‘Backbone of our commonwealth’: Gov. Wolf tours downtown Hanover with community leaders
August 9, 2019 • News
Hanover had a visitor Aug. 6 who drew the attention of many walking around downtown.
Gov. Tom Wolf (D) went on a downtown walking tour with Main Street Hanover Executive Director Justine Trucksess and other community leaders, including Mayor Myneca Ojo and borough council members.
“Communities like Hanover are the backbone of our commonwealth,” Wolf said. “They serve as a reminder of where we’re from and hold the key to our future.”
The group started their tour at the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce and continued downtown with stops at Young Manor, the Hanover Area Arts Guild, Bank Lane, the fountain in Center Square, the old Montgomery Ward building and Hanover Theater.
“The Wolf Administration has supported Main Street Hanover’s initiatives to build a lively, welcoming downtown corridor through two grants totaling $100,750 for a facade improvement program and architectural study, as well as a $25,000 grant for a downtown streetscaping design and beautification study,” according to a news release from Wolf’s office.
Trucksess said it was an honor to share Main Street Hanover’s work and plans with Wolf.
Gov. Wolf stopped at Miscreation and spoke to owner Mark Mathias about his business and how it has grown in Hanover.
A $1.4 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant from the state for the former Montgomery Ward building at 34 Frederick Street will help transform the old building into a restaurant and apartments. Theresa Crump and Anthony Berry, owners of the building, were there to show Wolf around their property. They were joined by Asma Horstmann and Jonathan Bowser of Integrated Development Partners as they showed blueprints of what they envision for the new building.
In order to get the grant money, the owners have to spend $1.4 million of their own money, and then the state will match with another $1.4 million.
As of now there are no plans for the Hanover Theater, but it is one of Main Street Hanover’s top priorities, Trucksess said.
Original article posted here.