NA9127.B5R
*00121968*

UPREHENSIVE PLAN

TOWN

BLOOMSBURG

PENNSYLVANIA
1974

CLIFTON

RODGERS & ASSOCIATES

PLANNING CONSULTANTS

'AndJ^sss

library

Bloomsbtirg TJ^

j\jft

NA9127.B5R

^,'1

*0012I968*

,0^

COMPREHEWSIl/E
TOa/W OF

FLAW

8L00MSBURG

)974

The. pfi2.pcJw.tLon

tkU

^zpO'tA:

iccia

{^^iancti.d

tivtoagk a Vlamtlng Giant (iKom tliz VzpcmXimnt
0^ CcmrmuXy Klf^aJjii, andoA. th& Pn.o'j^Zon6 oj^
Act ISA appMv?A July 7,
oi, acimhuU1972,
teJLQd by tiia BuJiQ.a.u. ol
Pi'.fTJtnx'jrg
Pe.nn6ijl~
;,

vania

CcmwumXij k^aUiA

Vq:>aA.ti\tnt

o^'

B/.0(};V;S3URG

VLkHHlUQ

Ttarju.ng

COmiSSWU

CoMultaix-ti

ANDRUSS LIBRARY

BLOOMSBUm

TOffJN

COUNCIL

1974

ALLEM REULEV, PRESIPEMT (MA/OR)
EmiARV KITCHEN, VICE PRESJVENT

Vonald PuX6zl
W^ZZiam Hanzy, Sn.
GzoKQZ Hamlngwcuf
LoJitdA G.
Jone4
KviQzlo Schzno

BLOO^iSBURG

TOiilN

OFFICIALS

7974

Vonatd A. Lm^^, Soticlton
8. VaUQ.1, Special SoticJJiOfi

ChoAlu

PauZ V. Jacobs, CoynuUxng So^cAoXaAy
GeAatd E. Vzpo, Szc/iztanjj and Zoyiing 0^{iZczfi
P. W. HaggeAty, Cltlz^ O)^ PotlcQ.
Bnacz KoZtzfi, StJiza,t CommU,i,lonzfi
GvwJLdLino. Kznn, Tarn Jfiza&ivnin.
T. Bfiycz 3cmu,
Taon Eng-cnzzfi
Hcuuiy "Bad" klbznt&on,

Code.

E^onczmznt

BLOOMSBUP.G PLANNING C0MMIS5I0W

1974

RALPH VILLON, CHAIRMAN
VAVE CONNER, VICE CHAIRMAN
MRS. t/IWNIE BENEEIELV, SECRETARV
Jack BKobyn
Boyd Buckingkam

O^^^lczn.

Digitized by the Internet Archive
in

2011 with funding from

Lyrasis IVIembers

and Sloan Foundation

http://www.archive.org/details/comprehensiveplaOOclif

BLOOMSBURG TOWN COUNCIL
1973

MARTIW LtrrZ, PRESWEMT [mVOR]
VONALV PURSEL, VICE PRESJVENT
Wittiam HdYity,

Sn..

Ge.oKQ(L Hzmlngwaif

G. Jo mi

iQ^toji

EdMOAd
A££en

BLOOMSBURG

ICitckzn.

Rmlzy

TOm

OFFICIALS

1973

VonaZd A.
ClxoAtoJ,

Louxia,

PujiAoJi,

SoticitoK

SpccA-ol Sotic/Xofi

Jacobs, Cotuatting StcAztoAy
Vqoo, SecAeto/it/ and Zoning O^-iczn.

Pcait V.

GeAotd

P. W. HaggoMtij, Clilz{^ o{^ PolU.cz.
Bnixcz KoZtzK, StAeeX CommU&iondfi
W. Edoa/id Tli,h<Lfi,
Town TazoSuAqji
T. BfLg.cz Jam(i6 , Toion Eng-inccn.

HaJiMj "Bad"

Mbcntion, Code

En{^oficQyn(mt

BLOOmBURG PLAWWIWG COUMTSSJON
7973

BOW BUCKWGHm,

CH AIRAIAM

VAVE CONMER, VICE CHAIRMAN
RALPH VILLON, SECRETARY
Maa. VinyiLc Bcncft-icld

Jack B/iobyn

O^lccn.

ACKNMLEVGEMEm
OuA appfi2.cAxvtioYi u, &lnt2.n.diLi expA.z4,6iz.d to tho&z agzncA,ej> and ofiganizationi) ioko6z coopQ.ficut<,\}z z^onZs hav& made. thU> Ktpofvt po44-cb£.e.
AdditlonaJUUj, many cJjtizziU, have. {,fiom tiinn to ttme. poojcd to ctcicoiA vafiloas
(Xipecti o{, commtuiLttj dzvQ.Zopmejtt.
Such tnpvut (s,fiom puhZ^c and pfvLvaXz 4ouAce6
h-iU bz.zn o{^ AjivaUiabtt hzZp ajt. comptzZing tixo, conczptuaiL plan {^ofi tlxz 8£.ooiuibcug o{i tomonAM.
Mamj tlianfu oaz pfio{i{^QAtd to aJU.. WJjih bz6t tocAhe* {^OA

continuzd
•*

pn.oi,pzfiU:ij

tn an eue^ changing znvA^fionmznt.

BtoomibuAg PZanning

Commti,4>A.on

BZoombung Toon CounciZ

BZoom^buAg loMn

O^Zdat&

CoZumbia

VZanning CommLd-iZon

CoZumbZa County RzdzvzZopmznt Authority

CoZxmbia County HouiAJig kuthofi/Xy

*•

Columbia County School VL^tnlct

Pznnybylvanla Vzpanimznt

o{,

CommunCty A^auUi

?znn6yl\jaivia VzpoAtmznt

0(5

EnviAonmzntaZ

Couyitij

Rzl>ouJLCZ^

Pznn^ylvanla Vopantmznt o^ TAanipofitatLon

S-inczAzZy,

CLIFTOM E. ROVGEPS AWP ASSOCIATES
Consultant

PLANNING 5TAFF
CONSULTANTS

CLJFTON

ROVGERS ANV ASSOCIATES

Robznt W. Llngte., A&ioclcutz

PLANNING ANV COORDINATION

VmnLi, E. HanyUgan
Vav-cd M.

Wlttiam

GRAPHICS

Vanizt El&znha/it
hlichaeZ L.

Iivio

SECRETARIAL ANV REPROVUCTJON

BonyUz

PcutfiicJ-a.

Gfi066

A. Gay

PaiM-cia A. Hzdman

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
-{-

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER ONE

POPULATION ANALYSIS

l-l

Population Trends .....
Population Projections
ncome
Poverty
Education
I

CHAPTER TWO

-2
-2

-3
-4

ECONOMY

2-1

The Labor Force
Emp oymen
Manufacturing
Bloomsburg State College Economic Influence
Retail Trade

2-1
2-1

HOUSING ANALYSIS

3-1

CHAPTER THREE

Residential Policy
Housing Conditions
Type of Structure
Vacancy Status
Value of Housing
Housing Demand and Supply
Size of Housing Units ....
Future Housing Needs
,

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

2-2
2-4
2-5

3-1
3-1

3-2
3-3
3-3
3-4
3-5
3-5

EXISTING LAND USE

4-1

Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Public and Semi -Pub lie
Open Space

4-2
4-3
4-3
4-3
4-3

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROPOSALS

5-1

ntroduction
osophy
Community Development Objectives
Methodo ogy
Land Use Terminology
Overview - Comprehensive Plan Proposals

5-1
5-1

5-2
5-3
5-6
5-8

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)

PAGE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

iO-l

Introduction
Definitions
Scheduling of Public Improvement Projects
Project Identification
Project Cost Estimates
Project Priorities
Implementing Agencies
Capital Improvement Budget
Preparing the Capital Improvement Budget
Municipal Finances
Capital Improvement Program

IO-l
IO-l

CONTINUING PLANNING

ll-l

10-4
10-4
10-4
10-5
10-5
10-5
10-6
10-6
10-8

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

FOLLOWS
PAGE

POPULATION TRENDS - 1950-1990

1-4

AGE SEX DISTRIBUTION - 1960-1970

1-4

STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS - 1973

3-2

DWELLING UNIT CONDITION

BLOOMSBURG,

I960 and

1973

3-6

EXISTING LAND USE MAP (BLOOMSBURG TOWN)

4-4

EXISTING LAND USE MAP (BLOOMSBURG AREA)

4-4

EXISTING LAND USE - 1973 (CHART)

4-5

COMPREHENS IVE PLAN PROPOSALS MAP

5-10

GENERALIZED LAND USE PLAN MAP

5-10

DEVELOPMENT ECONOM CS

6-6

DEVELOPMENT ALTERNAT VES
I

BLOOMSBURG AREA REG ONAL ACCESS MAP
I

7-6

INTRODUCTION

Comprehensive Planning is not new in Bloomsburg. The first comprehensive
plan for Bloomsburg was published in 1947 to guide growth and development
in the period of economic resurgence of the post World War II era.
Comprehensive planning, by its very nature, must be responsive to everything new
in order to be germane.
Thus frequent minor amendments are necessary and
major updating requiring a clear renunciation of goals and objectives is
required. Hence, in 1955 a new plan responsive to the changing times was
developed and published. This plan was "holding its own" until the disastrous flood in June of 1972. Since then rehabilitation of flood damaged
communities and revita izatlon of the economic base became the major concerns of many municipalities, including Bloomsburg.
Urban Renewal Projects,
and related activities such as "workable program" requirements created the
need to coordinate and consolidate the myriad of activities and programs
in Bloomsburg.
I

1973, Comprehensive Planning was again re-activated to evaluate the

post flood situation and to prepare an adjusted guide for the future of
Bloomsburg.

The preparation of this report represents a year of intensive planning activity on the part of the Planning Commission.
In one sense, it represents
completion of effort but is not an "end" or a point of relaxation.
In the
truer sense this report is just the beginning, the base or launching pad
Into the future.

Which way will Bloomsburg go from here? The Plan itself is not the answer,
although recommendations and goals are identified the extent of achievement
will be the direct result of the effort exerted by the total citizenry.
practice, a Comprehensive Plan must be an "open file" rather than a published, printed and bound report.
It must be regularly reviewed and evaluated as portions are implemented and as conditions change; then updated and
revised appropriately - but always in keeping with long-range development
goals and objectives of the community as a whole in light of limitations of
resources, both natural and economic.
In

Programs are included herein for land use, circulation, community facilities,
and public improvements, which are oriented to meet the needs of Bloomsburg.
The recommendations reflect the findings of the background information pulled
together and arranged to form a base upon which to build the future. Plans
for the future are not rigid and inflexible; rather, they have a pliant resiliency built in that permits them to take a knockout punch and come back
strong, and to adapt readily to both physical and technological change.

Appreciation is expressed to the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs,
Bureau of Planning for the advisory service provided to Bloomsburg; and for
administering financial aid provided through the planning grant under the provisions of Act I8A of July 7, 1972.
Appreciation is also expressed to all the individuals and organizations both
public and private who freely gave of their time and talent in the preparation of this report.

CLIFTON E. RODGERS AND ASSXIATES
-I-

CHAPTER ONE
POPULATION ANALYSIS

An analysis of both past and anticipated trends In population for Bloomsburg
Town is an essential prerequisite to planning for the most appropriate utilization of land in relation to community needs and objectives.
In this sense,
the size of the population to be served provides the basis for the development of plans for the most efficient and economic provision of community services and facilities as well as other categories of land use. The first portion of this chapter, therefore. Is an evaluation of past trends In population
size and an identification of anticipated growth based on historical patterns
and the relationship of the communities to the surrounding area.
The second
portion of the chapter will deal with the important social characteristics of
population such as incomes, poverty levels, and education.

POPULATION TRENDS
The chart "Age - Sex Distribution 1960-1970, Town of Bloomsburg" is a population pyramid, used to show the distribution of the population by age group
and sex for the two census years.
One of the first things to note about this
chart Is Its shape. The population pyramid for Bloomsburg Is not pyramidshaped at all. There Is a narrow base followed by a large concentration of
people in the 5 to 24 age group. The remaining distribution Is fairly uniAnother
form except the 65 years old and over, age category which is larger.
noticeable characteristic Is that there was a population loss or only a very
small gain In all the age groups from I960 to 1970 except for tv/o:
the 5 to
14 and the 15 to 24 age groups which experienced a large population Increase.
Comparing the left and right sides of the chart, one will also notice that
there are more females than males in every age group.
Table I- portrays
statistically what the chart shows graphically.
I

Table 1-2 compares the percentage population distribution by age of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, and Pennsylvania.
The most striking fact Is the concentration of population of Bloomsburg in the 15 to 24 age bracket. Over
thirty percent (30^) of Bloomsburg's population is in this group, compared
with 18.4? and 16.3? for Columbia County and Pennsylvania respectively.
This concentration of population is due to the presence of Bloomsburg State
College within the Town. Since the large percentage of these college students are 18 to 21 years old, they show up in the 15 to 24 age group.
From I960 to 1970 Bloomsburg's population did increase by 997 people.
However, this population increase was not due to natural increases nor due to
permanent in-migration. Rather, this population growth was largely due to
So as to
the large increase in the enrollment at Bloomsburg State College.
obtain a better perspective of the population situation. Tables 1-3, 1-4
and 1-5 are provided.
Table 1-3 shows that Bloomsburg has grown at a faster

l-l

Table 1-4 shows
rate than Columbia County or Pennsylvania by a large margin.
5-14,
15-24,
55-64,
The
and the 65
how Bloomsburg is growing by age groups.
and over age groups gained 1,870 persons while the less than 5, 25-34, 35-44,
and 45-54 age groups lost 873 people.
Overall, there was an increase of 997
people.
Again, it is necessary to point out the source of this population gain.
Table
1-5 shows the increase in enrol Iment at Bloomsburg State Col lege over the last
five years.
From 1969 to 1973 the student enrol Iment went from 3,537 to 4,368,
an increase of 831.
In the previous nine years, I960 to 1969, the total student went from 1,737 to 3,537, an increase of 1,800. Therefore, over the last
thirteen years Bloomsburg State College has gained 2,631 students. These college students are the major source of Bloomsburg's population increase.

POPULATION PROJECTIONS
The population projection is based on the answers to several questions. Will
Bloomsburg State College experience the same large growth in the I970's that
it did in the I960's?
Will Bloomsburg's local economy prosper or decline in
the I970*s? What kind of residential development will occur and at what density? Since 1972 the College enrollment has leveled off.
It appears that the
There also appears to be no large developments
local economy has stabilized.
being planned. Consequently, Bloomsburg's growth over the next ten to twenty
years will be rather small. This population projection is based on no substantial growth of Bloomsburg State College or local industries.
A sudden
change in the State's policy concerning higher education could drastically
alter future growth, but there is no way to foresee such an event.

Therefore, it is projected that by 1980 Bloomsburg will have a population
of around 12,000 and 12,500 people by 1990.
Table 1-6 gives the past trends
and future projections of population in Bloomsburg and several neighboring
areas.
According to these projections, Bloomsburg will become the major
population center in Columbia County with around twenty percent (20^) of
the County's population through 1990.
The Townships around Bloomsburg will
also continue to grow at a moderate rate.
I

NCOME

The existence of such a proportionately large number of college students also has a great effect upon the statistical income distribution levels in
Bloomsburg. Most col lege students are not earning a great deal of money
since they are still going to school. They still largely depend on their
parents for financial support. Yet some do appear in the income statistics.
Fortunately, the students can be largely separated from the remainder of
the population by using median incomes for families and unrelated individuals.
The two measures do not completely segregate college students and
non-students since there are married students, whose income levels would
be reflected by median family income statistics, and there are unrelated
individuals who are not students. However, the differentiation will give
a rough approximation of the welfare levels of both groups.

1-2

Tables 1-7 and 1-8 provide the statistics with which to analyze the income
situation in Bloomsburg. To begin the analysis, there will be examination
of how the income levels have changed in Bloomsburg from I960 to 1970.
There has been a dramatic shift in the distribution of families according
to incomes.
In I960, 73.0^ of the families earned less than $7,000 per
year.
By 1970 this percentage had been cut approximately in half to 36.7^.
In contrast, in I960 only 9.1^ of the families earned $10,000 a year or
more.
By 1970 the figure had more than tripled to 33.1? of the families.
Obviously, there was a dramatic shift upward in the family income distribution between I960 and 1970. These increases are also reflected in the
comparisons of median family incomes of I960 and 1970.
In I960 median
family income in Bloomsburg was $5,367. By 1970 it had risen by more
than $2,700 to $8,099.

To put Bloomsburg's income level in the proper perspective, comparisons
with County and State income levels are employed.
It would appear that
while incomes have risen sharply in Bloomsburg they have still not kept
pace with Pennsylvania levels. While 49.0^ of Bloomsburg's families
earn less than $8,000 per year, only 21.2% of Pennsylvania's families
are in this income group.
At the same time only 9.4? of Bloomsburg's
families earn $15,000 or more per year while 18.3? of the State's families are in this income bracket.
Bloomsburg has not kept pace with median family income levels of Pennsylvania.
In I960 median family incomes in Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania were $5,376 and $5,719 respectiveBy 1970 this income gap had widened to more than $1,400 with an
ly.
$8,099 median family income in Bloomsburg and $9,559 median family income in Pennsylvania. Obviously Bloomsburg has not kept pace with the
State.
On the positive side, Bloomsburg does have a slight income advantage over the remainder of Columbia County.
Table 1-9 makes the effect of the college students on income levels obvious.
The median income of unrelated individuals in Bloomsburg is $922 per
person per year, only 41? of the Pennsylvania figure of $2,235. The people of Bloansburg are not really that poor. Because they are attending
College, the students can only work part time and during vacations.
They
still depend on their parents for the large portion of their support, however, their parents' support does not appear as income.
Hence, their leThis
discussion
vel of welfare appears low although it really is not.
the
welfare level
leads the way to an obvious question.
What really is
in Bloomsburg?
The question leads to the next section of the chapter
which deals with poverty.
POVERTY
The poverty problem in Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania is described in Table
1-9.
A total of 1,489 people or 15.3? of Bloomsburg's population was below the poverty line in 1970, as defined by the official U.S. Census.
The poverty statistics used in the U.S. Census and presented herein are
based on a definition derived by the Social Security Administration in
1964 and subsequently modified by a Federal Interagency Committee in 1968.
The definition provides a range of poverty income levels adjusted by such

1-3

factors as family size, sex of the family head, number of dependent children
under 18 years old, and farm and non-farm residence. These proverty thresholds range from $1,487 for a female individual 65 years old and over living
on a farm to $5,116 for a non-farm family with a male head and seven or
There are several components to this poverty population.
more persons.
Five
hundred or about one-third of the persons below the poverty line are persons
65 years of age or older.
These persons must live off social security, their
savings, public assistance, and/or friends and relatives.
It is these elderly persons that comprise the biggest portion of the poverty population.
The
second group is the unemployed.
It is estimated that they and their dependents comprise another third of the poor.
Another group is those people who
are working, but because of a variety of factors (no ski Is, lack of opportunity, illness, large families, etc.), do not earn enough to be above the
poverty mark.
I

Comparing the figures for Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania, it becomes evident
that there is a poverty problem in Bloomsburg.
\5.5% of Bloomsburg is below the poverty line compared with 10.6^ of Pennsylvania.
About one- third
of the elderly are impoverished in Bloomsburg which compares with 24.1* in
Pennsylvania. While Bloomsburg has relatively more people below the poverty line than Pennsylvania, it has a much higher percentage receiving
public assistance.
223 of the 245 families (91^) below the poverty line
are receiving public assistance.
This is a much higher percentage than
in the remainder of Pennsylvania where less than sixty percent (60?) of
the poor families receive public assistance.
EDUCATION
Due to the existence of Bloomsburg State College in the Town and the educational level of the staff necessary to operate such an institution, the educational levels in Bloomsburg are above the County and State norms.
625?
of the population 25 years and older in Bloomsburg are high school graduates as compared with 52.4? in Columbia County and 50.3? in Pennsylvania.
The effect of the Col lege is even more pronounced when one looks at the
percent of the population 25 and over who are college graduates.
12.6?,
6.1?, and 8.8? of those 25 and over are college graduates in Bloomsburg,
Columbia County, and Pennsylvania respectively.

1-4

;

o
<T>

Z tn HI ^
O = <J
« z
<
t- 2 ui £
< UJ
-1 O

Irt

•

t**

<
Z

— J

o
a u

^
<

a c
O i
3

liSi
oO= <

CD
91
I J ? 3

o
ID
CD

Q
z:
UJ
or

2
o oo
h<
<.

