11 Lafayette Street
St. Marys, PA  15857
(814) 781-1718	Impact St. Marys Project Description

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A strategic plan is being implemented by a community wide initiative called “IMPACT ST. MARYS” and St. Marys is determined not to let this revitalization plan lay on the shelf as so many other plans have done in rural Pennsylvania. The following initiatives are being developed following the guidelines of the Downtown Blueprints.  Due to its central location, Downtown St. Marys is surrounded by people living in proximity to Downtown, who enjoy the convenience of being able to walk or drive a short distance to the heart of Downtown St. Marys. These local residents will always be extremely important customers and clients of Downtown.  In addition, maximizing the enjoyment of the visiting tourists will create new business opportunities as well as increasing the importation of dollars to the community through tourism. The expected total IMPACT ST. MARYS project investment will be $36,049,000 million.

 

St. Marys Apartments and Commercial Space – Canadensis Associates

 

Canadensis Associates is one project within a multi-phase development called IMPACT ST. MARYS.  The total revitalization will include a parking deck, an intermodal transportation facility, a new recreation area called Elk Creek Park, a new Sheetz Convenient Store, and several new residential and commercial space locations. Canadensis Associates was created to construct and operate a retail space at 74 Erie Avenue, St. Marys, PA.  The project includes 42,084 total square foot building area, of which 28,734 square foot will be new construction and 13,350 square feet will be rehabilitated space.

 

The intended use of the building will be a mixed use building with both commercial space for rent or lease, and a 26-unit rental residential space.

 

 

Marienstadt Haus - Single Family Housing Choice Project – To Be Developed

 

This project will involve the construction of 23 Two Story, 3-Bedroom units, 2 One Story, 2-Bedroom units, and 19 One Story Commercial Units.  The Commercial Space will be located on the first floor level of the structure in 19 of the units.  The commercial space will provide 593 square footage of working area and will include a work room, an office, and a one-half bathroom.

 

There will be two 2-Bedroom units that will provide H/C accessible units and will be located on the first floor level. Each of these units will have 1,186 square foot of living space with a living room, kitchen/dining room and a full H/C accessible bathroom.  In addition, the unit will have a pantry and a mechanical room accessible from the kitchen, and a washer and dryer closet accessible from the hallway.

 

There will be twenty-three 3-Bedroom units that will be located on the second, third and fourth floor levels. Each of these units will have 1,582 square foot of living space with a living room, kitchen and dining room on the second level with a pantry and a mechanical room accessible from the dining room.  The third floor level will include two bedrooms, a full bath, and a washer and dryer closet accessible from the bathroom.  The fourth floor will provide space for the third bedroom.  Of the 25 units, 11 units will be dedicated for use by individuals and families that have an income under 80% of the county’s median household income.

 

Marien Stadt Place - Elderly Housing Tax Credit Project – Almost Complete

 

Marien Stadt Place is located at 72 Erie Avenue in St. Marys, Elk County Pennsylvania. The 3-story building will have 24 one and two bedroom units.  Each unit will have approximately 620 square feet and all the units are designed to be handicap adaptable.  The Building will be a total of 24,795 square feet and will contain a Community room for use by both the tenant and the senior center, sitting areas.

 

Approximately 39% of the elderly, aged 62 and older are paying in excess of 30% of their income for non-subsidized housing and utilities in St. Marys. Marien Stadt Place will offer 17% of the units at 20% of the median income; 4% of the units at 40% of the median income 46% of the units at 50% of the median income; and 33% of the units will be offered at 60% of the median income. 

 

St. Marys has been a community in transition over the last 20 years with very little construction making the housing market for elderly extremely tight.  The community will benefit from this housing by providing the elderly from St. Marys and the surrounding smaller communities with much needed low-income housing. The elderly will have the opportunity to sell their existing homes, allowing them to enjoy the freedom of low maintenance living. The younger families, who do not wish to leave the area, will have the opportunity to purchase the existing homes, thus creating both a community and monetary benefit to the residents and merchants of St. Marys, as well as adding to the greater tax base of the community.

 

Parking Garage

Depot Street is a quiet street with very little traffic with a large amount of project site frontage.  The parking garage will be constructed south of Marien Stadt Place and Marienstadt Haus.    With these new housing units and almost all city services within walking distance of the proposed site and the proposed redevelopment of this entire area of downtown, the site is well situated and well suited for additional parking space.

