ALLENTOWN, Pa. — A fledgling organization that aims to help turn Center City Allentown into a regional powerhouse over the next five years is piling up funding.
Downtown Allentown Alliance was established this summer thanks to $300,000 in “foundational support” from the city and $114,000 in state funding secured by state Sen. Nick Miller, D-Lehigh/Northampton.
It’s since banked almost $400,000 to add to its growing account.
Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority, which oversees the city’s one-of-a-kind tax district known as the NIZ, agreed to give the nonprofit $150,000 over two years.
And the Downtown Alliance Community Development Initiative is chipping in $240,000. DACDI’s membership consists of major Allentown companies and organizations including Air Products, Alvin H. Butz Inc. City Center, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke’s University Health Network, the Leonard Parker Pool Institute for Health and PPL.
DACDI’s board voted last month to join the Downtown Allentown Alliance’s board as the “Founders Council.”
Seeking a 'cohesive identity' for downtown
Jill Meyers, who was appointed the alliance’s acting director in June, paid tribute to its many partners who have poured in hundreds of thousands of dollars to support its mission.
DACDI members’ “commitment to downtown Allentown has been instrumental in moving the [Downtown Allentown Alliance’s] vision forward,” Meyers said in a release.
Downtown Allentown Alliance Chairman Matt Malozi this summer said the city’s $300,000 in funding would help the nonprofit secure up to $1 million more.
It’s halfway toward that goal.
The nonprofit is set to use its $804,000 in funding to launch pilot programs including “block by block” ambassadors tasked with reporting any issues in the area, while offering recommendations and directions.
Its leaders also expect to soon launch a downtown-activation plan and a marketing campaign to “establish a cohesive identity” for and “shift outdated perceptions” of downtown Allentown, according to a news release.