1^
en

ZD s*"
>• ^
CL

SQNVSnOHi

NOLLVlfidOd

o
O
o
CL
!«,

(T
UJ

—

Z
O

(/>

3
z

Iu. a:

^'^
Q

(/>

o i

o <

UJ
iti

ni3

o
IT

3
Q.
o

UJ
(T

a
3
X

CD
.J

o
""

1<n

go:

o
q:

1/5

ID ss >CD «^ ^

a
3
_i
O
z

O
1

Q-

^^
>-

I-

UJ
en

TABLE IPOPULATION DISTRIBUTION BY AGE AND SEX
IN BLOOMSBURG
1960-1970

I960

Aqe
Less than 5

5-14
-

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

881

457
763

700
1,596

338
754

362
842

3,576
1,058
993
1,123

1,730

1,311

585
656
464
509

424
732
1,137
568
705
770
584
802

1,219
1,387

525
476
482
544
498

1,846
533
517
641
675
889

10,655

4,933

5,722

11,652

5,347

6,305

1,495

15 - 24

25
35
45
55
65

2,054
1,150
1,290

34
44
54
64

1,426
1,048

& Over

TOTAL

1970

Total

917
582

Includes Bloomsburg State College Students.

SOURCE:

U.S. Census of Population
Bureau of the Census
U.S. Department of Commerce.

TABLE 1-2
POPULATION DISTRIBUTION BY AGE GROUPS
( In Percent)
1970

Co umb a

Town Of
Bloomsburg

Under

7.9

10.5
11.9

100.0

15-24

30.6

9.1

TOTAL

Pennsylvania

11.6
12.9
10.3
10.8

6.0
13.7

34
44
54
64
and Over

7.6
17.8
18.4
10.5
10.7
12.7
10.7
11.6

5-14
25
35
45
55
65

County

8.5
9.7

1-5

19.1

16.3
II.

TABLE 1-3
POPULATIONS OF BLOOMSBURG AND COLUMBIA COUNTY
I960 and

1970

Town

Co umb a
County

Bloomsburg*

I960

10,655

53,489

19.9

1970

11,652

55,114

21.1

BIcxxnsburg

*Shown as a percent of County

POPULATION INCREASES FOR BLOOMSBURG,
COLUMBIA COUNTY AND PENNSYLVANIA
I960 and 1970

Percent
Increase

Population
ncrease
I

Bloomsburg

997

9.4

1,625

3.0

474,498

4.2

Columbia County
Pennsylvania

TABLE 1-4
POPULATION CHANGES BY AGE GROUPS
IN BLOOMSBURG
I960 to
1970

I960

1970

5-14

881
1,495

700
1,596

15-24

2,054

3,576

1,150
1,290
1,426
1,048

1,058

Less than 5

25
35
45
55
65

34
44
54
64
and Over

TOTAL

993

1,311

1,123
1,219
1,387

10,655

,652

1-6

Popu lation
Ch ange
.

181

+
101
+ 1,522
92
297
-

303

+
+

171

997

Percent
Change
- 20.5

6.8

+ 74.1
8.0
- 23.0
- 21.2
+ 16.3
+ 5.8

9.4

CM
CO

CTv

_
(0

CT>

CO
VO

—
in

*
CN

—

U3
r-

r^
ro
to

o
o
vO

m
fO

•V

in
>o

Tt
ON

00
in

—

%
(N

o«
—

— c
—s

r<-i

IN
ON
CO

ON
00
in

C\]

CO
UD
K1

(7>

O
ON
_
o

•«s-

in
ro

T
o

Kl
(N

^
CM

•«f

rsi

_
(0

00
in

(SI

iO
in

v\
K\
in

t
-a-

^
o
'S-

(N
CM

NO
vO

CTv

o
^
—^

Cft

NO
"*

CO
>»
^
CM

—
O

r~
On
ON

C3N

o>
>T
ON

•^
a\
CO

O
Ul

CSJ

CM
CM

_l UJ

-J
H
2Oo
2
lu o UJ
S
D
_1 UJ —
in _i 1- to ro
<: UJ r^
—o
d: H d: o\
to
z
UUJ UJ
-1
ooo
03 UJ d:
<S 3
UJ o\
OQ O

Kl
ID

o
h-

^iD

ro
ON

rON

c
0)

00
ON

K-1

CT>
'^T

(JN

CM
ON

C7>

—

Vi3
=J8°Emm

ID
K\

o
o

^-^

o
^
r^

r~
in
ON

CJN

<»
(M

lO
r(JN

s
-_
10

o
—
c^
VD
c^

cr
0)

c
0)

r~
rco

in
CM
r~~

00
NO
>*

o
<*

o
ON
00

—
o
in
O
^

NO
r00
A

rro
NO
n

1^
—

r~
lo

ON
CO
00

8
•^

1
—
o
1-

oo
0)

+ID

»lO

in
0)

t
o

•-

o
c

1
Qo

o©

-(-

H
1

3
U.

1-7

•
-J

o
H-

n*
Z3

)

o
o
VO
to

o
o
in

o
o

o
o
VO

o
o
CN
—
—

O
O
in

—

"a-

CM
in
VO

O
O

O
o
CN
CM

o
U-

<
z
cc
o<
H
2:
oO
UJ —
-> Q
2
a: :3
<n ui

O
O
O

IJJ

Q
z:
<

O
O
•a-

CTv

Q)
«

ra>

•*

in
r--

CO
^
K->

^
CM

•*
r-

CNJ

—

«k

"~*

K^
l- r^
o\

•^

—
—

U
3

•^

in
in

^
<^

+- -H

C C

1^8
_i

•z.

CO
CO

_j
Z5 CD

Q-

CM
in
VO

VD
cr\

in
in
vO
^

VD
in
CM
•^

in
«»
«^

—

in
cr\

VO
<^

—

00
in
CM

ro
in
bO
•^

^r\

ro
tn

4co

(/)

2
—

m Q
< 2
1- z <c
UJ

O
O
CO

cc
=3
CO

^^=)

—

VO Q1

o
o

2: +o\
CO

3
C in
<D c

«k

++-

3
in
c

"*
—

CO
•

r^
0^

c
g

o
L.
O
CD

c
O

O
o

*E
CD

—

o
4C
O

E
3
o

CO
LU

O
ce
o
to

tro
...

•4-

E
3
..—

•

—

r0^

H
ro

— ^
u 8-2
.

in
in

<
c
in

CJ)

.—

—

—
Q)

c c
c c
c c

Ql Q-

in
0^
en

c ©
3 x:

s1-

3
1

•

•*

tn
in

c:
Q)

CJ
x:

•<3«k

5^0.

£1

>in

>J3

•

c
ro
^>

"=!

K^
in

x:
+-

•^

D-

—

«-

cowO
ID

o>'^r~rovor^coco'3-a»cvj

woe—

'3- CT>

>»

—

o
O

—

ro Oi

ir\ «a-

'3-

^
—

—

-"a-

CM •^

O
o

•f-

>J^ +-

e c
3 Z3
-~ o
o O

tlSl

o
r~

in
0)

«—
•_

•^\or~K>r-c^(NCMOir\ommK>cM

—

CM'3-invDCT\OOOOOf^CT»vO

£-

—O

o
O

ooo
-^
— hO —
"sT

r~-

in in

o
o

G\ U-

a
c

o
o
o

r^
1

OO^^O^OfAinCM — o>
^o — 'd-t^'^vO'^rsjinrMcTi
m'g-v}-mvO'>g-'vrcrv'^vor--

O
o

C7^

"d-

+ +

inmooO"^OLnvococor~
•^

cr\cor^vocO'3-omrMKO

r^'^

+ + + +

+ +

—

—
—

CMCM

(D i-O

—

+ + + +

cvio
vou^

Csl

XI a^

fl)

10
fl)

(A
LU
t~I

:•>
•~~

O
O
CJ —

<
I

<
U-

^—
•—

6«.

E:
(0

CTN

CTv

UJ
_j
CD >-J

inooooocMrn — cocMinoo"*
— K\ln«Dtnc^^-CMO^-c^J — r-cMO

O
O
O

in in vo
in hO
ro

—

—
"^

r^ CM

o
o

cn
iZ3

M-

B
O

:^
--

—
cy>

u
<D

F
3

2
o

in
CD

•—

—
•

oin —
—

oinvDcsivOM-'^rohO'^

^cofOvo^^'^c^f^r^ — ^^ — com
CM — t^CMCNhOm —

in
0)

H- .—

O—

K^cMcriinc7\inr~-hOcooo

—

vo^
CMO

tOinCOCMK^vDCMvDvO';l-vO

CTv

O
O

CTv

'^ r^ \o '^
cj\
-vf

r- CM

—

H-

O
^
7^
—

L
(D

10
0)

—

st'srincsirsicomcorNjcjN
crv«;3-'vi--^com";tr~-comvo
CNir^m'^d-f^

—

cmcm

rsi

—

1ro

Ll_

0^ 0^ Qn On On 0\

CTn

Ox On On On On On

O
O
O

OONCTnonOnCTnCTnOnCTnCTNonONCTnon
OCTnC7nOnC7NCJnCTnC7NOnC7nC7nOnO*C7n

in
CD

E
O
O
c
>—

—>-

O- —^•^^•.•^•.•i*^**k^iKt_
o
— CMrn'*in\or~-cooN — •^'S-ctn
cm ^ s:
fcefa<»<y=>t/»«>^fe<»t«>fa^t<»fa<^<.Ofc^t/»*>^
c

_J*^t/»fa«»*p«)b9V=»t^b^t/»fc^b^b^«=<^t/0

(/)

— CMrO'^ini^r-cooNOCsiinino
<N in
1-9

»*

—

«><» fc<»

*/»

jr
1—
-J

<
H
O

';f

oooooooooooooo
^n^i^«,«K».«^*k«h«t*««

•>

M-

JCOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
-f-OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

On CJN
On CTn C3N
ON C^ ON
CJN

•>r--

^
e

lJ_

lA
ui
Q)

<D
1_

CM s:

L
O

oo
o
oo
o
o
o
o» o« o» o«
"^ 00 in in
— (N
fc^ fe^ fe^ fe^

o
o

TABLE 1-8
MEDIAN INCOMES
I960 and

I960

Median Family Income

1970

Bloomsburg
Town

Pen nsy Ivania

5,376

4,855

5,719

804

896

1,467

3,453

4,130

5,031

8,099

7,958

9,558

922

1,410

2,235

2,775

6,237

7,954

Median Income of Unrelated
Individuals
Median Income of Families and
Unrelated Individuals

Columbia
County

1970

Median Family Income

Median Income of Unrelated
Individuals
Median Income of Families and
Unrelated Individuals

l-IO

TABLE 1-9
POVERTY IN BLOOMSBURG AND PENNSYLVANIA
1970

Number of Persons in Families
Below the Poverty Level

748

Number of Unrelated Individuals
Below the Poverty Level

741

Number of Persons Below
the Poverty Level

1,489

Number of Persons 65 and Over
Below the Poverty Level

500

Number of Families on Public
Assistance

223

Total

Percent of Population Below
Poverty Leve
Percent of Families Below
Poverty Level
Percent of Elderly Below
Poverty Level
Percent of Families Receiving
Pub ic Assistance
I

Bloomsburg

Pennsylvania

15.3

10.6

9.0

7.9

33.6

24.1

8.2

4.6

—

•^

c
ro
—>
>.
in

^>B

00 r~ in

•

(vj

•

in "*

r-~

vo in

o — r~
m to
•

•

r>-

rsi

-^
K^

c o
c

•

ro
•

o
in

00
•

Q) *9.l

X)
0)

E
O

—

<+-

•^ CD

—

vo vo

o
—

tn T^

CM
in

CM
vo

o
o
o

r—
ro

o
fe«.

•

'd•

•

o
—o
^

•

'i-

•

c^ vo vo

—

(!)

"^r

—

in in
00
tn

in a\ hO 00
CM in

o
—

—

CTs

'* r^
in tn

in
"sj-

—

—3 V8.

o
f- O E
< r- 3
tU O 0^ ^
-> tD —
>en o
< UJ J3

E O

en
L.
(D
(D

—

CT>

—
— in
o
o
•^ CM —

CM
CM cr\
vo CM

o^ r^
r~ vo
CM

CM
vo CM
>*

—

t-~

—

C
(0
0)

in
CM

Csl

C3^

sj-

00
vo

o
'=t

en
L.

in
CM

c
O

D3
u
o
w
ro

tf>

L.
(D

£8o
CO

ro
c:
Q)
ffi

c
o

—

x: hO
r~-

LO
j:

1-12

—

—
—
oo

ro
i-

CD
ffi

X-

—

ro
Z3

u
o

8
U

-^ vo

«
oo

C
©
o
1©

c
©
o
1©

CHAPTER TWO
ECONOMY

The Tc^n of Bloomsburg has long been a leading center of economic activity
In Columbia County.
Its mixture of manufacturing industries, retail and
service establishments and higher education facilities has made Bloomsburg
a viable community.
Recently, there has been a slowdown in the economic
growth in the Town.
Like so many other downtown areas Bloomsburg's economy has suffered due to the dispersion of retail activities and industries
from the Town to the suburban shopping centers and industrial parks outside of the urban core.

Nevertheless, Bloomsburg remains as a major shopping center in the region
and with the continued presence of Bloomsburg State College and manufacturing industries its function as a retail and service center will continue.
In addition to generating commercial activity, the College itself is a major employer.
On should also not forget the core of Bloomsburg's economy,
manufacturing. The presence of twenty-five firms employing over three
thousand people insures Bloomsburg's economic existence.
THE LABOR FORCE
Central to any economic analysis of a community is the characteristics of
its labor force.
Tables 2-1 and 2-2 illustrate the character of Bloomsburg's labor force. 35.1^ of Bloomsburg's labor force is in the 45 to 64
age group.
This concentration becomes more significant when compared to
Pennsylvania's labor force. Only 21.6^ of Pennsylvania's labor force is
between 45 to 64 years old. This difference of over \5% shows that BloomsThis fact
burg has a higher concentration of older workers than the state.
could be a serious handicap to Bloomsburg in trying to attract new industries.

Table 2-2 explains the various reasons why over 4,000 of Bloomsburg's people are not in the labor force.
There are three basic groups of people
not in the labor force.
They are:
(I) 1,798 students enrolled in high
school and at Bloomsburg State Col lege; (2) over a thousand women who are
housewives; and (3) over a thousand retired persons in the Town.

EMPLOYMENT

Table 2-3 describes the employment situation in Bloomsburg and how it has
960 's employment in Bloomsburg grew
changed from I960 to 1970.
In the
However,
by 535, from 4,366 to 4,902, representing a 12.3% increase.
these employment increases were not spread evenly throughout the various
sectors of the economy.
From I960 to 1970 there were six areas in which
exceptional growth occurred while there were six employment areas that
experienced rather large decreases in employment opportunities. The six
1

2-1

"growth" sectors were:
(I) Other retailing gained 83 jobs, an increase of
15.3?; (2) Hospital and medical services added 137 employees, a 69.2? increase; (3) Public education, which includes Bloomsburg State College, had
an increase of 323 employees or 100.65?; (4) The professional and related
services sector increased by 84 jobs or 53.8?; (5) Public administration
added 65 workers, an increase of 69.!?; and (6) The manufacturing sector
had an increase of 79 jobs or 4.8?. Together these six economic sectors
accounted for 771 new jobs in the ten years from I960 to 1970.

There was also some negative trends In the employment with six areas showThey were:
(I) the textile and apparel
ing major declines In employment.
industry lost 138 jobs, a decrease of
I.I?; (2) wholesale trade decreased
by 44.4? or 67 jobs; (3) food and dairy stores experienced a loss of 34
jobs or 26.2?; (4) there was a loss of 62 jobs or 33.0? in employment in
eating and drinking places; (5) finance. Insurance, and real estate declined by 92 employees, representing a 56.1? decrease; and (6) transportation related industries lost 67 jobs, a decrease of 33.7?. Collectively,
these industries lost 460 jobs in the decade.
I

Manufacturing remains as the largest sector of the Bloomsburg economy.
With over 35? of the total employment its importance to Bloomsburg cannot
be ignored.
Although manufacturing dominates the economic picture, the
importance of other sectors also cannot be ignored.
Retail trade accounts
for 17.4? of the employment. The third largest employment area is public
education, including Bloomsburg State College as well as the public school
system.
The Importance of this employment area Is further demonstrated by
the fact that it is the fastest growing economic activity in Bloomsburg,
doubling Its employment over the last ten years.
Public education now
employs 13.0? of the working labor force. Together these three areas
(manufacturing, retail trade, and public education) account for about
two-thirds of the employment in Bloomsburg.
To serve as a basis of comparison. Table 2-3 also gives employment figures
for Columbia County and Pennsylvania. The employment concentrations in
manufacturing and retail trade are present in both Columbia County and
Pennsylvania. There is a difference when public education employment
figures are- compared.
Public education accounts for 6.3? of the employment
in Columbia County and only 4.8? in Pennsylvania.
These figures point out
Bloomsburg's role as a major educational center in Pennsylvania.

MANUFACTURING
Since manufacturing is such an important component of the local economy,
closer examination is necessary. Table 2-4 gives a picture of manufacturing sector in Bloomsburg and Columbia County and how it has changed
from 1962 to 1972.
Overall, both Bloomsburg and Columbia County have
increased their manufacturing activities.
From 1962 to 1972 Bloomsburg
has added seven firms while Columbia County has added fourteen.
In
terms of manufacturing employment Bloomsburg added 563 jobs between
1962 and 1967 but lost 200 jobs between 1967 and 1972.
Columbia County
has had a steady increase, gaining 1,555 in the period 1962-1972.
Even

2-2

though Bloomsburg has lost some jobs in the last five year period, it still
is a large manufacturing center, containing 29.3? of Columbia County's manufacturing employment. The table also shows that the wages in Bloomsburg and
Columbia County are compatible, that is, while Bloomsburg has 29.3? of the
County's manufacturing employment, it also receives 29.3? of the County's
wages.
At this point it becomes necessary to introduce and explain several technical terms.
"Value of production" means the monetary worth of all the
goods produced by manufacturing firms in that area in that year.
For example, in 1972 the twenty-five manufacturing firms in Bloomsburg produced,
or had a value of production of, $79,459,000 worth of finished products.
Another term is "value added by manufacturer" which is the difference betv/een the cost of all the raw materials and the value of production.
Simply, it is the monetary value added to raw materials by the production
process.
A third term is "capital expenditures" which is defined as the
amount of money invested by firms to maintain or expand their capacity
to produce.
So as to make these terms more meaningful in their reference
to Bloomsburg and Columbia County, they were reduced to relative terms.
Wages and salaries were modified to a per worker per year figure, value
added by manufacture was changed to value added per employee, and capital
expenditures were changed to capital expenditures/establishment.
In this
way, comparisons can be made.
As Table 2-4 shows the wages per employee in Bloomsburg and Columbia County' are approximately equal.
Comparing the figures between the County and
Town for value added/employee in 1972 raises an interesting question.
Why
the $1,729 difference between the two? The answer is to be found in value
added/employee figures and the industrial mix of the tv/o areas.
Seven of
Bloomsburg's twenty-five manufacturing firms produce textile mill products
while only fifteen of Columbia County's 123 firms produce textiles.
It is
the concentration of the textile industry that explains the difference in
value added because the textile industry tends to have a lower value added
The capital expenditures per establishfigure than most other industries.
ment figures give some indication of the future of manufacturing because it
is these large investments that indicate whether or not a firm is going to
cease, maintain or increase production.
Since the average capital expenditures per establishment in Bloomsburg are more than $165,000 per year, there
would seem to be an indication that the Bloomsburg firms intend to maintain
or increase production over the next five to ten years.

Table 2-5 shows the leading manufacturing industries in Bloomsburg and Columbia County in 1972.
92.3? of Bloomsburg's manufacturing employment is
accounted for by fifteen firms. These firms also represent 64.7? of total
employment and are the cornerstone of Bloomsburg's economy. Of these fifteen firms the seven that produce textile mill products are of particular
importance since they account for 52.7? of the total employment in the
Town.
This concentration of employment in one product or group of reOne is forced to ask the question.
lated products is important to note.
What would be the effect upon Bloomsburg if there was a serious decline
or depression in the textile products industry? A layoff of a thousand

2-3

or more persons could be possible. A broadening of the industrial base,
that is, the addition of new industries other than textiles should be encouraged. This encouragement should not be at the expense of existing
textile industry for textiles will continue to be the core of Bloomsburg's
employment.
Instead, new industries s hould be of the type that would cushion the effect of cyclical changes in the textile industry.
Perhaps
Bloomsburg could be very successful in obtaining industries that are attracted by the presence of colleges. Such manufacturing firms could include publishing companies, data processing, electronics, scientific
equipment firms, etc.
Table 2-6 gives the employment picture of Columbia County from June, 1972
to April, 1973. This table was included because it contains the most recent data available of the employment picture in the Berwick-Blooms burg
labor market area.
Several things should be noted.
First, between June,
1972 and August, 1972 there was very little change in the employment picture which indicates that adverse effects to the local economy by Hurricane Agnes in June of 1972 were negligible.
Unemployment over the period
has been somewhat high, fluctuating from six to seven percent.
Also noteworthy is that manufacturing continues to dominate the employment picture
with about Al% to A9% of the total employment.

