Downtown Lock Haven president says organization was not consulted on recent Grove Street closure request

Angela Harding, president of Downtown Lock Haven Incorporated, addressed the council to clarify the nonprofitorganization's role, membership and funding and to respond to comments made at the councils prior meeting. Harding said Downtown Lock Haven is a 501(c)(3) membership organization with about 110 members that promotes merchants, beautification and local events and receives $16,000 annually from the city and $10,000 from Clinton County.

Harding said Downtown Lock Haven did not apply for the recent Grove Street street closure; rather, she said a business made the application, and the downtown board and manager had no prior knowledge or participation in that decision. She urged the council to involve Downtown Lock Haven earlier in such decisions so the organization can better represent the business community and help negotiate solutions when some merchants oppose street-closure proposals.

Harding described the group's work on facade grants, event programming (including Small Business Saturday) and banner programs, and said the organization will sit down with the city manager and council members to improve communication and collaboration ahead of the 2024 calendar of events.

She thanked the council for the city's financial support and asked the council to avoid characterizing Downtown Lock Haven as responsible for decisions in which the organization had no role.

Council members asked clarifying questions and the mayor and staff indicated follow-up meetings would be arranged to discuss coordination for 2024 events and planning.