Why We're Doing It

 Historic Little Italy used to be a vibrant, busy neighborhood full of shops and banks and friendly neighbors. (See the History section of this site for background information on the growth and developement of Historic Little Italy.) It was a good place to live and a good place to work. It was a safe place to raise a family.

But all neighborhoods go through cycles as they age. It is much easier to allow a neighborhood to fall into decline and decay than to work to rebuild and revitalize it. We live here. We choose to rebuild and revitalize.

The following articles present some of the findings from previous revitalization plans, as well as findings derived from the 2007 plan as compiled by the Poggemeyer Design Group, Kidder Wachter Architects, and and Boulevard Strategies, Inc., with the aid of the Planning Committee and with considerable input from residents and businesses in Historic Little Italy.

• Summary of SSJNN Neighborhood Survery from November 2000
  
  A summary of a neighborhood survey done by the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network from November 2000 reveals several aspects of the Historic Little Italy neighborhood that require atterntion.
• Summary of 2005 Plan
  
  This is a summary of the original Little Italy Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan from 2005, Not so much a plan as a confirmation of the problems facing the neighborhood with an emphasis on the fact that only the people who live here have the real power to make real change occur.
• Summary of 2006 Plan
  
  Excerpts from the City of Erie's Neighborhood Revitalization Project prepared by the Erie Department of Economic and Community Develop in 2006 as they pertain particularly to Historic Little Italy.
• Police Report from May 2006 through May 2007
  
  Summary of City of Erie Police Department Incident Report for 5/15/06 – 5/15/07 in the Little Italy neighborhood reveals the sort of crimes most prevalent in this neighborhood.
• Observations on Little Italy traffic counts from January, 2007
  
  Observations on Little Italy traffic counts from January, 2007. Tthe study of traffic patterns and numbers revealed that most people use Little Italy as simply a place to drive through on their way to someplace else.
• Key Issues in Little Italy: Negatives
  
  A brief overview of the key negative issues concerning Erie, PA's Historic Little Italy as derived from prior and current studies and from public input.
• Key Issues in Little Italy: Positives
  
  A brief overview of the key positive issues concerning Erie, PA's Historic Little Italy as derived from prior and current studies and from public input.