BLOOMSBURG STATE COLLEGE ECONOMIC INFLUENCE
It would be impossible to measure the full economic value of Bloomsburg
State College to the Town,
No survey could measure the added earning
power of residents of the community, which has come as a result of the
education that Bloomsburg State Col lege has offered since its founding
in 1839.
More important still, the spiritual, moral and intellectual
benefits to the community and to individuals can never be evaluated by
any quantitative analysis.
The following analysis, therefore, is only
a rough attempt at measuring the economic impact of Bloomsburg State
College on the Town of Bloomsburg.

The prime economic movers in a community are the basic industries; those
activities which are based primarily on the sale of goods and services
outside the local area, or which are supported by non-local revenue
sources.
It is these basic activities that provide the money to pay for;
an area's imports and also serve as a base upon which local "service" acUnlike service activities, the capacity for growth
tivities can be built.'
of basic industry is not restricted by local demand or income levels.
Furthermore, its expansion also generates a concomitant secondary growth in
the service industries.
In short, basic industries should be regarded as
the foundation of a community's economy.
Bloomsburg State College is a
basic industry exporting its product, higher education, throughout the
country.

Walter Isard, Methods of Regional Analysis (Cambridge, Mass.; The M.I.T.
Press,

I960), page 190.

2-4

The problems of measuring the economic impact of the College can be classified under two general categories.
First, how much money flows into
the Town as a result of the College? Secondly, how much does the College
and its students spend in the Town for services, supplies, and materials
necessary for their operation and maintenance? Obviously, not all of the
purchases are made within the Town for in the surrounding area competitive
establishments draw a proportionate part of the retail dollar.

With over 4,600 full and part-time students at Bloomsburg State College,
it is the Consultant's estimate that over $10 million Is brought into the
Town through tuition, student housing, deposits and fees, books and other
Another $2 million Is brought
educational materials, and living costs.
in by students attending the smaller summer session at the College.
The
impact of the salaries of the professors and non-professional employees
accounts for another $7 million.
A conservative estimate of the economic
impact of Bloomsburg State College on the Town of Bloomsburg is $19 mi Iion per year.
I

obvious that the loss of Bloomsburg State College would be a serious
blow to Bloomsburg's local economy.
Bloomsburg State College is one of the
Town's leading economic enterprises, and one of the goals of the Town's
Comprehensive Plan should be to ensure the continued growth of Bloomsburg
State Col lege.
It

RETAIL TRADE
Table 2-7 shov.'s the importance of retail trade in the Town of Bloansburg.
In 1967 Bloomsburg had 207 retail establishments with sales of almost $32
million, a payroll of more than $3 million, and an employment of 1,080.
Bloomsburg had more than forty percent of the County's sales and Al.5% of
the payroll In the County in 1957.
With the rise of suburban shopping
centers since 1967, Bloomsburg's percentage share of Columbia has undoubtedly decreased.
trade Industry to
However, the importance of the retai
Bloomsburg is still very large and will continue to be so.
I

2-5

TABLE 2-1
BLOOMS BURG LABOR FORCE
(Persons 16 Years Old & Over by Age and Sex)
1970

Pennsylvania

BloomsbiJrg
Of
Total

Of
%
Total

2.2
9.7

3.3
5.6

Male

Aqe
16 18 -

Total

113

265
277

24
34
44
64

227
252
218
504
466
946

769

492
529
360
770
777
1,715

Over

151

100

251

4.9

23.7
25.7
21.6
5.2

2,816

2,191

5,007

100.0

20-21
22
25
35
45
65

Female

TOTAL

142

266
311

10.4)
7.2)
15.2
15.3
35.1

14.9

TABLE 2-2
BLOOMSBURG LABOR FORCE STATUS,
SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS AND SEX
(Persons 16 Years Old and Over)
1970

Male

Female

Total

2,769
42

2,133

4,902

100

904
156

894
1,158

1,798
1,312

347

779

1,126

Armed Forces
Labor Force
Emp loyed
Unemp loyed

Not n Labor Force
Less than 65
nmate
Enrol led In School
Other
I

65 and Older
I

nmate

Enrol led in School

Other

2-6

I
1

TABLE 2-3
BLOOMSBURG EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY
PERSONS 16 AND OVER
1960-1970
I960
Col umb a

Bloomsburg

County
Of
Total

Industry

Total

Agriculture, Forests,
Fishing
Mining & Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation
Wholesale
Food & Dairy Stores
Eating & Drinking
Places
Other Retai
Finance, Insurance,
Rea
Estate
Services
Entertainment &
Recreation
Hospitals & Medical
Education - Pub ic
Education - Private
Professional & Related
Services
Public Administration
I

TOTAL

Male

148
1,650
199

144

151

130

188

544

Fema

9
4

Total

Of
%
Total

DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA

2.6
6.6
37.4
8.2
2.9
2.8

154
118
89

56
346

3.4
37.8
4.4
3.5
3.0

132
198

12.4

DNA
DNA

2.6
8.9

3.8
6.5

DNA
DNA

3.5
7.3

DNA
DNA
DNA
DNA

0.9
2.9
3.4

DNA
DNA

4.0
4.4

567
45
53

1,083

1.4

Pennsylvania

Of
Total

164

283

163

120

4.3

198
321

51
161

147
140

0.9
4.5
7.4
0.9

156

100

56
4

3.6
2.2

4,366

2,758

1,608

100.0

1.6

100.0

1970

Agriculture, Forests,
Fishing
Mining & Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation
Wholesale
Food & Dairy Stores
Eating & Drinking
Places
Other Retai
Finance, Insurance,
Rea Estate
Services
Entertainment &
Recreation
Hospi ta Is & Medical
Education - Pub Ic
Education - Private
Professional & Related
Services
Public Administration
1

TOTAL

185

1,729
132

84
96

76
165

1,098
79
69
52

1.7

3.8
35.2
3.8

631

53
15

1.7

2.0

805
1,213
10,575
816
490
497

3.6
5.4
47.1
3.6
2.2
2.2

1.8

6.3
3.3
6.3
3.6
2.6

126

2.6

441

2.0

2.7

627

337

290

12.8

2,073

9.1

10.0

2.4
4.4

4.0
6.4

72
249

1.5

537

130

5.2

973

1.2

6.8

0.5
4.8
6.3
1.2

0.6
5.5
4.8
2.5

58
335
644

95
255

29
240
389

13.0

0.6

120
1,092
1,448
276

240

156

159

106

4.9
3.2

596
585

2.6
2.6

3.9
4.7

4,847

2,716

2,131

100.0

22,537

100.0

2-7

TABLE 2-4
MANUFACTURING PROFILE OF BLOOMSBURG
AND COLUMBIA COUNTY
1962,

1967,

1972

1962

Bloomsburg
18

109

16.5

3,075
$12,405,000
$51,392,000
$20,256,000
$651,000

10,179

$42,152,000
$172,197,000
$68,831,000
$3,490,000

30.2
29.4
29.8
29.4

$4,034
$6,587

$4,141
$6,762

$36,167

$32,018

Number of Establishments
Number of Employees
Wages and Salaries
Value of Production
Value Added by Manufacturing
Capital Expenditures

Bloomsburg As
A Percent Of
Col umbia County

Co umb a
County

Mean Wage/Year
Value Added/Employee
Capital Expenditures/
EstabI ishment

18.7

1967

Number of Establishments
Number of Employees
Wages and Salaries
Value of Production
Value by Manufacturing
Capital Expenditures

17.9

11,241

32.4
32.8
35.3

3,638
$17,697,000
$73,361,000
$32,255,000
$2,172,000

$54,019,000
$207,655,000
$97,387,000
$6,568,000

$4,864
$8,866

$4,806
$8,664

$103,429

$56,137

123
11,734

Mean Wage/Year
Value Added/Employee
Capital Expenditures/
EstabI ishment

33.1
33.1

1972

Number of Establishments
Number of Employees
Wages and Salaries
Value of Production
Value Added by Manufacturing
Capital Expenditures
Mean Wage/Year
Value Added/Employee
Capital Expenditures/
EstabI ishment
SOURCE:

3,438
$22,898,000
$79,459,000
$33,208,000
$4,139,000
$6,660
$9,659

$165,560

$78,251,000
$294,642,000
$133,628,000
$15,402,000

20.3
29.3
29.3
27.0
24.9
26.9

$6,669
1,388

$125,220

Pennsylvania Statistical Abstract; Bureau of Statistics, Research and
Planning; 1963, 1969, 1973.

2-8

TABLE 2-5
LEADING MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
IN BL00^4SBURG AND
COLUMBIA COUNTY
1971

TOWN OF BLOOMSBURG
f>

Industry
le Mill Products
Fabricated Metals
Food & Kindred Products
Apparel

Text?

TOTAL

Number Of
Estab
shments
I

Number Of
Emp loyees

Manufacturing
Employment

Of
%
Total
Emp loyment

75.1
10.2

52.7
2.8

102

4.0
3.0

3,170

92.3

64.7

7
2
4

2,581
350
137

7.1
2.1

COLUMBIA COUNTY
Texti le Mill Products
Food & Kindred Products

3,271

27.9

14,5

Appare
Fabricated Metals
Transportation Equipment
Tobacco
Lumber and V/ood

1,851
1,849

15.8
15.8
11.5

TOTAL

724
567

6.6
6.2
4.8

8.2
8.2
6.0
3.5
3.2
2.5

10.391

88.6

46.1

1,349
780

18
1

2-9

TABLE 2-6
RECENT EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
IN COLUMBIA COUNTY
1972 and 1973

June

August

1972

Apri
1973

Labor Force

25,300

25,700

25,500

Employment

23,700

23,900

23,800

1,600

6,3

1,800
7.0

1,700
6.7

11,500

11,400

11,100

Non-Manufacturing Employment

9,000

9,700

Other Non-Agricultural
Employment

2,100

2,000

Agricultural Employment

1,100

1,400

1,000

Unemployment
% Unemployed
Manufacturing Employment

SOURCE:

Labor Market Letter for Columbia County
Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry
Bureau of Employment Security
September, 1972; January, 1973; June, 1973.

TABLE 2-7
RETAIL TRADE IN BLOO^^BURG
AND COLUMBIA COUNTY
1967

Bloomsburg
Number of Establishments
Sales for the Year
Payrol
for the Year
Paid Employees
1

207

$31,968,000
$3,423,000
1,080

2-10

Columbia
County
672
$78,552,000
$7,204,000
2,278

Bloomsburg As
A Percent Of
Columbia County
30.8
40.7
47.5
47.4

CHAPTER THREE

HOUSING

ANALYSIS

CHAPTER THREE
HOUSING ANALYSIS

Everyone needs a place to live. The largest single investment made by a
The housing analysis then becomes a crifamily or individual is a home.
V/ith a sound housing analysis
tical portion of the background analysis.
of past and current conditions and estimates of future housing supply and
demand, housing policies, plans, and programs can be established so as to
meet future needs and correct present inequities in the housing situation.

RESIDENTIAL POLICY
The purchase of a home is the symbol of an all-out effort of the family to
achieve shelter, tangible security, comfort, and convenience.
The community social structure, therefore, becomes rooted in the home.
Thus, it is
necessary that the living areas be an integral part of the entire community and, at the same time, be separated from nuisance items such as noise
and traffic so prevalent in commercial and industrial areas.
It becomes necessary then to recognize that the choice of a dwelling unit
by each and every family or person, is an exercise of the freedom inherent
in the Nation.
Thus, the concept of a residential area must incorporate
all types of dwelling units beginning with single-family homes and progressing through duplexes, garden apartments, townhouses, walk-up apartments,
and high-rise/high-density facilities.
These must be integrated in an
overall plan to provide continuous space for convenient outdoor living,
and a separation, as may be necessary, without resorting to heavy restrictive controls in preference to the ability to live together in a compatible

environment.

HOUSING CONDITIONS
In September of 1973, a detailed field inventory was undertaken, in
junction with available urban renewal information, to determine the
tent and location of structural conditions in the Town. The survey
of exterior conditions only and structures were classified into the
lowing categories:

conexwas
fol-

Good - Requiring no repairs
Fair - Deteriorated, but salvageable, repair feasible
Poor - Di lapidated, non-salvageable, replacement required.
I

A map entitled "Structural Conditions - 1973" contained herein illustrates
the relative location and condition of structures throughout the Town.

Relatively, overall dwelling unit conditions have worsened in Bloomsburg.
The percentage of dwelling units considered good has decreased from 71.2^
In I960 to 69.4^ in 1973.
The percentage of units in fair condition has
decreased by 2.10^, from 21. 9!^ in I960 to 19.8^ in 1973. Dwelling units

3-1

judged to be in poor condition increased from 6.9/5 to 10.8^.
It is important
to note that the placing of structures in good, fair, or poor categories
through external survey is somewhat subjective and can vary from survey to
survey, and from time to time.
Table 3-1 and the pie chart, "Dwelling Unit
Condition" illustrate the dwelling unit conditions of I960 and 1973.

Another component of housing conditions is plumbing, as shown in Table 3-2.
In 1970, 91 ,9% of all the housing units had all p lumbing f aci ities.
Only
76 dwelling units lacked some or all plumbing facilities.
Although 2.\% is
a very small amount, efforts should be made to correct the lack of plumbing
in these few structures.
One thing that Table 3-2 does not show is the
condition of the plumbing.
Further investigation will be necessary to
search out those units where the plumbing is substandard.
I

Another measure that might give additional insight into housing conditions
in Bloomsburg is the age of structures, as shown in Table 3-3.
Before beginning the analysis, a note of caution should be introduced.
Having an
older housing stock does not necessarily imply substandard housing.
Old
houses tend to be made of very solid materials and with the proper upkeep
can remain sound for a very long time.
However, older homes do tend to require higher upkeep costs, higher heating costs^ and more repair and upgrading of the plumbing, heating and electrical systems, etc.
Such problems
can be especially acute in a college town such as Bloomsburg where many of
the older single-family residences have been converted to multi-unit residences.
Without proper alterations and additions, such conversions can
easily overload electrical, heating, and other such systems.
81.9^ of the structures in the Town of Bloomsburg were built before 1940.
In Pennsylvania only 58.8^ of the homes were built before 1940, while in
Columbia County the figure is 70. 3^. Although the percentage for Bloomsburg seems high, one must remember that it is an urban center and received
most of its development before the remainder of the County and most of the
State. Table 3-3 also points out another possible problem: Only 219 structures, 6% of the total number of structures, have been built since I960.
This amount would seem to indicate that Bloomsburg is not replacing its
housing stock at a sufficient pace.

TYPE OF STRUCTURE
"Dwelling Units Per Structure," Table 3-4, gives a picture of the distribution of structures according to the number of dv/elling units.
Because
Bloomsburg is a totally urban area, there is a larger percentage of multifamily dwellings in the Town than is found in Columbia County and Pennsylvania. At the same time there are not as many multi-family dv/ellings as
one might expect.
Only 23? of the dwelling units are in structures containing three or more units. The largest concentration of housing, 47.8^,
is in single-family dwellings, with duplexes accounting for the next largest portion, at 28.2^. Only 10.4!^ of the housing is in apartment houses
Obviously Bloomsburg's housing is dominated by
of five or more units.
single-family homes, duplexes, and multi-family conversions. Another
interesting note is the lack of mobilehomes.
Only 61 units,
.1%, of the
housing units are mobi lehomes.
\

3-2

STRUCTURAL

CONDITIONS

TOWN

BLOOMSBUI

COLUMBIA
COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA

GOOD
FAIR

POOR

-SURVEY BY CONSULTANT AND
SURVEY
URBAN
RENEWAL
BY
MULLIN
ASSOC, INC
AND LONERGAN
1973

197

SCALE
500

STRUCTURAL

CONDITIONS

TOWN

BLOOMSBURG

COLUMBIA
COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA

1973

VACANCY STATUS (See Table 3-5)
As of 1970, 96.1^ of Bloomsburg's housing was occupied, a somewhat higher
Of the 3.9^ of the houspercentage than Columbia County or Pennsylvania.
The other
ing that was vacant, 2.2? was for sale or for rent.
.1% was
abandoned, vacant but not for sale nor rent, etc. A vacancy rate of 2.2*
is exactly the same as the state average.
\

Table 3-6 relates to the turnover rate of housing units by distributing
the number of dwelling units according to the year that the occupants
moved.
The distributions for the three areas, Bloomsburg, Columbia
County, and Pennsylvania, are approximately the same.
About one- third
of the owner-occupied dwelling units have been occupied by the same
About 25^ of the units have been occupied
residents since before 1950.
The remaining 40% - 45% have been occupied since I960.
during the I950's.
The three areas follow the same general pattern in regard to renter-occupied units.
About \0% of the units were occupied before 1950, another \0%
were occupied in the I950's, \5% were moved into from I960 to 1965, and
about 65^ have been occupied since 1965.
VALUE OF HOUSING
The percentage distribution of owner-occupied housing according to value
in Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania are very similar but differ sanewhat from
Columbia County. Approximately one-third of Pennsylvania's and Bloomsburg's owner-occupied housing is valued at less than $10,000. About 40^
The remaining 25^ is valued
is valued at between $10,000 and $20,000.
The corresponding figures for the County are:
at more than $20,000.
Less than 510,000 - 45^; $10,000 to $20,000 - 40f;; and more than $20,000 There is only a slight difference of $800 between the median value
15^.
The median
of owner-occupied housing between Bloomsburg and Pennsylvania.
value In Bloomsburg Is $12,900 and $13,700 in Pennsylvania. These figures
are shown in more detail in Table 3-7.

Table 3-8 shows the distribution of dwelling units by monthly rents in
Bloomsburg, Columbia County, and Pennsylvania. The largest grouping of
Only 29.2?
Bloomsburg's units, 42.7?, rent for less than $60 per month.
Most of Pennsylvania's
of Pennsylvania's units rent for this amount.
The merental units, 61.8?, are priced between $60 and $99 per month.
dian rent is $63 for Bloomsburg, $56 for Columbia County, and $73 for
Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg's median rent is lower than the median rent
for Pennsylvania because a large proportion of the Town's rental demand
comes from college students who tend to desire smaller, less expensive
housing units.
In comparison, most of Pennsylvania's rental demand
comes from families that require larger, more expensive units. Bloomsburg's rental units bring higher rents than Columbia County rental units
because of the concentration of rental demand in the Town and the public
services offered in the Town that are not available in the rural County.

3-3

HOUSING DEMAND AND SUPPLY

There are several questions to consider in the examination of housing demand and supply.
Are there enough units available at a price that the
Is the distribution of the housing stock according
people can afford?
to size in equi ibri um with the size of families or persons per unit?
What wi
be the future housing demand, and how wi
the present housing stock have to be changed to meet that need?
I

Table 3-9 shows the relationships between family incomes, the distribution
of housing at various costs, and the distribution of families and population according to income.
The table is based on the assumption that the
maximum amount a family can afford for a home purchase is 2.5 times their
annual family income.
This is only a very general rule-of-thumb formula.
The amount any individual family would spend could vary greatly, depending on the number of children, any special expenses of that family, the
region of the country, the real estate market, and a long list of other
variables. Therefore, Table 3-9 should be looked on as only a rough,
generalized guide and should not be applied to particular cases.

According to Table 3-9, 15.5^ of the families in Bloomsburg earn less than
$4,000 per year. Using the assumption that they can afford a home valued
up to 2.5 times their annual income, their housing supply must be made
available at less than $10,000.
33.3^ of Bloomsburg's housing is in this
price range. With 36.1^ of the population in this group, it would appear
that the housing supply approximately meets demand.
26.0^ of the population earns between $4,000 and $7,999 per year.
This group, assuming that
they bought in their price range, could afford 43.4^ of the housing.
Is
this group over supplied? The answer is no because these figures represent maximum housing costs.
It would seem very reasonable for some families to choose not to pull their belts so tight as to spend a maximum
amount of their income on housing. Therefore, some of those families
earning more than $8,000 per year will be looking for homes below the
$20,000 cost level.
From looking at Table 3-9 and the previous paragraph, one might easily
reach the conclusion that housing prices are within reach of family incomes.
It might be very true that a family couid afford a house for
less than $10,000 but in what kind of condition would it be?
From Table
3-1, 10.8? of the housing is considered poor.
Though the supply of housing
is adequate for the number of lower income families, the supply of adequate
standard housing might not be. Table 1-9 stated that 33.6^ of the elderly
were below the poverty level.
Is there low-cost housing available for the
elderly? The answers to these questions will require further investigation
and study.

