toward downtown revitalization, outlined a platform at a public forum held Thursday, Jan. 19 at Goddard Hall.

Members Alan Chamberlin, Rich VanOver and Seth Wochensky presented to a group of area businesses owners and residents. Chamberlin explained the organization’s desire to fine-tune a platform with community feedback and then support candidates in the upcoming village elections on March 20. He said that, while other groups may be involved in their own strategies of downtown revitalization, Revitalize Springville’s sole focus is on the political process and the engaging of citizens on these issues. He said, “We want to work toward creating a village government that provides leadership on these issues.”

Wochensky said, “We envision a community where you can live, work, shop and play. We envision a healthy, family-friendly community with a vibrant, dense downtown concentration of activity. We believe village government should play a proactive role in bringing about this vision as one piece of the overall solution and we want to elect effective leaders who not only have vision, but can move us closer to it. We want a forward-thinking village government that is prepared to meet the global challenges of the future.”

A platform was then outlined that included a focus on things such as a comprehensive master plan and staff evaluation, ways to create economic activity downtown using grant programs, tax abatements, legislation discouraging sprawl and promoting growth and the creation of an economic development coordinator.

The streetscape design was another issue, with a focus on historic preservation, enforcement of the village code with respect to older buildings, linkage, plans for green spaces and development of village gateways.

Revitalize Springville members advocated for green initiatives, using municipal utilities to create environmentally-friendly programs, supporting local green initiatives such as green roofs or solar panels, legislation that favors local food development and urban agriculture.

Collaboration and communication was discussed by many of the participants. Some said the village had exemplary collaborations, but others disagreed. Members of Revitalize Springville focused on better participation with civic and business groups as well as support for events and community-wide promotion with a proactive approach. They also support the increased funding of youth programs.

With only 76 people voting in the last village elections, the No. 1 thing members of this group said they seek to change is civic engagement and the raising of awareness on the issues. Several people filled out voter registration forms that evening. A website, Revitalizespringville.blogspot.com, was created to connect people to the process.

Revitalize Springville is asking for volunteers to make election day calls and participate in a door-to-door campaign. For more information, contact Wochensky at 592-0151 or thecol@highwayendfilms.com.

Article used courtesy of Wochensky.