 |
|
|
BARC-Who are They?In 1989 Mon Valley Initiative (MVI) community organizers came to Brownsville to garner a group of community leaders to form a grass roots effort. They taught this group the essentials to organize a Community Development Corporation (CDC) known as Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation (BARC), form the articles of incorporation, register the 501c3 non profit status, and BARC was established. The MVI was established through a grant from Senator John A.Heinz who wanted to see the Mon Valley come back to life after the decline of the steel industry. BARC is a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization governed by an 11 member board of directors who meet monthly. BARC follows the By-Laws and policies established by the board using Roberts rules. It's mission is to revitalize this downtrodden community through a revitilization plan. The strategic location of the building positions it perfectly for drawing together the Northside and the downtown area, both historic districts. Neighboring buildings can take advantage of facade improvement programs; the renovated Flatiron Building will contribute significantly to the continued renewal of the Brownsville community. BARC produces a newsletter named the Enterprise to keep interested groups and residents informed of progress on the current BARC initiatives. BARC has completed many improvements to the community including a planter wall with a kiosk of events in the community, the community gateway program provided with a grant from the state to establish a floral bed visible to travelers, tree planting program, a community directory, and many other organizational involvement projects. The renovation of the Flatiron Building, one of BARC's projects, as a Heritage Center/Visitor's Center will enable the downtown area to capitalize on the growing tourism trade being drawn to the Nemacolin Castle. Plans are being developed to secure funds for the renovation of the annex of the building, called Flatiron II. Plans include expansion of the museum from the Heritage Center as well as thematic shops, other businesses, and a few overnight lodging spaces. The establishment of an Art Museum in the Flatiron Building to commemorate, Frank L. Melega, a local national renowned multi-talented artist, was made possible through a grant from the local philanthropic Eberly Foundation. Plans are forming to establish a Steamboat Museum to commemorate the history of boat buildings in Brownsville. Boat buildings have been an important part of Brownsville's history from the eighteenth century until 1996, when the last barge building facility left the area. The Steamboat museum is recommended in the plan provided by Makin Engineering Company for the Steel Industry Corporation and will complement their 'Rivers of Steel' journeys to sites along the Monongahela River. The Monongahela River Conservation Plan lists the river on the state's PA River Registry. |
Brownsville Area Revitalization Corp. is an equal opportunity provider. |