Table 3-10 provides the same type of analysis for rental units as Table
3-9 does for owner-occupied housing.
Again, the rental figures are maximums.
The basic assumption is that a family should spend no more than
25^ of their monthly income on rent if utilities are included; or 20^ if
utilities are not included. This analysis uses the 20/^ approach. As with
the value of owner-occupied housing, the distribution of rental units according to rent is less than the maximum. Again, it seems reasonable to

3-4

assume that famlMes and individuals do not wish to so restrict their budOne will also note that there
gets so as to spend a maximum for housing.
A probable explanation
are no units provided at $250 per month or more.
is that persons at the necessary income level ($1,200 per month or more)
tend to buy homes rather than rent.
The same kind of questions can be raised about the supply of rental units
Though from a quantity standas in the case of owner-occupied housing.
point the supply and demand of rental units appears to be in equilibrium
with the cost, what about the quality of these units? Are a significant
amount of the low-rent units substandard?
Is the housing for the elderly
adequate?
SIZE OF HOUSING UNITS

Another aspect of housing supply and demand is the size of dwelling units.
Table 3-11 provides a breakdown of housing by the number of bedrooms per
dwelling unit. One of the first things to be noted is the prevalence of
43.7^ of Bloomsburg's dwelling units are renrental units in Bloornsburg.
tals as opposed to 31.2^ for Pennsylvania and only 26.9^ for Columbia CounBloomsburg's rental units are almost equally divided among one, two,
ty.
and three bedroom units while Pennsylvania's rental units are predominately
one and two bedroom units and Columbia County's tend to be two and three
bedroom units. The dispersion of rentals in the Town of Bloornsburg tends
Among
to indicate a wider market than in Columbia County or Pennsylvania.
owner-occupied dwelling, the largest supply is three bedroom units in
Bloornsburg, Columbia County, and Pennsylvania.
Is the distribution of units according to size in balance with the size of
From the
households? Table 3-12 helps provide some insight to the answer.
table, one can see that average number of persons per unit and average famAverage
ly size is smaller in Bloornsburg than in the County or the State.
Such averages
family size is 3.11, and average household size is 2.70.
In
would be indicative of a strong demand for two and three bedroom units.
Bloomsburg the supply reflects this demand with over 70^ of the dwelling
units being of the two or three bedroom type.
i

FUTURE HOUSING NEEDS

What about the future housing needs of Bloomsburg? Tables 3-12 and 3-13
give an approximate idea of future housing demands based on the population
projection, the percent housing supply and demand, and trends in average
During the past two decades average household
family and household size.
Bloomsburg and Columbia
size has been decreasing throughout the State,
From 1950 to 1970 average family size in
County fit within this pattern.
If this trend to smaller
Bloomsburg has decreased from 4.00 to 3.
families should continue, the need for larger dwelling units will likewise diminish. The breaking up of households into smaller units will
mean a larger number of households and an increased demand for conversion apartments and smaller units.
I

3-5

Table 3-13 gives approximate future housing needs in the Town of Bloomsburg
These are only very approximate because average housefor 1980 and 1990.
hold size can easily fluctuate and as pointed out previously the number of
it is estimated that
college students per structure is extremely flexible,
Bloomsburg will need 125 to 300 new housing units before 1980 in order to
meet the demand. By 1990 new demand will necessitate an additional 250 to
520 new units.
As noted on Table 3-13 this analysis did not attempt to estimate the number
of units needed to replace those housing units removed by code enforcement
or by urban renewal. According to the most recent survey of housing condiThe decision
tions, 10.8^ of the housing in Bloomsburg is considered poor.
as to whether these units will require rehabilitation or replacement is beyond the scope of this study and necessitates a structure by structure decision by housing authorities, local planning commissions, and other government agencies.
NOTE

;

Figures used which reflect the total dwelling units in the Town of Bloomsburg vary somewhat depending on the source of information and the criteria
used in classification and evaluation and comparison techniques employed
The U.S. Census of Housing, from which
in the process of documentation.
a substantial portion of housing information was extracted, reflects as
many as four (4) different totals for a particular classification or grouping of dwelling units.
This is due, in part, to a wide range of variables
such as random sampling techniques, computer allocation rates for non-response, and inconsistency and human error in field compilation of data.
in mind that although there are minor discrepancies in reported totals,
this is the best information available on the subject and comparative analyses based on this information is quite valid.

Bear

A word about inflation;

the effects of inflation on housing costs were not
addressed in the Comprehensive Plan. This omission was not an oversight,
but intentional because of several factors.
One, there is no data available that would be applicable to Bloomsburg.
Two, because of the Agnes
Flood of 1972 and Government response in terms of flood plain regulations
and insurance programs, some properties have actually declined in value
and; three, price increases have not been uniform across the board because
of factors such as local housing
demand, type of housing, size, condition,
and other characteristics of the housing supply.

3-6

3f
o<

>
>

*rt

i/1

—

ro
1^
O)

i
°

C "O

W1B<M

=>
CO

z
S
"
>-

m
-

^ o
^
^
w <
-JZ
< <
5 o
uj cr
2 UJ
UJ z
q: o

tf)

</>

O
CD

?;.oc
zn
CO

<
m
^ ^
Q -I
otJ

tr
ID-

< *

i a:

O
o
-J
CQ

2
o

o
CL

tl.

o
iD

CO
CO

O s
—

Q
O ©
^©

u
CO

o
CO
CT>

tlJ

o
o
CO

W
—J ^,

TABLE 3-1
DWELLING UNIT CONDITIONS IN BLOOMSBURG
I960 and 1973

1973

I960

Number

Percent

Number

Percent

Good

2,639

71.2

2,383

69.4

Fai r

813

21.9

680

19.8

Poor

255

6.9

371

10.8

3,707

100.0

3,434

100.0

TOTAL

SOURCE:

I960 U. S. Census of Population.
1973 Survey by Consultant, supplemented by the Columbia County
Redevelopment Authority in the Urban Renewal Area.

TABLE 3-2
PLUMBING CONDITIONS IN BLOOMSBURG
1970

Lacking
Piped Hot
Water Only

Lacking
Other
Plumbing

3,585

Units

3,446

Owner-Occupied Housing
Units

1,876

Renter-Occupied Housing
Units

1,570

With Al
Plumbing
Faci

ities

Total Occupied and Vacant

Housing Units
Total Occupied Housing

Total

Negro-Occupied Housing

Units

Vacant

3-7

2
1

TABLE 3-3
YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT

Bloomsburg
Owe
ing
Units
I

1969 - March

Co umb a
County (.%)

Pennsy van!

Percent

1.0

2.2

1.9

1968

118

3.2

4.9

6.3

I960 - 1964

1.8

4.7

7.2

1950 - 1959

237

6.5

11.2

16.5

1940 -

205

5.6

6.7

9.3

1939 or Earl ler

2,998

81.9

70.3

58.8

TOTAL

3,659

100.0

1965 -

1970

1949

TABLE 3-4
DWELLING UNITS PER STRUCTURE
1970

Bloomsbu rg
Number
Pe rcent

Type of Structure

Columbia
County (%)

Pennsylvania
(?)

Single Family Detached

1,675

45.8

73.9

53.6

Single Family Attached

2.0

12.2

19.0

1,034

28.2

5.2

9.6

Three and Four Dwelling
Units

436

11.9

Five or More Dwe
Units

38!

10.4

0.2

9.7

1.7

5.4

2.3

3,659

100.0

Two Dwel Ing Units
I

Mobi le Home

TOTAL

5.8

ing

3-8

TABLE 3-5
OCCUPANCY AND VACANCY STATUS
FOR YEAR-ROUND HOUSING UNITS
1970

Bloomsburq
Number
Percent
Occupied

3,519

Vacant
For Rent
For Sale

Co umb a
County (.%)

Pennsylvania

95.8

95.5

96.1

2.2

(?)

2.2

1.6

1.7

1.0

1.6

0.5

0.6

Other Vacant

2.6

2.3

Co umb a
County (%)

Pennsyl vania

100.0

1.7

TABLE 3-6
YEAR MOVED INTO UNIT
BY NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS
1970

Bloomsburg
Number
Percent
NER-OCCUPIED
1969 - March
1968
1967
1965-1966-

1,896
1970

1960-1964
1950-1959
1949 or Earl er

6.3

5.8
7.3
6.6
16.4
24.3
33.3

310
461

632

RENTER-OCCUPIED
1969 - March
1968
1967

100.

120
138
125

1965-1966
1960-1964
1950-1959
1949 or Earl ier

7.9
5.7

7.0
5.5

13.5

13.8

16.1

17.0

22.1

27.6

34.7

29.1

100.0

1,623
1970

100.0

514
213

31.7

31.5

30.8

13.1

10.7

14.4

181

11.2

142

8.7

22.2

22.3

248

15.3
10.4

15.2

9.9

14.5
10.2

9.6

10.6

7.8

169
156

3-9

TABLE 3--7
VALUE OF OWNER-OCCUPIED HOUSING
1970

Bloomsburg
Percent
Number
Less Than $5,000
$ 5,000 -

7,499

Co umb a
County (?)

6.8

156

11.3)

13.0

)

7,500 -

9,999

208

15.1)

$10,000 - 12,499

208

15.1)

)

$12,500 - 14,999

153

II. 1)

$15,000 - 17,499

129

9.4)
)

Pennsylvania
(?)

6.8
11.4

32.8
13.2
13.7

25.2
11.2
10.5
14.1

$17,500 - 19,999

109

$20,000 - 24,999

158

11.5

7.5

10,8

$25,000 - 34,999

107

7.8

5.3

8.5

$35,000 - 49,999

2.5

1.5

3.6

$50,000 & Over

1.5

0.6

1.7

1,375

100.0

$11,100

$13,700

TOTAL

MEDIAN VALUE

NOTE

$12,900

Does not include occupied single-family houses on 10 acres or more nor
residences with businesses on the property.
Does not include mobilehomes
.

SOURCE:

8.6

7.9)

U. S. Census of Population and Housing
Bureau of the Census
U. S. Department of Commerce.

3-10

TABLE 3-8
MONTHLY CONTRACT RENT
1970

Bloomsburg
Percent

Co umb a
County (,%)

Pennsy vania

95.3

90.2

98.6

HutTiber

PAYING CASH RENT
Less Than $40
$40 - $59
$60 - $79
$80 - $99
$100 - $149
$150 & Over

WITHOUT PAYMENT OF
CASH RENT
TOTAL

SOURCE:

,536

9.4
33.3
31.3
9.6

151

535
504
155
173

10.7
1.0

4.7

100.

1,611

MEDIAN RENT

NOTE:

$63

18.8

5.1

36.5
23.5
5.5
5.3
0.6

24.1

46.2
15.6

6.3
1.3

9.8

1.4

100.0

$56

$73

Does not include single-family houses on ten or more acres.
S. Census of Population and Housing
Bureau of the Census
U. S. Department of Commerce

3-1

TABLE 3-9
HOUSING DEMAND AND SUPPLY

BLOOMSBURG

1970

Va ue
1

Fami ly Incomes

Housing
Units

% Of
Popul at ion

15.5

36.1

Less Than $10,000

33.3

Less Than $4,000

Housing
Units

% Of
Famf tes

4,000 -

7,999

33.5

26.0

$10,000 - $19,999

43.4

8,000 - 14,999

41.6

30.9

$20,000 - $34,999

19.3

9.4

7.0

100.0

$15,000 or More

TOTAL

NOTE:

$35,000 or More

4.0
100.0

Assumes that the maximum a family should spend on a home is 2.5 times
their annual family income.
It would probably be more accurate to apply this formula to net family income versus gross family income.

TABLE 3-10
RENTAL DEMAND AND SUPPLY IN BLOOMSBURG
1970

Monthly
ncome

% Of
Unre lated
Individuals

15.5

% Of

Fami

Less Than $300

ies

Population

Monthly
Rent

% Of
Rental
Units

90.2

36.1

Less Than $60

42.7

% Of

300 -

699

33.5

6.2

26.0

40.0

700 - 1200

41.6

2.9

30.9

$100 - 249

11.7

9.4

0.7

7.0

100.0

$1200 or More

TOTAL

60 -

$250 or More

95.3
NO CASH RENT

4.7
100.0

NOTE:

Assumes that the maximum a family should spend on rent is 20;? of their
monthly income or 25^ of their monthly income if the rent includes
This analysis uses the 20^ figure.
utilities.

3-12

TABLE 3-1
NUMBER OF BEDROOMS IN ALL
OWNER OCCUPIED AND RENTER OCCUPIED
DWELLING UNITS
I

1970

Pe rcent

Co umb a
County (%)

Penn sy vania

Jumber
I

3,558

100.0

NUMBER OF DWELLING UNITS
None
One
Two
Three
Four or More

0.7

651

18.3

832
1,664
387

23.4
46.7

NUMBER OF OWNER OCCUPIED
DWELLING UNITS
None
One
Two
Three
Four
Five or More

0.4
8.9
27.5
45.9
17.3

10.9

2,004

1.6

13.3
27.1

41.9
16.1

0.3
2.5

0.1

3.5

394
1,114
332
40

31.3
9.3

3.9
17.2
36.2
12.8
2.9

ll.l

l.i

43.7

1,554

0.7

15.5

36.5
II.

3.0

26.9

0.3
5.6
9.6

24
527
438
550

14.8
12.3
15.5

11.2

0.4

0.2

3-13

68.8

73.1

56 3

124

NUMBER OF RENTER OCCUPIED
DWELLING UNITS
None
One
Two
Three
Four or More

oomsburq

31.2
1.4
10.

11.3
3.0
5.4

TABLE 3-12
PERSONS PER OCCUPIED
DWELLING UNIT AND
AVERAGE FAMILY SIZE
1950 -

1970

1950

I960

1970

2.70
(3.11)

3.18

2.99

(4.00)

(3.87)

COLUMBIA COUNTY
(Average Family Size)

3.41

3.17

PENNSYLVANIA
(Average Family Size)

3.49

BLOOMSBURG
(Average Family Size)

3.14
(3.77)

3.18
(3.92)

3.31

TABLE 3-13
APPROXIMATE FUTURE HOUSING
NEEDS IN BLOOMSBURG.
1980 &

1990

Number Of
New Units
Needed

1980

Number Of
Housing Units

(

1970-1980)

Number Of
New Units
Needed

1990

Number Of
Housing Units

(

1970-1990)

Efficiency and
One Bedroom

675 -

725

20 -

700 -

750

50 -

Two Bedrooms

850 -

900

30 -

875 -

950

50 -

120

1,700 - 1,800

50 -

140

25 -

Three Bedrooms
Four or More
Bed rooms

TOTAL

NOTE:

400 -

450

3,750 - 3,875

125 - 300

1,750 - 1,900

425 -

475

4,000 - 4,075

100 - 240

50 -

250 - 520

The number of new units needed for 1980 and 1990 relates only to those
This table does not include
necessary to house population increases.
those units necessary to replace dilapidated units.

3-14

CHAPTER

FOUR

EXISTING LAND USE

CHAPTER FOUR
EXISTING LAND USE

This Chapter is intended to provide an overview of the location and extent
of the concentration of specific land uses throughout the Town.
The various uses of land have been, for the purpose of this report, grouped into
the fol lowing categories:
residential, conYnercial, industrial, (institutional) public and semi-public, rights-of-way, public recreation, agriculture and vacant, woodland and streams.
Concurrently with the structural
condition survey in September of 1973, supplemented by available urban
renewal information, a field survey was conducted in order to identify
and locate uses in the above mentioned categories, and the results are
illustrated on the accompanying map entitled "Existing Land Use". Further documentation of the data obtained is set forth in Table 4-1 which
indicates the number of acres and percentage relationships of the land
uses with comparisons of previous years and surveys.
A pie chart illustration entitled "Existing Land Use - 1973" presents the relationship
between the uses in terms of gross land area, and the net or developed
land area.

Existing land use, adjacent to the Town, in parts of Montour, Hemlock,
Mount Pleasant and Scott Townships was also surveyed and delineated on
the map "Existing Land Use - Bloomsburg Area", to provide a regional
illustration of existing development trends. However, all existing land
use averages and percentage comparisons are specifically oriented to the
Town of Bloomsburg.
The classification of land as to its use is highly subjective.
That is,
in many cases it is up to the interpretation of the person doing the land
use survey as to what classification under which a particular parcel of
land is placed.
There are several examples of this difference in interpretation in Bloomsburg when one compares the 1964, 1970, and 1973 land
use surveys.
For example, the amount of institutional and semi-public
land has decreased from 15.4^ to 9.1%,
Much of this was a real decrease
as the decrease of the Bloomsburg Municipal Airport by 100 acres for example. However, other portions of this decrease can be explained by a
reclassification of the land as in the case of the Bloomsburg Hospital
property.
Only 8.8 acres of the Hospital property v/ere classified as
institutional and semi-public in 1973.
The remainder was reclassified
as open space, for even though it is o wned by an institution its use is
as open space.
Therefore, when one is comparing these land use figures,
keep their subjective nature in mind.
The land use survey is one of the most important aspects of the Comprehensive Plan.
Land use analysis identifies existing use patterns, particularly explains traffic patterns, identifies areas according to their needs for
community services and facilities, and serves as a basis for the land use

4-1

The present pattern of
plan, zoning ordinance, and future traffic plan.
land use also provides information that will be incorporated into population projections and economic analysis.

RESIDENTIAL
Residential uses still occupy the greatest portion of the Town's developed
There are approximately 512 acres of residential land in the
land area.
Town now as compared with 492 acres in 1970 and 482 acres in 1964. Most
of the residential development is concentrated on a broad hillside between
First Street and the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad.
Other concentrations of
residences occur just north of the Town Park; in the vicinity of the College; strips of residential development northward along Route 42; and eastward along Old Berwick Road, Seventh Street, and Light Street Road.
The
sparse residential development along the periphery of the developed area
of the Town blends into the countryside and becomes farmland to the north
and west of the center of Town.

Much of the residential development is characterized by a widespread mixture of single-family, two-family, and multiple-family housing types, particularly in the older sections.
In I960, approximately 10% of the residences were single-family homes, 29^ were multi-family homes, and \% were
mobi lehomes.
By 1970, approximately 5\% were single-family residences,
The 19^ change
48^ v/ere multi-family residences, and 1^ were mobi lehomes.
in the relationship betv/een single-family and multi-family residences can
be largely explained by the expansion of student housing, through the conversion of homes to multiple dwellings. A well-defined single-family residential area has developed south of the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad and north
of the Town Park and in the vicinity of the College and the Hospital.

Much of the original residential development of the Town is characterized
by small lots and the lack of front, side, and rear yards that is typical
of early development patterns.
The Town's growth has always been restricted
by periodic flooding and has been forced to concentrate in a compact area on
a ridge of relatively level high ground.
Residential development has been
influenced considerably by the widespread use of the gridiron street pattern.
New streets were plotted in a grid that extended outward from existing development, sometimes without regard for irregular topography.
Overcrowded neighborhoods with high population densities were created that
The lack of garage or
failed to provide adequate privacy or living space.
driveway space intensifies the problem of on-street parking and adds to
congestion.

Two-family and multiple-family residences are widely scattered throughout
the Town without any definable pattern.
Since few were constructed for
this type of occupancy originally, most are the result of a long and continuous process of converting single-family residences to multiple use.
Numerous small apartments and housing units are located in the large old
homes and mansions that have been converted to multiple-family use.
Some
of this space is occupied by college students living off-campus.
A sizable number of units are located in and around the Central Business District and south of the Col lege.

4-2

C0f4^ERCIAL

Commercial uses occupy approximately 208 acres or seven percent (7%) of
the Town's total area.
The Central Business District along Main Street
This small compact area
is a major shopping center in Columbia County.
contains the major proportion of the Town's retail stores, specialty
shops, restaurants, professional offices, banks, theaters, and services.
This district is essentially a "one-street" shopping center that extends
back to the rear a ley behind Main Street.
A number of commercial uses
are also located along East Street and U.S. Route II.
A secondary shopping center is developing around the Market-East Ninth Streets intersection.
I

Nurseries and greenhouses occupy a traditional place in Bloomsburg's economy and account for about 63 acres of land.
The largest is the Dill ion Nurthe
sery located on
flat lands along Route II in both Bloomsburg and Scott
Tov/nship.
Others are to be found along River Road, Old Country Road, and
at the end of Franklin Avenue.
Nurseries develop large parcels of land,
greenhouses, and planting areas and are strategic properties in a community
because they are easily adaptable to more intensive use.
INDUSTRIAL
Industrial and manufacturing uses occupy 134 acres or 4.5% of the Town's
area.
These uses are concentrated along Railroad Street, U.S. Route II,
and Ferry Road. Most of the land utilized for industrial uses are occuThese
pied by the Magee Carpet Company and several textile manufacturers.
provide the bulk of the Town's manufacturing employment opportunities.