 

On July 24, 2006, Governor Edward G. Rendell said “The commonwealth is investing $4 million to help complete an essential component of the ‘Impact St. Marys Revitalization Project,’ a multi-faceted plan that will breathe new life into this Elk County community.”

 

“We continue to make investments in communities like St. Marys to bolster economic growth and to improve the quality of life of our residents,” Governor Rendell said. “This comprehensive ‘Impact St. Marys’ plan will not only include housing, but also enhancements to parks, trailways and transportation facilities.”

 

Governor Rendell presented Mayor Sally Geyer with a check for $4 million to help the city complete construction on a three-level, 321-space parking garage on the site of an old industrial building and surface parking lot. Local developers hope the garage will serve as a transportation hub for other regional destinations.

 

‘Impact St. Marys’ is an ambitious plan being undertaken by the city, the local parking and redevelopment authorities, and Impact Pennsylvania. Total investments in the project could potentially reach $35 million.

 

The project will help transform downtown St. Marys. It includes plans for a 24-unit apartment complex that will offer affordable housing for older adults. A proposed Pennsylvania Housing Finance Authority Homeownership Choice project will also help the downtown area by attracting new residents and sparking additional business development.

 

The plan also includes green space. Planners expect to transform a tract of land near the garage into Elk Creek Park, creating the only green space area downtown through which Elk Creek will flow. Once completed, visitors will also find a pavilion, trails and restroom facilities.

 

The investment announced by Governor Rendell was made through the state’s Redevelopment Capital Assistance Program and the Growing Greener II initiative. With today’s announcement, the commonwealth has invested nearly $76 million in Elk County since 2003.

 

Intermodal Transfer Point - ATA

The visiting tourists want to see the Elk herds as they come out of the woods to viewing areas along the highways.  The highways are narrow and there is a lack of parking areas to make this activity safe and as enjoyable as it could be.  Creating an intermodal transfer point in St. Marys would allow visitors to park their cars and board buses that would then drive them to established viewing points and along known viewing areas.  This would not only maximize the enjoyment of the activity, but in turn create new local tourist opportunities for local businesses.  The Intermodal Transfer Point will take one-half of the first level on the parking garage and will have a higher ceiling level to provide access to buses to enter the facility.  There will be five buses owned and operated by the Elk County Transit Authority located at this facility.

 

Recreation

The area to the east, south and west of the Parking Garage and Propose Buildings will be developed into Elk Creek Park.  In the City of St. Marys there are very little green space and none with Elk Creek running through it.  In addition to the green area, additional improvements include volley ball and basketball courts, horseshoe pits, a pavilion, and restroom facilities will be constructed.  A partial trail will be developed and actions will be taken to connect this trail to the Rails and Trails system within the area.  Currently, the stream is lined by old foundations and upon completion; the stream band will be restored to its natural condition.  Access to the park will be from the sidewalk along Depot Street or through the parking garage.  This will add an esthetic quality to the area as well as assist in managing the creek as it flows through the City of St. Marys.  The feasibility study has been be funded by DCNR, and the City of St. Marys will be applying for a Growing Greener grant and funding from DCNR to finance the development of this recreational project.

 

Sheetz Convenient Store

Sheetz’s mission is "to provide fast and friendly service, quality products in clean and convenient locations." In 1952 Bob Sheetz founded the first Sheetz convenience store. Since then, they've grown to over 300 locations in 6 states and plan to double their work force in the next six years. Sheetz remains a privately owned family operated business and has earned the title of industry leader.  Sheetz has built a store in St. Marys along South Michael Street one block to the south from the Depot Street project. 

 

St. Marys Funding List

 

Sources and Uses of Funds

The HOME, HRA, and Building PA Sources and Uses of Funds will be a mirror image of each other because they are to improve the site at 74 Erie Avenue, St. Marys, PA.

 

HOME Application Sources and Uses of Funds

 

Building PA – St. Marys Apartments Sources and Uses of Funds

 

 

Parking Deck Sources and Uses of Funds

 

 

 

Footnote:

Marien Stadt Haus will be pursued at a later time, and nothing should be considered pending on this project.  Due to construction phasing and funding considerations, St. Marys Apartments moved forward and the HOME and HRA funds were discussed with DCED and it was decided to move the funds to the St. Marys Apartments.