PUBLIC AND SEMI -PUBLIC

Bloomsburg is very fortunate in that such a high percentage of its land
is used for public, semi-public, and institutional purposes.
Bloomsburg
State College occupies 125.6 acres (4.2^) of the Town, 124.1 acres are in
the Bloomsburg Fair Grounds (4.2fj), and public recreation land (parks,
Other
playgrounds, etc.) account for 144.78 acres or 4.9% of the Town.
State,
acreages under this category would include Town, County,
and Federal property, churches, schools, the Municipal Airport, the Bloomsburg
In total,
Hospital, the water company, and the sewage treatment plant.
10.7^ of the gross area of the Town of Bloomsburg is used for institutional, public, and semi-public uses.
OPEN SPACE

Approximately 49.2^ of the Town is still open, i.e., land used for public
However, it
recreation, agriculture and vacant, woodland, and streams.
is important to note that only 144.78 acres (4.9%) are in public ownership.
The large majority of the open land is still in private hands and
A
as such a proper amount of open space for the future is not assured.
program of land acquisition for recreation and open space should be instituted so that development will not absorb all of the land. Any acquisition
program must be based on a detailed study of needs, land availability and

4-3

It is next to impossible to set a goal, such as
financial capabilities.
10 or 20 acres per year for acquisition; but, in lieu thereof. Town Counci
and Planning Commission should maintain a constant av/areness of the need
for this type of land and act promptly when opportunities for acquisition
come to
ight.
I

4-4

EXISTING LAND US
TOWN OF BLOOMSBUI
COLUMBIA
COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA

SCiLE
lOO

Residential

Commercial

School

Hospital

•

Court House

Town Hall

Post Office

industrial

Nursery a Greenhouse

5xE>!l

WOODED
J

Farm Group

iiiai

Municipal Parking

Recreation

•
SOURCE;

--.03

Public a Semi- Public

agricultural a Open area

Jail

Fire Station

1973-SURVEr SY
URBAN RENEWAL S
AND LONERGAN AS

INDUS

EXISTING
BLOOMSBURG

LAND
AREA

U
COLU

EXISTING
BLOOMSBURG

LAND
AREA

USE
COLUMBIA

COUNTY

PENNSYLVANIA

r»- cr>

in (N

o\ in r-

— r^

o
in

cr.

r- vo

':)•

r~^

00 tn
o^
K> CNI

—

o o
o
—
CO •^
m
«* — o N^
in CN —

oo
^o
o
—o
hO CO
— Ov
CN —

in
CM
vo 00 (Nj

00 rr^ r- vD r•

•

•>*

in
00

o
in

O
O

'ft

o
o

—

CTi

VO
CN

•

vO
VD

'3-

to
UJ
CO

o
<
I

!jJ

o
r-

CTi

CN CN

•

-^t

•*

VO VO 00

St CO vO vO

o
o

rz
a)
(J

u
<j)

a
to
s:
c
o
o
— CO
m—
»en

—

o
o

VO
in

•

^o
^^
•

in CO

—
"=}•

VO
C7N

-H

•

rn r^ c>

•

—

•

—
•

VO r- CO
CN

c
o

o
o
o

•

(/)

cr
CI)

()
ia)

o
o
o

O
m

•

en
•

c
ro

c
c

c
ro

>
m
c

o
XI

'e
CO

<
UJ
cr
<
Q
Ul
CL
o
_l
UJ
>
UJ
a

c
o

V3
+-

>-•-.
-2 cr
v_^

•—

>- TD

—

—
ro
...

ICD

•o

—o
ro

-(-

W
3
c
o O —

+- L.
•—
+- .c
10 cn .^ in

«^

cr o; cr

<
UJ
o
<

Q_
CO

4-5

D-

(0 <x3
d)

U ©
u U
Q) D

—
U
>— o
^~
73

1CJ)

c:
(D

E
ro
(D
i-

+CO

o
H

E
3
o

(/)

E
O
o

m
_J

'd-

——
(Tv

•

c
ro

o
X
4-

o; 4- •o

XI
:z
U)

<
m
q:

c
(D
c O
O ro

oil

c
3
o

3
in
c
O

>XI

CO
CN

mCO

>
U
3

>
l3

o <

3
Z

o
u
>-

Q
liJ

>
>
K
3

</)

O
-J
LU

>
UJ
Q

O
oc

o
= E « 5
O < "J <
5^ t >

5 = =

5 z

°-

liJ

2 w >

O 2 O

£9?

LlI

LjJ

3 ^Q O
< >
Q.

(/)

o
o
u.

o
UJ

o
o

C/)

j—
CO
'

O3'

LlJ

b="

CHAPTtfR FIVE

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROPOSALS

MAKE NO LITTLE PLANS; THEY HAVE NO MAGIC TO STIR

MEN'S BLOOD
REALIZED.

AND PROBABLY THEMSELVES WILL NOT BE
MAKE BIG PLANS; AIM

WORK, REMEMBERING THAT A NOBLE,

HIGH IN HOPE AND
LOGICAL DIAGRAM

ONCE RECORDED, WILL BE A LIVING THING, ASSERTING
ITSELF WITH EVER GROWING

INSISTENCY.

LET

YOUR

WATCHV/ORD BE ORDER AND YOUR BEACON BEAUTY.

Van^e,Z H.

BufLnam

1910

CHAPTER FIVE
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROPOSALS

INTRODUCTION
The Comprehensive Planning Proposals phase of the Bloomsburg planning program involves the formulation of recommendations in respect to the three
basic elements of community development:
Land Use, Circulation and Community Facilities/Services. The following chapters document the planning
process and resulting recommendations.

However, in order to facilitate an understanding of the recormiendations,
their presentation is preceeded by an explanation of prevailing philosophy,
objectives and procedures which led to their formulation.

PHILOSOPHY
As early as 1945, the officials of the Town of Bloomsburg recognized the
necessity of planning for the future development of the Town.
Since the
time the first Comprehensive Plan was published, there has been continuing effort to insure sound development guidelines in the light of ever

changing factors that affect community development. The over-riding
philosophy of community development has remained, for the most part,
unchanged through the years. This position was stated in the introduction to the Comprehensive Plan Proposals of the 1965 report as follows:
"The Comprehensive Development Plan for Bloomsburg Is intended
to serve as a general guide for growth during the next fifteen
to twenty years and to assist the Planning Commission and the
Governing Body in reaching policy decisions and formulating
local legislation on matters concerned with the proper development of the community. The proposals of the plan should be
regarded as sufficiently flexible to allow for the unforeseen
changes that always occur and to assure a maximum range of
choices concerning the future course of the community's development.
The plan itself does not represent the ultimate stage
of development but rather a transition to something beyond, in
the distant future.
Its proposals should therefore be reviewed
and revised periodically to meet the new needs that arise from
the continuously changing physical, social and economic structure of the Community.
On the other hand, the objectives and policies upon which the
plan is based should be considered as more permanent, and representative of the general philosophy that underlies the thinking of the Planning Commission and its consultants towards
the future growth of the community.
Any revisions of the plan
should therefore be made within the limits of this philosophy.

5-1

The proposals of the plan are based upon the primary objectives
of preserving and protecting the good things that exist, and
providing the facilities and improvements that are needed to
make the Town a better place in which to live, work and play.
The plan recognizes the limitations of existing conditions,
but yet tries to better them by suggesting future improvements
and refinements to increase their utility and attractiveness.
At the same time, the plan recognizes that growth of varying
kinds and intensities is inevitable and suggests that such
growth, if properly guided, could produce a beneficial effect
upon the community rather than a detrimental one."
Even though the planning process has become increasingly more complicated
since 1965, due in part to changing legislation, the effects of the 1972
flood and the advent of urban renewal programs within the Town, the basic
approach of forward thinking, sound policies, and interagency co-ordination
is very much in evidence.

The planning proposals have been structured to accomplish the community
development objectives as set forth in this report. Since the objectives
provide the basis for proposals, familiarity with them is essential before proceeding to review the proposals contained herein.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
The following sets forth a list of community development objectives deemed
essential, and in the best long term interests in the sound future growth
and development of the Town of Bioomsburg.
"

The conservation of existing sound community development.

That land predominated by steep slopes and/or wooded growth be maintained in a natural state.

That new development should occur at locations which can economically
be served by public utilities, community facilities and services.

That new development relates to existing physical features including
topography and soil conditions with special consideration to storm
water drainage and flood hazards.

That housing development adequately meets the wide range of needs,
preferences and income levels of the Town's present and future residents.
"

To provide the local population with a full range of goods and services
through improvement of existing business establishments and development
of a limited number of shopping facilities at appropriate locations.

To provide areas for new industrial activity and expansion areas for
existing industrial uses in order to maintain and expand local employment opportunities as well as to broaden the tax base.

5-2

To develop a street and highway system that will provide efficient
traffic circulation through and around the community, as well as to
all parts of the community with a minimum of conflict and congestion.

That community utilities, including sanitary sewer system, water system and storm water drainage system, be expanded and improved to provide the necessary level of service throughout the Town in the most
economical and expedient manner possible.

That a coordinated approach to community facility services be maintained and upgraded as necessary to meet the diversified needs of the
community, particularly the medical, fire protection and police protection segments of a total public service package.

To institute a recreational program based on the needs of the Town,
tailored to fit smoothly in an overall development scheme.

To achieve a high level of cooperation and coordination on an intercommunity basis as well as with other community related and/or governmental organizations which are working for the benefit of the community.

To effectively administer development controls, for the long term
interests and goals of the Town to achieve orderly, sound community
growth.

METHODOLOGY
The following describes. In outline form, the major consideration and procedures utilized in the evolution of the Comprehensive Planning Proposals.
While the process has been categorized for discussion purposes, all of the
elements are highly interdependent and were taken into consideration as a
whole during plan fomiulation.

EXISTING LAND USE

Community development, in most cases, is a process of adding on to that
which exists.
Furthermore, the character of existing development also
influences and must be considered in respect to the form of adjacent new
development.
In effect, development that has already taken place is a
rather rigid, pre-existing foundation upon which the structure of future
development must build and obviously, with few exceptions, that nev/ buildTherefore, the manner in
ing takes place on land presently undeveloped.
which land is presently being utilized was plotted to establish the current
pattern of urbanization and open space.
EXISTING TRANSPOr^TAT ON
I

NET\'JORK

The location and form of the existing transportation network, particularly
the highway and rail segments, as well as anticipated changes thereto,
were considered since development is so highly dependent upon access access to jobs, markets, products and services, raw material sources,
homes, etc.

5-3

COMMUNITY UTILITY SERVICES
Sewer service, storm water drainage and water service are basic services
which must be provided throughout the Town to support existing development and encourage new development.

DRAINAGE
The adequacy of natural drainageways and man-made water channels are of
significant importance in terms of new development. Areas of surface
water run-off (rain that doesn't soak into the ground) in volumes exceeding the capacity of either natural or manmade drainageways to carry
the water away should be avoided.
The converse of this situation is
when water has no place to drain and forms a marshy area which is also
undesirable for development. These situations may be remedied through
several engineering techniques.

Remedies for these situations should be implemented as soon as possible
if they present obstacles to appropriate new development as well as better protection of existing development.
SLOPES
Areas predominated by slopes of 20^ (rising or falling twenty feet in one
hundred feet of horizontal distance) or greater were identified for conservation.
Ideally such areas should remain undeveloped.
However, to
attempt to prohibit all development in such would be impractical and unreasonable.
Some limitations are, nevertheless, necessary.
To permit
developers to indiscriminately cut roads into such areas, dig basements
and strip the land would result in development consistently plagued by
surface water run-off problems, erosion, streets difficult to maneuver
on and next to impossible to plow in the winter.
Slopes in. the 155^ to
20$ range can be developed lightly if carefully planned and executed.
Generally, slopes greater than 20^ should be maintained in a natural
state
FLOOD CONTROL
The subject of flood control has plagued communities, including Bloomsburg
for many years but confusion in approach and legal ramifications have come
"home to roost" as a result of the 1972 flood which inundated a significant
portion of Bloomsburg. An excerpt from the 1955 Comprehensive Plan regarding flood control measures will illustrate this point.

"Establish the policy through subdivision and zoning regulations
that all future development take place at base elevations that
are safely above the high levels recorded in previous floods."
The Federal Insurance Administration, within the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, has issued guidelines and requirements for effective
flood plain management, presented in a legal framework to enable communities like Bloomsburg to implement a flood control policy based on ground
elevations which must be above the elevation of the 100 year flood.

5-4

DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
Development trends including living preferences, partly indicated by the
analysis of existing land use and recent construction activity, were explored to identify those areas which are or are expected to be, under
pressure for development.
Not to take into consideration market demand
would risk the production of an unworkable plan or a plan too broad to
provide sufficient guidance to achieve orderly and sound community development.
The presence of zoning regulations, which have been in effect for several
years, exerts an influence as the legal guidelines for development.
This
in itself creates certain development patterns which must be given serious
consideration in respect to random or unnecessary zoning changes which may
be contemplated.

REDEVELOPMENT ACT

The full legal and administrative impact of flood related problems has
taken on the identity of Urban Renewal as a tool to repair flood damaged
communities.
Full cooperation, not only in philosophy and goals, but in
an integrated approach to implementation measures will be in the best long
term interests of Bloomsburg.

PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE GROWTH

Judgements were made as to how much development the Town could logically
expect to realize in respect to physical capabilities and pressure for
development. Such judgements are obviously hypothetical and of a broad
rather than definitive nature.
Particularly those dealing with quantity
and time.
Regardless of what may seem to be pure "guesswork", decisions
are more of an "educated projection" based on all the information available at a particular point in time.
This inherent flexibility is a basic
strength in the planning process in terms of everchanging variables which
may render previous decisions inappropriate in view of new information.
With the exception of the Turkey Hill Area, space for development in Bloomsburg is severely limited in terms of sizable vacant land areas suitable for
development.
However, such areas may become available through some unforeIn
seen disaster, urban renewal or wholesale acquisition by a developer.
the event of such a situation, there may be interest in what is termed a
"Planned Ressidential Development".
A "P.R.D." is a residential development consisting of a number and variety of dwelling units designed and executed as a single entity, providing common open space and sometimes including a limited amount of non-residential use - primarily to serve the residents thereof.
This alternate development concept is applicable in all
cluding commercial and industrial planned developments.

land use areas

in-

ADJOINING AREAS
The character of land areas abutting the Town, Scott, Hemlock and Montour
Townships in particular, as well as development trends and planning therein,
were considered to assure inter-regional community development continuity
and compatabi
ty.
I

5-5

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION
Last on the list but certainly not least important is a form of social
action termed "citizen participation". All too often decisions are made
without proper input by those people directly affected by a particular
decision. Citizen participation in all levels of governmental decision
making is a very viable and desirable form of data input. The individuality of each person and the collective desires of groups of citizens
is a basic premise to the existing form of government in this Country.

limitations, opportunities
and suppositions, together with the community development objectives,
were brought to bear collectively to formulate the Comprehensive Planning Proposals presented herein.
All of the foregoing concerns, considerations,

LAND USE TERMINOLOGY
The description of municipal comprehensive planning proposals include
references to various categories of land use.
In order to clarify the
intent of the proposals, a description of the basic characteristics of
each term is provided below.

RURAL

This term refers to the area which is not recommended or expected to
experience development to any extent.

SUBURBAN RESIDENTIAL
This classification is geared to those areas with minimum existing development which, through proper design and regulation, could develop into a
light to medium density residential area.
As previously mentioned, design
is a key factor to development, i.e., recognition of the necessity that
any development must be tailored to the physical capabilities of the land
to support development.

URBAN RESIDENTIAL
This use category is reflected primarily in those Town areas already substantially developed and areas immediately adjacent to existing development
that would be the logical expansion area for this type of residential use.
Urban residential may contain single family homes, apartments, low income
housing and elderly housing, in varying densities.
The density would
depend on proximity to the College or the Downtown Business Area which
traditionally contains a high ratio of the number of people per acre of
land.

COMMERCIAL
As with the urban residential classification, the term commercial is an
all inclusive denotation for different types of commercial uses which
serve different functions and purposes throughout the Town.
These purposes include downtown and neighborhood commercial uses as well as highway oriented commercial uses of land.

5-6

INDUSTRIAL

Present development has already utilized most of the good industrial sites
A wide spectrum of industrial type uses, including
throughout the Town.
textile mills, manufacturing, processing concerns and storage facilities
characterize the industrial pattern in the Town of Bloomsburg.

MAJOR PUBLIC AREAS
These uses are community facilities basically oriented to municipal administrative and service centers, fire companies, educational facilities, medical
care center, post office and library.
Public and semi-public uses incidental
to the development plan (such as churches and fraternal orders) were not included in the delineation of public land use areas.

CONSERVATION
Areas designated as conservation consist of those areas predominated by
slopes of 20f; or greater, natural drainageways (see "stream preservation"),
wetlands and a substantial portion of what is defined as flood prone areas.

These areas must be maintained primarily in a natural state to minimize
erosion, to retard surface water run-off, to maintain groundwater levels
in lower areas and to sustain wooded areas to maintain the oxygen cycle.
A limited amount of seasonal, permanent residential and outdoor recreational development is appropriate to these areas, except where slopes
are severe and provided the natural drainageways are not encroached
(See "Recreation").
upon.
FLOOD PLAIN
Included as an integral part of the "conservation" classification are
the areas subject to flooding with major emphasis on the impact of the
June 1972 flood in respect to development limitations.

STREAM PRESERVATION
This is a delineation of existing natural drainageways as they flow
through development areas to emphasize potential problem areas in terms
of development encroachment.

RECREATION
Land in this category includes existing and recommended outdoor recreational areas.
(These areas have been included in the "Conservation" use
category in the accompanying tabulations.)

RIGHT-OF-WAY
Includes the estimated land area occupied by or set aside for rights-ofway of streets, roads, highways and railroads as well as that required to
serve the additional development delineated on the accompanying "Comprehensive Plan Proposals Map".

5-7

CIRCULATION
Refers to pattern of vehicular movements through the Town in relation to
See section entitled "Major Thoroughfares
function and level of service.
Plan" for a detailed description of the classification system employed
in Bloomsburg.

OVERVIEW - COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PROPOSALS
A very unique feature of the Town of Bloomsburg, beside the fact that
Bloomsburg is the only chartered "Town" in the Commonwealth of PennsylNatural features comvania, is the potential for a complete community.
bined with development trends, both past and future, create a situation
which offers a full range of development opportunities.
Some examples
of this diversity are as follows:
"

A vital

High density student dwelling facilities and suburban type single
fami ly homes.

40'

Three room apartments and late col onia -Victorian mansions.

downtown business district and neighborhood grocery stores.

X 180' lots in the older sections of Town and farms with substantial acreage on the outskirts of Town.
I

Rolling plateau farm land and flat river terrace land.

Nationally recognized textile industry and home occupations.

range of facilities available to area residents.
Some of which
elementary (lower), middle and upper public schools and a college,
a choice of churches and fraternal organizations available to fill the
various religious and social needs of the community, recreational facilities including passive activities and indoor games, facilities for numerous outdoor sports, a Town Park, river frontage for fishing and boating
activities and natural wooded areas for aesthetic appreciation are present throughout the Town.

A fu
are:

A composite of easy access to the interstate highway system (Interstate
Route 80), a municipal airport, mainline railroad connections as well as
an intra-city bus line connection increase the ease of access both in
and out of Bloomsburg for a majority of transportation modes.
This

accessibility,
and commercial

turn, increases desirability for future industrial
investments - new jobs and a healthy economy.

As bright as the situation is, it would be remiss not to also recognize
the deficiencies and problems which face the Town.
Insufficient standard
housing, congested streets and intersections and periodic flooding are several examples.

The purpose of this report is the identification of some logical guidelines,
which, together with implementation measures, would offset development malpractices of the past and work toward acceptable future development patterns.

5-8

A summary of past and proposed changes in the Town's land use pattern indicates the changes in philosophy and goals of the Town in response to changing
Proposed land comparisons for 1948, 1965 and 1974 are
situations and needs.
found in Table 5-1.
(Some land uses have been grouped to facilitate comparisons)

TABLE 5-1
LAND USE COMPARISONS BY % OF TOTAL AREA

Residential
CoTime re a
i

Industrial
Publ ic & Semi -Pub

Right-of-Way
Agriculture

1948

1965

1974

9.0
3.0

14.0

20.1
3.2
13.9

1.6
1

ic*

21.6
7,8
57.0

4.0
3.6
24.6
8.8
45.0

46.5
13.1

3.2

*lncludes conservation and recreation.

The most significant change is the decrease in the area allocated to agriculture.
This is due to several reasons. Much of the land that was classified agriculture in 1948 and 1964 is included in the conservation category
which is part of the public and semi-public use indicated for 1974.
Areas
of low density residential were also included in the agriculture category
in 1948 and 1965, whereas this type of use is shown as residential in the
1974 figures.
Increased industrial use adjacent to railroad rights-of-way and industrial
use proposed in vicinity of the airport account for the substantial inflation of the 1974 industrial figure.

The grouping of certain land uses plus a different methodology of classification account for the differences in land use figures.
It is important to
keep in mind the land use terminology set forth previously in this Chapter
Following is a detailed
to evaluate the 1974 plan in proper perspective.
breakdown of land use relationships as they apply to the 1974 Comprehensive
Plan Proposals.

5-9

TABLE 5-2
AREA CALCULATIONS
1974 LAND USE PLAN

TOWN OF BLOOMSBURG
ACRES

USE

% OF TOTAL

93.9

3..2

Suburban Residential
Urban Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Major Publ ic
Right-of-Way
Conservation

184.6

6..2

414.9
94.7
412.0
367.2
391.2
1,017.8

13,,9

34,.2

TOTAL

2,976.3

100.0

Rural

3.,2

13,.9
12,.3

13.,1

The following three chapters deal specifically with land use, major thoroughfares and community facilities in detail sufficient to formulate specific proposals for overall community development. The following discussions and proposals are illustrated on the map entitled "Comprehensive
Plan Proposals" for the Town of Bloomsburg.
A map entitled "Generalized Land Use Plan - Bloomsburg Area" is also included.
Legal and political jurisdiction of the Town of Bloomsburg are
limited to its own municipal boundaries.
However, in order to illustrate
the continuity and compatabi
ty of land use proposals in Bloomsburg with
surrounding Townships and to assure inter-regional community development
an extended regional concept was deemed appropriate.
This in no way precludes the option of adjoining municipalities to undertake local level
planning activities and design a concept suitable to their individual
needs.
Adoption of this plan by Bloomsburg in no way assumes concurrence
of proposals as they relate to adjacent areas.
Rather, this regional concept is a suggestion, by Bloomsburg, of what rray be conducive to an overall
development pattern as Bloomsburg exerts its influence on the region and
vice-versa. This scherre is presented in the spirit of neighbors working
together for mutual benefit.
I

5-10

COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN PROPOSALS
TOWN OF BLOOMSBUI
COLUMBIA
COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
LAND

USE

CIRCULATION

RURAL

INTERSTATE

SUBURBAN

RESIDENTIAL

PRIMARY

CIR]
i

URBAN

RESIDENTIAL

SECONDARY/LC

COMMERCIAL

ONE

INDUSTRIAL

CONSERVATION
fi^^i^M

MAJOR

ACCESS

FACILITIES

TOWN

COURT

PROPOSED

Jk.

SEWAGE

HALL
HOUSE

MAINTENANCE

TREATMENT

PROPOSED

AREAS

HIKING

PLANT
BICYCLE

RECREATION

ttr

SENIOR

MIDDLE

ELEMENTARY

-f

LIBRARY

U.S.

•

FIRE

HOSPITAL

HIGH

POST

COUNTY

SCHOOL

OFFICE

COMPANY

JAIL

BLDG.

TRAIL

^ EW-MODIFIED

MUNICIPAL

PUBLIC

COMMUNITY

WAY

IMPR!

COMPREHENSIVE
PLAN PROPOSALS
TOWN OF BLOOMSBURG
COLUMBIA
COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
LAND
I

USE

CIRCULATION

RURAL

INTERSTATE

SUBURBAN

URBAN

^^^^M

RESIDENTIAL

ONE

INDUSTRIAL

NEW- MODIFIED

CONSERVATION

MUNICIPAL

MAJOR

AREAS

PUBLIC

TOWN
COURT

PROPOSED

SEWAGE

HALL
HOUSE

MAINTENANCE

PLANT

HIKING

BICYCLE

RECREATION
SENIOR

HIGH

MIDDLE

ELEMENTARY

LIBRARY
U

POST

SCHOOL

OFFICE

COMPANY

HOSPITAL

COUNTY

SCHOOL

FIRE

BLDG

TREATMENT

PROPOSED

JAIL

WAY

ACCESS

FACILITIES

(Shortwoy)

CIRCULATION

SECONDARY /LOCAL

RESIDENTIAL

EfiT

PRIMARY

COMMERCIAL

COMMUNITY

M^g-cr'""

TRAIL

CIRCULATION

TRAFFIC

INTERSECTION

PARKING

IMPROVEMENT

RESIDENTI/I
f^^^^^y^

GENERALIZED LAND
BLOOMSBURG
AREA

MAJOR PUB

USE
PL
COLU

]

RURAL

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL
V//A INDUSTRIAL

MAJOR PUBLIC AREAS

GENERALIZED LAND
BLOOMSBURG
AREA

USE

CONSERVATION

PLAN

COLUMBIA

COUNTY

PENNSYLVANIA

^mammmmmmttmmmimai^mmmm

CHAPTER SIX
LAND USE PLAN

INTRODUCTION
The Land Use Plan, included as a part of the Comprehensive Plan Proposals,
shows a generalized picture of the recomnaended development for the Town
during the planning period (1974-1995).
it is concerned with the most
favorable development of land by public and private means and the establishment of a pattern of uses that reflects desirable goals for development.
The Plan allocates a variety of land uses to those locations best
suited for each particular use.
Part of the Plan is established by existing development and is primarily concerned with the qualitative improvement of the environment; the other part is concerned with the most
efficient use of undeveloped land and provisions for new uses and facilities.

RESIDENTIAL LAND USE
Pressure for future residential development is expected to require a sizeable portion of the Town's undeveloped land reserve.
Residential areas,
as shown on the Comprehensive Plan Proposals Map are in basic accord with
the 1955 Plan v.'ith some modification.
The delineation is influenced by
existing patterns, availability of community services and facilities with
maximum emphasis on open space area to be preserved.
The highest residential densities have been contained in those areas where
extensive development exists and conforms to accepted planning concepts,
plus those areas that will logically provide for extension of this development pattern. One of the basic concepts of this Plan, as in 1965, is to
encourage low density development on a considerable portion of the Town's
remaining vacant land in order to prevent repetition of past tendencies
toward overcrowding and to promote a greater amount of open space to be
perpetuated.
Residential development pressure will be a result of the increasing desire for a better day to day living environment coupled with
the housing needs of a growing population.
The single-family house will
remain the major housing resource although multiple housing units will be
in great demand for a large number of young married couples and those individuals that maintain separate households.
in 1965, the major goals of residential development will be to gradually remove obsolete and substandard residential structures throughout
the Town, meet the growing need for multiple unit housing around the
college and downtown business district, restriction of small scattered
lots through the lesser developed areas of the Town and to" promote proper development schemes that will use this type of land to a maximum
degree of efficiency to minimize haphazard development.

6-1

Basic to any residential use concept is the desirability to locate all
residents in those areas that provide a desirable living environment as
opposed to those areas in close proximity to industrial uses with the
accompanying noise, dirt and congestion.
Rural

Approximately 94 acres of land have been allocated to this type of use in
the northern portion of the Town through which Interstate 80 passes.
This
area Is proposed to maintain the existing undeveloped open nature of this
section of Town. Development pressures in this area are at a minimum due
to the presence of land more suitable for residential use in other portions
of Town.

Suburban Residential
Areas north and south of Arbutus Park Road, including part of what Is referred to as Turkey Hill, are proposed for this type of \ofi to medium density residential use in the amount of 185 acres.
Development in this area
should not be random, small, scattered lots, but rather well designed subdl'
visions suited to the topography and maintaining an open/spacious environment.
Availability of public sewer and water will be of prime concern in
terms of type and density of use in these areas.

Urban Residential
Of the 415 acres of land proposed for this type of residential use, only
103 acres at the present time are open or vacant in the form of small

scattered parcels (See Existing Land Use Map).
In other words, the potential development activity in this area is restricted to those areas
or lots not presently developed, or to those which may become available
through urban renewal or other clearance actions.
A significant exception to this statement is the area north of the lower campus.
The urban
residential uses, as stated previously, will reflect a maximum use, without overcrowding and congestion of the platted areas of the Town.
A wide
range of residential uses from single-family homes to high density residential structures will be evident in this area.
As is shown on the Comprehensive Plan Proposals Map, this use is contained primarily in the
densely developed Old Town section of Bloomsburg.
Location of multiple family, high density uses to fill the housing needs
low Income families, elderly persons, single persons and college students should be based on "walking distance" to commercial and cultural
facilities and other necessary community services. Development Intensity,
in theory, is related to its distance from the retail core of a community.
That is to say, the further away from downtown facilities, the less intensive the use should be.
See following illustration:

6-2

DEVELOPMENT INTENSITY
Of course, this illustration is over simplified, but the basic premise is
valid in terms of land use planning.

COMMERCIAL LAND USE
The total of 95 acres of commercial use illustrated in the area summary
table is somewhat misleading. This is a total acreage figure for several types of commercial uses proposed at different locations throughout the
Town.
The following discussion breaks down the total into more appropriate
designations, functions and locations.
The Plan proposes to maintain and upgrade the existing downtown area as
the Town's primary shopping center.
The Plan continues to stress the
need to increase the utility and attractiveness of the downtown by, (I)
making better use of what is already there; (2) gradual improvement to
existing retail and professional facilities; (3) elimination and/or relocation of incompatible uses; (4) provision of adequate parking areas; (5)
ease of vehicular and pedestrian access with particular emphasis placed
on the ultimate separation of vehicular and pedestrian circulation; and
(6) encouragement of new business activities to locate within a ccmpact
commercial area. These are the primary factors which will enhance and
maintain Bloomsburg's position as a vital retail center in Columbia County.

To discourage the spread of strip commercial use, provisions are made in
the Town for a neighborhood commercial area adjacent to the Downtown to
Strip commercial deprovide a transition into the residential section.
velopment is inefficient and weakens the existing shopping center. Business thrives on concentration and competition rather than dispersion.
Several other small retail convenience centers are proposed to serve the
needs of the local neighborhood for such services as grocery stores, drug
stores, barber shops, and similar facilities within easy walking distance
of most residents.

6-3

The commercial area proposed along Route II will continue to provide
areas for highway oriented facilities which require a large land area
Facilities such as driveand are not compatible to a central location.
in restaurants, motels, theaters, shopping centers, warehouses, distribution centers, automotive sales and services illustrate uses appropriate
to thi s area.
The opening of 1-80, the Keystone Shortway, increased Bloomsburg's accessibility to a large number of travelers.
Although the Buckhorn Interchange
Area to the west and Light Street Interchange area to the east have responded to demand for transient services, Bloomsburg must also respond and
become attractive to the tourist trade.
Accommodations such as lodging,
restaurants and specialty shops should be established where practical and
economically feasible. The adherence to sound land use policies and design standards will increase the attractiveness of a
facilities thereby
assuring the Town its share of the overall benefits from this significant
form of economic input.
I

INDUSTRIAL LAND USE
The lack of vacant land tree from flooding, level and well drained, serviced by water and sewer facilities and adjoining major lines of transportation, both highway and railroad, has been a problem in Bloomsburg
for many years and has subsequently limited new industrial development.
Existing development, for the most part, has utilized the majority of
suitable sites within the Town, forcing recent industrial growth to occur in surrounding areas.
area, presently vacant, proposed for industrial use is adjacent to the Magee holdings and the Bloomsburg Fair Grounds.
This would
be an area of prime interest for industrial development.
Access and
put
flooding problems would have to be overcome to
this area into productive use.
A substantial

Industrial areas indicated along the Erie, Lackawanna Railroad as it
passes through Town in an east-west direction, are substantially develThe
oped with little potential other than expansion of existing concerns.
only exception to this pattern is a tract located on the eastern border of
Use of
Town bounded by Maple Street, East Ninth Street, and Kinney Run.
this land would necessitate removal of existing residential and commercial
structures, the majority of which are substandard, in order to provide a
site of sufficient acreage to be reasonably attractive to potential developers.
Periodic flooding is a restrictive factor in this as well as most
This is not to say development is entirely prohibited,
sites in the Town.
but rather, certain design precautions must be instituted to either raise
the ground elevation, or incorporate flood proofing measures or both.

Between Old Berwick Road and the Airport, in the southeast quadrant of
Town, is a site which would lend itself well to industrial development.
Although, through
As stated previously, flooding is a major drawback.
proper design, the threat of flood damage could be overcome.

6-4

A significantly potential Industrial site (not to be overlooked in long-term
planning) is the area comprising the holdings of the Fairground Association.
If, for some unforeseen reason, the fairground activity would be terminated,
this 124,1 acre tract of land offers the basic physical features which are most
desirable for industrial use, i.e., flat, reasonably well drained, sewer and
water service, sufficient size and accessibility.
In most other cases, considerable improvement will be required to create
usable industrial sites, such as extensive acquisition and clearance, substantial regrading as well as construction of access streets and utilities.
Strict controls are needed to encourage attractive development and prevent
continued overcrowding, mixed land uses, obsolete structures and general
clutter that characterizes much of the Town's past development.
Coordinated development and cooperation between Bloomsburg and Scott Township
will be required to assure the best use of land, not only industrial but
all types of development, and provide maximum gains to both communities.

CONSERVATION
The largest single land use classification in the Town Is the area included
in the conservation category.
Approximately 1,018 acres, or 34.2^ of the
total land area of the Town is recommended for conservation.
The function
of this delineation is to highlight those areas that should be approached
Steep slopes, wooded areas,
with caution in considering any new development.
marshy lowlands, flood plains, and natural drainageways are included as situations or conditions not conducive to development, and thus should be maintained in a natural state.

Bloomsburg is bounded on the south by the North Branch of the Susquehanna
River and on the west and north by Fishing Creek.
Land areas adjacent to
these Inland waters constitute a large portion of the area earmarked for
Steep
conservation, based on their subjectivity to periodic flooding.
slopes on the transitional hillside from the lower portion of Town to the
northern plateau area referred to as Turkey Hill are also designated for
preservation.
These areas retard surface water runoff, create a natural
buffer between the more intensely developed section of Town and the residential reserve on the hill and offer potential sites for minimum, informal recreational development.
Steep hillsides, north of Arbutus Park
Road, which drop off to a lower valley area through which Fishing Creek
On the east border of Town
and 1-80 pass, are indicated for conservation.
adjacent to the lower campus and East Fifth Street is a naturally wooded
ravine which should be maintained, for the most part, in its existing condition.
An ecological or nature study area would be an appropriate function of this area.
We cannot continue to pursue a course of sprawling urbanization and random development predicated upon the premise that every piece of ground
is "fair gams" for development - limited only by man's ingenuity and fiOn the other
nancial resources for transforming it into a building site.
hand, the planning process must recognize that it cannot preempt an individual 's right to a reasonable economic return for his land, "reasonable"
being of others being to that extent which does not jeopardize the we
present and future. Without due consideration and provision for permanent
open space, development cannot survive.
I

6-5

MAJOR PUBLIC AREAS
Areas shown in this classification in conjunction with community facilities and utilities are specifically addressed In the chapter entitled
"Community Facilities and Utilities Plan."

SUMMARY
The Existing Land Use Chapter of this report Indicates 50.8^ of the total
The projected development ratio is apTown area Is presently developed.
proximately 62.6^ of the total. The major purpose of this report Is twofold.
One, to guide potential development of the difference between these
two figures (12.8^ or 381 acres) as collective pressures come to bear on
the Town to provide for future needs; and two, establish policies to gradually ease problems arising from premature judgements of the past in those
areas presently developed in an equitable manner.
The following illustrations entitled "Development Economics" and "Development Alternatives" are presented for consideration in terms of general development guidelines on which to base future decisions. They are Intended
to be "rule of thumb" reference when the economics of development are
weighed in the final analysis of desirable goals and objectives of overall
community development.

6-6

DEVELOPMENT

ECONOMICS

SINGLE FAMILY
S 1200.oo

COVERAGE

16 V.

TAX YIELD

DENSITY

10U/AC

MUNICIPAL COST

VALUE

UO.ODO.oo

SUKPUIS

lOSO.oo
J 150.GO

lOWKHOUSE
COVERAGE

IBVo

TAX YIELD

DENSITY

30U/AC

MUNICIPAL COST

VALUE

$75,000.00

* 2250.CO

SURPLaS

1650.00

600.00

GARDEH APARTMENT
COVERAGE

DENSITY
VALUE

6DU/AC

TAX YIELD

532(.0.K!

MUNICIPAL COST

JlOB.000.oo

1700.DO

SURPLUS JlSiO.Do

TTrmm

INDUSTRIAL
COVERAGE
VALUE

157.
U0,000.oo

TAX YIELD

J 1200.00

MUNICIPAL COST

SURPLUS

^liY
I

60.00

JlUO.oo

source: landscape

architecture-

JAN. 1974

DEVELOPMENT

ALTERNATIVES

SURFACE WATER

BOGS

FOnEST

GRASSLANDS

SINGLE
FAMILY
SUBDIVISION

OPEN
SPACE
COMMUNITY

WETLANDS

Ctt''J>ARISON

UIID STATISTICS
1.

167.9 AC.

Total Site Area

3. Surface Vater

J5.ll AC.

3. Ket Lanes

10,5 AC.
US. 9 AC.

1. U5.-bui>jiable Lakd

5. Builqable

W.a

Uns

122.0 AC.

USES

S.F.O,

1 AC.

1/2 AC. LOTS

3. TotWKOUSES

"t.

Garden Apartments

Totals

PROJECT SaTORItS

S2
106

total

152

GROSS
DE«S[TY

IMPERVIOUS
COVER

27100
ffV.'ii'S

LAAES

OPEN SPACE
LAND

SiHG'.E Family

SusoivisioN
2,

O.S.C.

106

LOTS

106

0.63 lu/ac

15.71

35.1 AC

7.3 AC

25.5:

1.61 du/ac

15.91

35.11 AC

62.1 AC

58.11

Open Space
C0»J'.JN1TY

STATISTICAL

COMPARISONS

source: landscape
architecture- jan. 1974

CHAPTER

SEVEN

CIRCULATION PLAN

CHAPTER SEVEN
CIRCULATION PLAN

INTRODUCTION
The primary thing that a highway does is change the relative location of
places v/ithin the region it passes through. The changes in relative location then affects the urban centers and the activities associated with
them.
The following chart will illustrate the interrelationships of
transportation and activities:*

Route Patterns f«
of Highways

Geographic Arrangement
of Production and
Consumption Activities

Use Patterns
of Highways

Consumption and
Production Activities

As a result of the changes in the relative location, some sites open up
to investment opportunities while others become economically obsolete.
One of the purposes of Interstate 80 is to bring Bloomsburg closer to
other urban centers. Being more accessible to other regions, the Bloomsburg Area will become more economically viable.

HIGHWAY COSTS
In order to get more accessibility through a new highway, a community
might have to pay some of the price.
Some of these costs are:

Some will be hurt only
temporarily during highway construction. Other businesses might be
impaired permanently due to changes in relative location.

A new highway could hurt some businesses.

A new highway could take valuable

The existence of a highway could cause some traffic congestion and/or
environmental deterioration.

land out of production.

Spatial Organiza*Abler, Ronald; Adams, John S; and Gould, Peter.
Inc.)
tion (Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey; Prentice-Hall,
1971, pg. 293.

7-1

Highway construction could disrupt neighborhood relationships.

A new highway could cause greater local government costs due to increased demand for police and fire protection, sewer and water services, and other utilities and services.

Local

A new highway could have negative

communications and traffic might be disrupted by a new highway.
inputs on relative accessibility of

some sites.

HIGHWAY BENEFITS
At the same time, a new highway could have tremendous beneficial effects
upon the region.
Some possible benefits are:
1.

The term economic
large economic growth.
growth includes the introduction of new business and industry, the
expansion of existing economic establishments, and new employment ishments.
A new highway could cause

Providing the area's population with increased accessibility to other
regions, thus increasing economic and social opportunities, and competitive marketing.

A new highway could reduce travel

time between key nodes and markets.

Sound planning by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the
Community should be directed at minimizing costs and maximizing benefits.

WHAT THE COMMUNITY SHOULD DO
Building a highway does not necessarily guarantee economic and social
growth.
To ascertain the impact of highways, two basic questions must
be answered.
1.

What effect has the Highway Program had on the Region to date?
Is

it doing

what

it was

designed to do?

If the answers to these questions are negative from the Community's viewUnless
point, perhaps it is because the Community is not doing its job.
be to
a community does the necessary things, all the highway will do wi
serve as a by-pass around the community.
The community should:
I

Provide for community facilities, utilities, and other public services
in advance of demand.

Ensure the aesthetics of the area.

7-2

Implement land use controls, especially at interchanges, to ensure
proper development while at the same time protecting open space and
prohibiting development in those areas that are unsuited for development; i.e., slope areas, flood plains, etc.

Create an Industrial Development Agency with authority to acquire
large tracts of land and develop tracts as industrial parks.

Participate

mu ti -community planning and development program.
I

There are three basic measures of the potential

impact of a highway on a

reg on
i

The reduction in travel time from the region to regional and national
trade centers.

The increase of national and regional trade centers that can be reached
within 2.5, 4, and 6.5 hours of travel time.

The increase in the index of potential economic interaction with regional centers.

REGIONAL HIGHWAYS

Bloomsburg is strategically located with regard to an excellent highway
system which places the Town within a day's Journey or overnight trip to
major ciiies in the east and midwest. Bloomsburg is located along the
Pa. Rt. 42; Pa. Rt. 487; U. S. Rt. II; and Interstate
following routes:
80.

Pennsylvania Rt. 42, a north-south highway, interchanges with U. S. Rt. II
at the west end of Town and continues south across the Susquehanna River
at Catawissa en route to Central
Pa. Rt. 487, also a north-south higha.
way, passes through Town via Lightstreet Road, East Street (running concurrently with U. S. II), Poplar Street, and Ferry Road across the Susquehanna River and into Catawissa. U. S. Rt. II, a major north-south highway
extending from Canada to Mexico, runs through Town via the Danville Road,
interstate
Main Street, East Street, Sixth Street and the Berwick Highway.
80, or the Keystone Shortway as it is referred to in Pennsylvania, is an
east-west cross country thoroughfare. Access to 1-80 from Bloomsburg is
via Pa. 487 (Lightstreet Road) to the east and via Pa. 42 to Buckhorn and
the west.
Relationships of highways in the Bloomsburg Area are illustrated
on the map entitled "Bloomsburg Area Regional Access."
I

PLAN OVERVIEW
The Circulation Plan, proposes a program of street improvements of both
physical and regulatory nature, to provide easy and continuous lines of
travel for present and anticipated traffic through and around the Town.
Most of these improvements can be carried out within the framework of the
present street pattern by correcting existing alignment defects, extending

7-3

and/or improving existing streets, implementing traffic flow regulatory
It is recommended that
measures and a limited amount of new construction.
these improvements be implemented as soon as ecomomically possible rather
than waiting for the existing corridor to fall even further short of demands.
One of the Town's major traffic problems is created by the lack of a well
defined street system or corridor to channelize the traffic to a few streets
designated for this specific purpose. The present "gridiron" pattern encourages, more than discourages traffic to use nearly every street for travel through the different sections of the community.
Streets must be designated to carry certain types and volumes of traffic and must be designed
and constructed to desirable minimum standards for this specific purpose.
Major and secondary streets must be the primary movers of traffic through
the Town; and accordingly will require the effective use of traffic lights,
stop signs and other regulatory measures to control and minimize conflicting
traffic and reduce innumerable potential hazards.
At the same time, local
streets will be spared the heavy traffic load and will function basically
as a means of connecting individual land parcels with the highway network.

HIGHWAY AND STREET CLASSIFICATION
As Illustrated on the "Comprehensive Plan Proposals" Map, the highways and
streets are classified according to the type and volume of traffic that is
expected to be carried and the capability of each street to move traffic
around and through the Town.
In terstate - Limited access highways that move large volumes of high speed
Interstate 80, of course,
traffic betv/een communities, regions and states.
Passing through the northern section of
illustrates this type of highway.
Town, access is provided to the east by an interchange with Pa. 847 (Lightstreet Road) and to the west at Buckhorn by an interchange with Pa. 42.
The opening of the Keystone Shortway has reduced the volume of "through
At the same time it has
traffic" which previously burdened Town streets.
opened up new territory for development in terms of highway oriented commercial uses.

Primary Circulation - Refers to those streets that carry a major portion
of traffic through Bloomsburg, provide major access to the downtown and
nearby communities.

Secondary Circulat ion - Streets of this classification distribute traffic throughout various sections of Town and serve as feeders for primary
roads.
Local Circulation - The remainder of streets which provide access to abut-

ting properties.

The following proposals are recommended to improve the overall circulation
pattern in Bloomsburg:
"

Widen Railroad Street from Sixth Street to Fishing Creek to include the
vacated Railroad right-of-way.

7-4

Improve Railroad Street, In conjunction with widening program, to support heavy industrial traffic.
Particularly the section from Sixth
Street to
Ith Street and then west on Nth Street for approximately
800 feet.
I

Correct alignment defects on River Road. This would eliminate several
hazardous curves and facilitate development of a recreation area at the
covered bridge site.
Re-alignment of the intersection with Main Street,
directly across from the old Pa. 42 bridge is also recommended.

Establish one-way traffic: east on Sixth Street from Railroad Street to East Street.

west on Fifth Street from East Street to Railroad Street.
"

Encourage the use of Fifth Street and its extension through Scott Township to be the primary controlled access to the Lightstreet Interchange.
Topographic conditions have restricted development along this route, thus
minimizing congestion and maximizing ease of access. A "widen and improve"
program would make this road ideal for the purpose.

As Arbutus Park Road assumes an increasing ly more important role in the
circulation plan, (access to the upper campus and development potential),
re-alignment of two hazardous "switch-back" curves will be necessary.

Construct the extension of East Tenth Street from Ferry Road to Old
Bereick Road at the intersection of Park Street to provide for local
access to U. S. Rt. II and the Lightstreet interchange via Fifth Street
extended, without going through the already over-burdened intersection
of East and Sixth Streets.

Provide a one-way circulation loop which would include Main Street, from
the Town Hall up to Penn Street, Penn Street to Lightstreet Road and one
way on Lightstreet Road back to the Town Hall. This would eliminate several conflicting traffic movements at the intersection of Main Street,
East Street, and Lightstreet Road.
Two-way traffic would be maintained
on Lightstreet Road from the Penn Street intersection to the 1-80 interchange.

Intersection improvements are needed to improve sight distances, reduce
congestion and expedite the flow of traffic through channelization and/or
signal controls at the following intersections:

River Road and Main Street
Railroad Street and Main Street
East Street, Lightstreet Road and Main Street
Penn Street and Main Street
Penn Street and Lightstreet Road
Fifth Street and East Street
Sixth Street and East Street
Fifth Street and Railroad Street
East Tenth Street and Ferry Road
East Tenth Street and Old Berwick Road
Arbutus Park Road and Millville Road

7-5

Replace Ferry Road River Bridge
Maintain Lightstreet Road as a resi dential ly oriented corridor by prohibiting strip commercial development.
A recommendation to this effect
should be forwarded to the Scott Township Planning Commission, the Township Officials, and PennDOT.
o

Municipal Parking - A study of parking supply and demand to make recommendations for more efficient use of existing surface parking facilities
and provisions for additional facilities in appropriate areas as identified by the supply and demand study.

SUMMARY
Although Bloomsburg's accessibility is excellent from a regional point of
view, there are transportation problems from a Town perspective.
Large
scale industrial and commercial uses in and near the Town generate a large
volume of truck traffic. The College and the downtown area are also significant traffic generators not to mention the area residents which commute
to and from work each day.
Bloomsburg must recognize its position in light
of a development/traffic ratio and strive to satisfy the demands and pressures for adequate, smooth flowing traffic patterns through institution of
sound traffic management principles.

7-6

~new Aioanye
^gaensbufg

-r
^

^TLiberty

/
.'

—^

Soaring ££a.n(lh^_^^^.\

S-

J49

^' y^A

L3
V.SIeatn

Ville*',.

•

'-V

^ivv

Lttgan

Mouie^^^

TroLt Run

"A 031]

-.•."-.'--.A-.'' .

=»*':'.*.--••.

:•

•

:;
.

)altqi^

i*""—"Vrrn

^sTiuikhannock
"^
2,

Gl^nburn^

^§321-

.„,l/Wallwil»'

^Factoryvi

E3lonville[3Q9

trfF^ikVpN^_^
.

Ovetlon

.-^-^

3%^"^f^-^-;;^

Russell

"~^

^/,3

>-^

^Mildre d

m//

MiUCity>

jvu g

Bernice\Lopez^^^

X^J

Scr^htor

-arflnesA-

^f\
"^ r-^

Powyij^

\ .^w.

Slalion

fiT
Hepbuihville

93]

West

^5R^ su

e|juieeiieii

HazlS\o^-^\'

_
^Oneida

Kelayres

Shepplon

:S>rfi5°.

26^f|a,,S<'

Ne sq u eh onjng^J-i^

\
r§24l [339l

^> Weatherly

vLanS'

Delano '-.^fSl'^'y^

Lehigh
Honifii

-,^

Summit

dale
MiddleburgI

Hill

Br, Bahom

r..;,..

--/

"V X-'^"
All

Pi^aianl

-^^

vlrevrort^

—-^

.^MounljinJ

.^J*-'^

Pilm.Tn

»S^^^\J5'''^"TFountam
'v^^" ^Lavelle/ Spring!

LAKE

Brpckton^"^/

^
.:-5

)

Pottsville//lW

New

,la'.^

New

TfiptlL

Ringgold ,, »^..

r3i

'V.

RouKh and Ready

tlil^'^^^'Bj^JieK

Llewellyn

•

Cressona\
k

^J/L--'

Pillow^-

viiic

_^^^_Xf443r'-.Schuylkill

'^-^^

iTremonl

^Haven

Ravine

l,ake

Xbut ^"CliaM
P^rt

eerrysbufgl.
l-'Reinerton-

iT^Deer
'

...../:.-^

13^:

^'*yE!izabethville
rsburg

yr^.--^''''''^

•

MEMORIAL

RODGERS

and

"^
VlrginvilleX^

^
J-^^Bethel

-1=^

—

\f(V^'o«n

Cenlerport_^

/"*

Aetna

J_/^

^^
^

-ii^

fvtohrsvillel 2

Leesport

Rebrersburg
frtt.

"«"

'yTTt^v.

£tmisstDwfi

-.-r

©(562}
"^><i->-u^

Bernvilje,
Host

[]83]Tu9kefttt

LOOMSBURG AREA
EGIONAL ACCESS
iFTON

iSharliSvTlt^

WP?'*'.^^'^

Station

Rock

Fredericks

:4>>t/

^ne Crove.g3K^89bh*

SLykens

ASSOCIATES

Planning Con.uHantl

GAME
FOREST

SCALE
HARRISBURG

LAND
LAND

MILES

PENNSYLVANIA

CHAPTER EIGHT
COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND UTILITIES PLAN

NTRODUCT ON
I

Community facilities are largely responsible for establishing living standards and developing an image that an area would project to those outside.
Therefore, it becomes necessary to establish guidelines for community facilities that are designed to improve the socio-economic environment of a
region.
Some guidelines for the Town include:
1.

Adequate public buildings to serve as the center for governmental, social, and cultural services to residents and non-residents of the Town.

Educational facilities designed to meet increasing needs with continuing emphasis on the Vo-Tech aspects of education.

Protection to the ecological and environmental resources of the Town
in order to achieve improved water quality and an increased quantity
to provide for safe potable domestic supplies, industrial use, fire
protection and recreational outlets.

Adequate facilities for the protection of community health including
hospitals and medical clinics.
In order to achieve this, major programs must be designed to overcome deficiencies in sewage disposal
and solid waste management as primary steps to providing clean water,
ai r and land.

Identification of open space including areas for recreation, scenic
views, and preservation of flora and fauna.

The achievement of community facilities involves the cooperative study of
the needs and wants of people.
It also involves group decisions, by these
same people, as to what constitutes programs and facilities necessary to
meet their needs.
It also becomes necessary to work out a collective execution of these plans in order that it can provide for the common good;
and because it is not a one shot process, a constant evaluation of the
A
emergence of needs must be made and the program updated accordingly.
is
follows:
as
brief overall statement for community facilities

Government Centers - There is an Increasing need for
services at all levels and the increasing population
acy of this need.
Minimum needs v/ould include space
ings, public meetings, planning commission meetings,
cies and a center for public protection purposes.

8-1

expanded governmental
emphasizes the immedifor government meetother municipal agen-

Social Center - These are often provided as a part of government centers
and private enterprise in cooperation with churches, schools, public and
semi-public clubs and fraternal organizations and some aspects of educational and recreational programs.

Cultural Centers - The socio-economic level of a community is oftentimes
measures by cultural aspects Including libraries, historical centers,
performance centers oriented to art, music and crafts, museums and centers
for music appreciation, ballet and other theatrical expressions.

Educational Centers - There is no issue more vital to the community today
than the provision of adequate educational services.
Children must be prepared during school years to cope with fast moving commercial and industrial programs.
In order to assure Its citizens the best in education, the
school district must constantly adapt to changing standards.
School buildings must be attractive, well suited to the student and provide for a comprehensive modern curriculum; sites must be spacious and convenient to the
students within the district. Uncontrollable forces, however, thwart the
immediate satisfaction of educational aims.
Some of these Include shifting population, obsolescence of structure, rising costs and ever- increasing
requirements for curriculum. Perhaps education should cease to be a cost
to society and become an Investment in people.
In this manner, expansion
of the educational plan would assume the same aspects as expansion of industry and expansion of commercial facilities.
With these thoughts in mind, how does Bloomsburg stand, and what must be
done to maintain an adequate level of service? The following narrative
addresses more specific elements of community facilities as they exist
today and what course of action may be necessary to correct any defiLocation of facilities is shown on the "Comprehensive Plan
ciencies.
Proposals" Map.

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS
Proposals to replace the existing Town Hall are nothing new. The need for
a building to adequately house municipal functions has been evident for
many years.- The present Town Hail is obsolete, deficient In facilities
and unfortunately located at a dangerous street intersection.

Recommendations concerning the municipal building are contained in the
space analysis report for municipal and community facilities prepared in
1972-73 for the Bloomsburg Town Planning Commission.
To summarize, the
recommendations are as follows:
1.

Demolish the present Town Hall Building and use the site for improvement of the hazardous intersection and open space and parking facilities
for the ambulance center.

Demolish the "5th
pal and community
Provided that the
for the estimated
service areas.

Street" school building and construct a new municifacilities complex at the "5th Street" School Site.
new structure is two-story, the site is adequate
building area and required off-street parking and

8-2

Construct new Fire Company facilities on the open area at the sfte of
the Municipal Street Maintenance complex at Catherine Street.

Financial limitations and new responsibilities have slightly changed these
basic recommendations. As an interim measure, the Town Hall is slated for
Interior renovation and expansion to include space occupied by the Friendship Fire Company (Fire Co. relocation discussed later in this chapter).
The style of architecture and historic value of the existing Town Hall has
generated much support for preserving this building regardless of Its future function.

Caution should be exercized in terms of the financial expenditure to remodel the existing Town Hall.
Weigh carefully the short-range function
and cost benefit in relation to long-term plan implementation.
Improvement of the 5th Street School Site for general recreation purposes
would be a positive step toward maximum utilization of an existing facility,

SCHOOLS
The public school system, as it relates to Bloomsburg, is administered by
the Blooinsburg School District Authority.
A long-range development plan,
as formulated and adopted by the School District, is the authoritative
document which guides future development objectives in the realm of public
schools.
The Town Planning Commission and School District officials should
maintain a close liaison to insure compatabi Ity of plans and objectives.
I

It is not within the scope of this report to make an analysis of the educational system but rather to re-emphasize the responsibility of each individual not only through taxation, to provide all children with a good
education to enable them to function in the ever-changing and increasingly
complex society into which they will enter.

POLICE PROTECTION
The Police Department consists of nine full-time police officers and two
full-time meter enforcement officers. Department rank consists of one
Chief of Police, one Assistant Chief of Police, tv/o Sergeants and one
Corporal. There are four patrolmen in the Department.
No specialized
units exist such as criminal investigation, or youth aid.
There are also
no civilian personnel employed in the police depari"ment at the date of
this report. The police office is located at the rear of the municipal
Throughout most of the
offices and is open normally eight hours a day.
twenty-four hour day, dispatching of patrol cars and phone service is
handled by a private company which also provides radio and answering
services to the fire companies, ambulance association and area businesses.
The police department utilizes three municipally owned, radio equipped
patrol vehicles, and one "back-up" vehicle which is not radio equipped.
The scheduling of the number of on-duty police officers for a 24-hour period is as fol lows:

8-3

8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
4:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
12:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
8:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.

Three
Three
Three
One (Overlapping Shift)

In 1973 a survey of the Bloomsburg Police Department was completed by the
Municipal Consulting Services Division, Bureau of Local Government Services,
Department of Community Affairs. A total of 19 recommendations were presented as a result of this survey. These recommendations deal primarily
with the need for increased manpower, increasing of administrative efficiency, policy establishment for duty assignments, training requirements,
(This
promotions and salaries.
A new police building was recommended.
proposal concurs with aforementioned space analysis to provide adequate
police facilities in conjunction with new municipal building.)

As a result of this survey, excluding internal procedure implementation,
two patrolmen are to be hired plus two full-time civilian clerks to keep
the station open 24 hours a day.
In accord with standards for evaluation of police
ness, the Bloomsburg Police Department provides a
vice to the Town.
The Police Department is to be
gressive approach to self-evaluation and improved
the Community.

protection and effectivesufficient level of sercommended for its proand up-graded service to

FIRE PROTECTION
Fire protection in Bloomsburg is provided by four volunteer fire companies.
Rescue Hose and Ladder Company, Liberty Fire Company, Friendship Fire Co.
No. I, and Winona Fire Company (See Comprehensive Plan Proposals Map for
location.)
Volunteer response averages 100 - 150 persons and 200-235 persons for major fires to man the following equipment:
Ford Bean Pumper - 750 G.P.M. (Winona)
Hahn - 1,000 G.P.M. (Rescue)
Ford Bean - Booster (Friendship)
G.M.C. Bean Pumper - 750 G.P.M. (Liberty)
Ford Ladder (Liberty)
G.M.C. Bean Pumper - 750 G.P.M. (Winona)
American LaFrance - 500 G.P.M. (Rescue)
American LaFrance - 750 G.P.M. (Friendship)
1941 Buffalo - 500 G.P.M. (Rescue)
1939 Ford - 350 G.P.M. (Friendship)
1934 Buffalo - 500 G.P.M. (Winona)
International Trailer - Tanker (Town)

1974
1970
1969
1966
1964
1956
1952
1949

Available equipment must be kept in good operating order and replaced as
necessary.
The average life span of a fire fighting vehicle is 30 years.
The proposed addition of a new fire truck in 1975 will enhance an already
excellent equipment inventory currently available in Bloomsburg.
Depending on the intensity of land use, the American Insurance Association
recommends the following service radii for fire stations:

8-4

High Value Area
(Downtown Commercial & Industry)

0.75 mile service radlf

Low Value Area

1.50 mile service radii

(Medium to High Density Residential)

Sparsely Developed Rural Areas

3.00 mile service radii

Note should be made that there are, in reality, two interrelated sets of
standards to determine adequacy of fire protection:
(I) related to distance as set forth; and (2) related to population. The number of pumper
trucks for areas under 50,000 population is determined by this formula:
.85 + .12 trucks per 1,000 population.
Assuming 12,000 persons in Bloomsburg and immediate environs, there would be a minimum of 2.3 pumper trucks
required, rounded to the next higher number requires three to meet the
standard.

A serious problem facing firemen in Bloomsburg is the presence of the
Erie-Lackawanna Railroad which traverses the Town in an east-west direction.
The railroad line itesif is not the problem, but rather, the potential for a long freight train going through Town could effectively
isolate the southern third of Town from fire fighting vehicles by blocking the Street crossings.

Solution of this problem is forthcoming when Friendship Fire Co., moves
from the Town Hall location to its new location on East 7th Street, a
block east of Market Street.
(Note:
This site is different than the
recommendation contained in the space analysis report.)

Generally speaking, the fire protection coverage for Bloomsburg, pending
relocation mentioned above, is adequate. This assumes a continued adequate water supply to all fire hydrants.

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
The Bloomsburg Airport, located In the southeast corner of Town on 58.0
acres of land, consists of a 2,800 foot paved runway and related hanger
maintenance buildings. Consideration should be given to expansion of the
runway to 3,400 feet for safety purposes and to accommodate larger aircraft.
Relationships of flood plain and flight path development controls have in-,
vestlgated In depth to determine the feasibility of this proposal. Generally, expansion on the eastern end of the runway would be the only alternaThere are potential benefits to be derived from the expansion in
tive.
terms of development controls of flood plain areas in Scott Township as
well as a basis for increasing the area to be included in the Town Park
between Catherine Street and Ferry Road.

Presently, aircraft activity Is minimal and the future of the airport is
subject to question.
It is foreseeable that this function could be terminated due to varied economic pressures which may be exerted. Hopefully
this will not be the case as an airport can be a vital asset to a community.
However, possible re-use of this area must be addressed in the event that
the airport function ceases.
Flood plain regulations will be a major determining factor in any re-use decision which may be made. Possibilities to
be considered might be industrial, municipal functions, recreation or a
compatible combination of all three.
8-5

BLOOMSBURG FAIR GROUNDS
Privately administered, this 124.1 acre tract houses the annual Bloomsburg
Fair a local tradition that draws people from all over the State. Continuation of this event is encouraged as a significant input for the
economy of the Town. Hov;ever, if this function should, for some unforeseen reason, terminate its existance, this land would become of primary
interest for industrial development (See Chapter Six).

BLOOMSBURG PUBLIC LIBRARY
Supported by donations, both private and municipal, the public library
serves a vital cultural need in a community.
According to minimum standards established by the American Library Association, public libraries should contain at least two volumes per person of
population served, 25 to 100 periodicals, one staff member for each 3,500
persons served and should be located so as to be accessible within 20 minutes by autcxnobi le.

COUNTY COURT HOUS!: AND JAIL
The Columbia County Court House and Jail are located in Bloomsburg.
While
they are not municipal facilities, they are community (County) facilities
They generate a high level of personal
and are most welcome in the Town.
The Town
and professional services, as well as increased retail trade.
Planning Commission should offer its services to the County Commissioners
in planning for space and municipal services to the County.
Communication
and cooperation between County and municipal governments and agencies is
highly encouraged for mutual benefits to be derived, not only on a governmental basis, but for the benefit of all citizens.

HEALTH CARE

Bloomsburg Hospital, equipped with 150 patient beds and 30 nursery units,
provides area residents with a wide-range of medical services which include: maternity, surgery, intensive care, out-patient, emergency, physiotherapy, and X-ray services.
Presently, the hospital is operating at average capacity with plans to expand to provide laboratory and business office facilities.

Expanded hospital facilities, augmented by local practitioners, presents an
adequate level of health care facilities in the Bloomsburg Area.

SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
The Columbia County Solid Waste Authority regulates the collection and disposal of refuse for the entire County, including Bloomsburg, through contract agreements with 10 private collectors.
A sanitary landfill at the
County Farm Site in Mt. Pleasant Township north of Town will provide area
for proper disposal of wastes.

8-6

WATER SERVICE
The estimated 1990 population in Bloomsburg will intensify the demand upon
the existing water supply, storage and distribution system.
The present
consumption of over three million gallons per day is expected to increase
as the result of population increases in the service area, the increased
use of water per capita and the addition of new industrial uses that require water. Sufficient water must be available for the anticipated demand as well as for substantial storage reserve to meet fire demands, special industrial needs and general emergency conditions.
New trunk lines,
pumping stations and storage reservoirs will be required in order to guarantee an uninterrupted flow of water to the community.

The future growth of the Bloomsburg Area is dependent upon an adequate supply of water for both domestic and industrial uses.
Extensions of water
service have been restricted to the level terrace In the southern section
of the Town and in Scott Township.
Low lying land and steep hills inhibit the extension of water service in
the northern section of Bloomsburg and throughout most of Scott Township.
The lack of a supporting population currently inhibits the extension of
water service into those sections of the Town and Scott Township where new
growth is anticipated.

Close cooperation between the Bloomsburg Water Company* and the officials
of Bloomsburg and Scott Township will be required in order to plan for the
orderly extension of water service Into those sections where it is needed
most.
The extension of service to the upper campus site on Turkey Hill
affords an excellent opportunity for servicing the Light Street Road Area
and the northern section of the Town.
Expanded service Into undeveloped
New deareas should be considered as a means of encouraging new growth.
velopment is not likely to occur in areas where water service is not availab le.

SEWER SERVICE
Although Bloomsburg 's sewer system appears to be adequate for Immediate
needs, anticipated increases In population and Industrial development
will undoubtedly require substantial improvements in existing facilities
Extensions of existing lines
to permit operation at maximum efficiency.
will be required as well as replacements, new interceptor lines, expanded
treatment capacity and completion of secondary treatment facilities (currently In progress).

The extension of sewer lines Is restricted on the flood plain by low lying
wet lands and on the hillsides by steep and irregular topography. Pumping
facilities and collector lines will be needed to encourage new development.

*Note:

Negotiations presently underway for purchase of the Bloomsburg
Water Company by the County.

8-7

Close cooperation between the Municipal Authority, Bloomsburg and Scott
Tov/nship will be required to encourage the installation of new facilities,
The future growth
and the extension of existing lines into new sections.
of both the Town and Scott Township is already restricted by the lack of
adequate sewage collection and treatment facilities. Continued reliance
upon individual disposal facilities will prove detrimental to the health
and welfare of both communities.
Both communities should explore the possibilities of cooperative effort
to reduce the high costs of an Improved col lection and treatment system.
Consideration should be given to the many different sources of financial
assistance from the County, State and Federal Governments.

DRAINAGE
The provision of adequate storm drainage is an important factor in protecting the public health and property in a community.
Inadequate drainage facilities permit the formation of mosquito breeding grounds in stagnant pools and extensive run-off on steep slopes.
Flooding of streams
which traverse developed areas not only causes property damage but creates health problems.
Whenever possible, it is preferable to preserve
natural open channels for drainage of storm water because of the great
expense involved in constructing large underground storm sewers.

Protection of existing streambeds and natural drainage areas should be
encouraged through subdivision regulations and a comprehensive drainage
ordinance.

Underground storm sewer lines are required in the built-up sections of
Town.
The storm sewer improvement program in Town is limited and has
done little to reduce or resolve the problems associated with storm
water runoff.
Snyder's Run, which flows above ground for a short distance north of Light
Street Road and is carried through Town in a rapidly deteriorating brick
arch storm water conduit, has continually created problems for business
and residents along Its course in terms of basement flooding and associated
property damage.
The relocation and/or replacement of Snyders Run culvert as well as solutions for other storm water problems will be presented in a comprehensive
storm water drainage plan to be prepared for the Town.

8-8

CHAPTER

NINE

RECREATION PLAN

CHAPTER NINE
RECREATION PLAN

INTRODUCTION
The trend toward increased leisure time, instead of being a much desired
and needed break from the work-a-day world, has almost reached the proportion of becoming a serious social problem in terms of too much free
time.
Of course, this is not everyone's situation, but a growing segment of the general populace of all age groups is facing this problem.
Should free time be expended at random with no real satisfaction, or
should leisure time pursuits be guided in the form of recreation opportunities designed to enable individuals to find outlets for self-expression and thereby develop their inherent potential and achieve real satisfaction for their efforts? This question must be faced in terms of what
recreation facilities are available today, what will be needed in the
future, what are the goals and objectives of a recreation program, and
where does the responsibility lie for providing such a program.
It is not the purpose of this report to make a detailed analysis and present hard and fast answers to these questions, but rather to point to a
potential problem and offer the opportunity to establish a base from which
logical and meaningful decision can be initiated.
At the same time, any
decision on this subject must reflect consideration of a wide spectrum of
input and variables inherent in such a process.

To provide a better understanding of the various types of recreation facilities, the traditional types are discussed as follows:
TOT- LOT

This area is usually small, about 5,000 square feet or a little less in
The service
size, and is intended for use by pre-school age children.
radius is 1/8 mile.
It is usually provided where private yard space is
Area
not available, and is especially important in high density areas.
features include simple, safe and attractive apparatus (for example:
swings, slides, benches, open space for running, and paved walks or paths
for wheeled toys)

NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUND
The size
This is the principal outdoor play area of the neighborhood.
usually ranges from three to five acres; and the playground often comprises a part of an elementary school yard. Service radius is 1/4 mile.
AlThe facility usually includes a play area for the pre-school child.
so included is a play area for school-age children, the heaviest users.
The area is a place where teenagers and adults can enjoy games and sports
and where the entire neighborhood can gather for festivals, special events.

9-1

Typical facilities Include play apparatus, a
games and other actlvitfes.
multi-purpose grass area, courts for games, a shaded area for quiet activities, a v/ading pool, and shelter buildings v/ith sanitary facilities.
In
order to minimize the stereo-typing of playgrounds, the use of landscape
plantings and Innovative play apparatus is desirable.

PLAYFIELD
The playfleld provides facilities for diversified recreational activity
for teenagers and adults, although a section is commonly developed as a
playground.
A part is usually set aside for athletic or highly specialized sports with spectator emphasis.
The size may range from 10 to 30
acres, and the facility is often located adjacent to secondary schools.
The service radius is 1/2 to
mile with a design criteria of one acre
for each 800 population.
Typical features include a children's playground and tot- lot, playfleld and older children and adults, tennis
courts, lawn and court games, shelter, pool, picnic area, parking facilities, and landscaped areas for passive recreation.
I

COMMUNITY PARK
This facility services the entire community and Is located within or near
the urban limits to give the urban dweller an opportunity to get away from
the rush or urbanization.
These parks service all ages and are designed
for yeai round use with particular emphasis on family use.
The size ranges
from 50 to 100 acres.
Typical design features are not standard except to
effectively utilize natural features; for example: woodland, meadows,
streams and ponds.
Road development should be kept to a minimum, but
ample parking should be provided. Typical activities include picnicking, swimming, day camping, and walking for pleasure.
If topography permits, playfields may be established.

—

SPECIALIZED RECREATION AREAS
Golf courses, swimming pools, athletic fields, amphitheaters, tennis
courts and community centers are often included in this category.

OPEN SPACE

Underdeveloped and typically unusable land (for example: ravines and hillOpen spaces
sides) is used for conservation control and beautl fi cation.
also may be small landscaped squares, triangles, or plazas providing breathing spaces in bui It-up urban areas.
LARGE-SCALE PARKS OR REGIONAL PARKS

These parks serve the residents of a relatively large region, usually those
The size and location of these parks
located within an hour travel time.
vary, but recommended sizes range from 250 acres and upward depending on
the types of activities provided and the area to be served.
In many instances, such parks are left entirely in their natural state while others
contain both natural areas and active recreational development.

9-2

Recognizing the fact that not all of these types of facilities are applicable to Bloomsburg, they must be kept in mind to evaluate the existing
recreational facilities in terms of needs and potential development.
INVENTORY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Facilities which fall into the classification of large-scale or regional
parks should be addressed at this point in relation to their drawing
power In the Bloomsburg Area. These facilities would logically include
the fol lowing:
Ricketts Glen State Park - Luzerne County
Worlds End State Park - Sullivan County
Raymond B. Winter State Park - Union County
Snyder-Middleswarth State Park - Snyder County
State Park facilities in the Columbia-Montour-Northumberland Counties Area
are non-existent. Potential for development of this type of park facility
within a reasonable travel distance from Bloomsburg (25-40 miles) should
be investigated and encouraged.
Memorial Park

Memorial Park is one of the Town's finest assets as well as one of the
best recreational facilities in the upper Susquehanna River Valley.
The
plan proposes that the park be further expanded to include the area In
the block between Catharine Street and Ferry Road Including Kinney Run.
The expanded land area would prevent any further encroachment of nonrecreational uses around the periphery and create a land reserve to
accommodate development of a diversity of facilities. This expansion
program is given credence in terms of flood plain development controls
which would substantially restrict all but recreational type development.

Waterfront Parks
Bloomsburg's location along the Susquehanna River provides an excellent
opportunity for the development of a riverfront park. The plan proposes
that the entire river frontage be reserved for recreational use and that
a variety of features be provided to take advantage of this invaluable
community asset. The frontage consists of a relatively narrow undeveloped
Elevations vary from 20
strip of land along the river and Fishing Creek.
to 40 feet above the water surface.
The strip Is subject to periodic
flooding in the Spring and should, therefore, not be developed Intensively.

The riverfront offers an excellent opportunity for the development of both
active and passive recreational features. The strip along the Susquehanna
River is too narrow for intensive development and should be generally left
in its natural state except for the provision of walkways and bicycle trails.
Investigation of the use of the river for row boats, canoes and sail boats
should be undertaken, and if feasible development should be initiated at
once.

9-3

The frontage along Fishing Creek in the vicinity of the covered bridge provides an excellent site for the development of a picnic and fishing facility.
The proposed site is large enough for the development of a substantial
facility for both local residents and persons residing outside the area.

Aside from the recreational benefits to the Town, the riverfront park development would provide an exceptional attraction for the increasing number of tourists that visit the Bloomsburg Area.
Park visitors would patronize local stores and services and thereby contribute to the general
economy.
An area of this type, well developed, could be a major plus
factor for Bloomsburg in times of public assembly, eg. the Fair; College
homecoming and alumni weekends, and for the everyday enjoyment of the
Townfol k.
Fishing Creek Nature Park
The plan proposes that a section of the Fishing Creek flood plain be reserved for limited recreational use.
The site is generally low lying,
poorly drained, subject to flooding and not suitable for intensive development.
It is presently undeveloped except for a stone quarry.
The
proposed park is to serve as a natural area, with emphasis on the development of a wild life refuge, bird sanctuary, nature walks, camp grounds
and limited recreation facilities.

Athletic Park
The existing athletic park on 7th Street, currently utilized by the School
District for football purposes, could be further developed as a year-round
playground to serve the residential sections in the center of Town; pending, of course, successful resolution of a recommended program for cooperative use of the Bloomsburg State College athletic field for football games.
The playground would provide recreational space and facilities for a large
number of children that live within a convenient walking distance until
During
supplemented by other facilities in better geographic distribution.
would
continue
assumed
that
the
site
to
provide
for
spring and fall it is
units.
football practice for both of the educational

Public School Playgrounds
Playground facilities for the Junior High School on First Street are grossly
Acquisition and development of adjacent properties is recominadequate.
mended to provide much needed additional space and facilities.
Memorial Elementary School Site is also recommended for expansion of playground fad ities.
I

The abandoned 5th Street School Site should be developed as an interim
recreation site until the time it is utilized for municipal functions.

Blocmsbura State Col leae
Recreational facilities on the upper and lower campuses supplement the pubOf course, all local use of these facilities is
lic facilities in Town.
based on availability when not in use for college functions.

9-4

Increased cooperation between the college administration and local citizens
highly encouraged to obtain maximum usage of these recreational opportunities.
is

Greenbelt Recreation
As referenced in the land use chapter, areas designated for conservation
offer potential sites for various forms of passive or informal recreation
uses.
Nature study areas, picnicking, wildlife refuge and hiking trails
would be appropriate uses in this type of area.

The abandoned railroad right-of-way starting at Railroad Street near the
bridge across Fishing Creek and continuing around the outskirts of the
development area in the northern sector of the Town, as shown on the Comprehensive Plan Proposals Map, is recommended for transformation into a
hiking and bicycle trail.

Play Space

Playspace for small children of pre-school age is needed throughout the
particularly in the more densely populated sections.
In some
cases, facilities can be provided at existing parks and playgrounds; in
others, a single vacant parcel could readily be developed as a play lot.
A small area of 2,500-5,000 square feet is generally adequate for the
provision of a sand box, swings, slides, and open space for general tot
play.
It may be feasible and even desirable to encourage the cooperation
of neighborhood groups and local service clubs to provide supervision and
necessary improvements and maintenance. Because of size and the many
other factors which determine location, these areas are not shown on the
Tov/n,

Plan.

Neighborhood Playgrounds

Neighborhood Playgrounds are primarily for children 5 to 15 years of age
The ideal loand to a limited extent for informal play by young adults.
cation is near the center of a neighborhood, preferably adjoining a school
site reflecting joint use.
Space is generally provided for athletics,
court games, roller skating, a shelter house, wading pool and game play.
The lack of vacant land in existing residential areas is the primary obstacle to the realization of a playground of adequate size within easy reach
Existing facilities are,
of every residential neighborhood in the Town.
for the most part, inadequate for total recreation need and expansion because of site and financial limitations is highly questionable. The
recreation plan recommends that existing facilities be used to the greatest advantage by increasing the variety of facilities offered and that
every opportunity to expand the sites be implemented.
It is also recommended that fully developed playground facilities be provided at all new schools. This is a practical method for implementation
of playground objectives and should be fully explored.

Additionally, every subdivision and land development plan must include
recreation areas to the satisfaction of the Planning Commission and Town
Council as a prerequisite to approvals.

9-5

SUMMARY
A well-balanced community recreation program requires well-defined areas
and facilities located in close proximity to the homes of the present and
future populations that will use these facilities.
The type of facility
and the age group to be served are other important considerations.
For
example, facilities that are to be used primarily by children should be
located as close as possible to the center of the residential neighborhood
served. Recreation facilities normally should not be located along heavily
travelled streets or a railroad; commercial and industrial areas are also
negative influences. However, recreation can be and often is a part of
commercial and industrial programs.
To wit:
industrial leagues for baseball, Softball, bowling, etc.; and tot- lot areas in shopping centers for

child care while the parent is shopping.
The Town's total area allocated to parks and playgrounds, exclusive of
school properties, is approximately 45 acres.
This is considerably less
than the desirable standard of 10 acres of recreation space for every
1,000 persons as recommended by the National Recreation Association.
This would require approximately 100 acres to serve the present population of about 10,600 persons, exclusive of the institutional populations.
The estimated 1990 population would require from 100 to 120 acres on the
same basis.
Total acreage alone does not indicate the adequacy of a community's recreational area because it does not always afford a measure of
the quality of service that is desirable.
Shape, location, distribution
and type are equally important.
The objectives of the recreation plan are oriented toward the development
of a system of publicly owned recreation sites that would provide a diversity of facilities easily accessible to the Town's present and future population and at the same time would enhance the general attractiveness of
the community.
This can be accomplished by improvements to, existing facilities wherever possible and the acquisition of new sites in locations
where they will be needed. The proposals of any plan are essentially a
compromise between the desirable and the practical. The desirable has
The
been expressed in general terms by standards of space and location.
practical unit must necessarily be expressed in terms of the lack of undeveloped land where most needed and the limitations of public funds.
The solution to the recreation problem of any community lies between the
two extremes. Although compromises must be made, they must be recognized
as such.
The goal of providing adequate opportunities for all the age
groups in the community should always be the guiding factor.

9-6

CHAPTER

TEN

PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

CHAPTER TEN
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the "Public Improvement Program" for the Town of Bloomsburg
is to provide a summary of improvement projects and to demonstrate methods
by which projects necessitating local level fiscal consideration can be
scheduled in accordance with, annual budgeting procedures, fiscal capabilities and an overal
design for community improvement.
All of the proposed
improvements identified in the Comprehensive Plan do not fall under local
jurisdiction; however, those which do will require financial outlays in
order to be implemented.
In addition, many other projects will arise for
consideration from time to time, through continuation of planning efforts,
and they must, of necessity, be incorporated into the public improvement
program.
I

In order to approach these projects from a realistic standpoint, it is important that they be programmed in terms of priority and financial capability.
Such programming should be undertaken with an in-depth view of
both the functional and financial aspects of proposed projects in order
that financial limitations are not exceeded either through initial implementation costs or excessive operation costs at a later date.
Efforts in
this realm should include the preparation of cost estimates and, in some
instances, feasibility studies to assure a sound basis for decision making
processes relating to the undertaking of specific projects.
It should be noted that the intent of this chapter is not to provide an
exact dollar and cents program, but rather to set forth a general procedural framework and to illustrate the manner in which this framework should
This
be utilized in the programming and budgeting of improvement projects.
will permit the evolvement of a flexible program which can be modified
through time to incorporate changing aspirations and conditions.
In this sense, it is important that the procedural framework identified
herein be utilized to arrive at a definitive public improvement program.
This program should be reviewed and updated on a periodic basis in order
The
that a current picture of programmed improvements will be available.
updating
as a
most logical approach for such action would be to establish
part of the annual budgeting procedure at the end of each year.

DEFINITIONS
To better understand the terms used hereinafter, the following definitions
are presented:
I.

General Fund - Utilized for transactions involving the following types
of revenues and expenditures:

lO-l

Revenue Receipts - All general revenues including taxes, departmental earnings and grants excepting those specified by lav/ or
contracted for designated funds.
Non-Revenue Receipts - These include receipts from such sources
loans, refunds, the sale of investments, transfers
from other funds, and other receipts which do not increase the
net worth (assets minus liabilities) of the municipality.
as temporary

Governmental Expenditures - Expenses incurred for such purposes
as administration, the protection of persons and property, health
and sanitation, and highways.

Non-Governmental Expenditures - Funds to repay indebtedness, refunds, transfers to other funds, and similar expenditures which
do not decrease the net worth of the municipality.

Highway Aid Fund - Monies are distributed annually to Pennsylvania
municipalities in the form of State Motor License Fund Grants. The
grants are for the construction and maintenance of local roads, and
the amount of such monies received by each municipality is determined by the number of miles of public roads which are maintained
and the population of the municipality in relation to the other municipalities in the State.
The State Motor License Fund Grants must be deposited in a special
Highway Aid Fund, and specific guidelines must be adhered to by the
municipalities in respect to the manner in which such monies are
expended.
Expenditures from the Fund must be made solely for the
construction and maintenance of roads, bridges and associated drainage facilities; and a specified percentage of expenditures must be
utilized for construction and improvement projects until the roads
are classified as improved in accordance with standards set forth
by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

Special Revenue Fund - Special Revenue Funds are used to account for
revenues derived from special taxes or other specific revenue sources.
The use of such Funds is mandatory when a municipality levies special
taxes with which to provide revenues to finance specific functions
within the municipality such as recreation, street lighting or solid
waste disposal. The financing of the specific functions through the
use of Special Revenue Funds provides several distinct advantages.
When monies are deposited in a Fund designated for a specific function, a greater degree of coordination between the financial and the
This,
physical aspects of the function or activity is obtainable.
in turn, facilitates the planning and budgeting procedures which
should be carried out.
Finally, the use of a Special Revenue Fund
aids in assuring that sufficient financing will be available since
the monies deposited therein may be used only for the purpose for
which the Fund was created.

10-2

Capital Reserve Fund - A Capital Reserve Fund is used to accrue funds
for anticipated capital expenditures for specific projects.
The monies accumulated in the Fund should not be used for any purpose other
than that for which the Fund was originally created.
The advantages
to be derived from the use of Capital Reserve Funds are numerous and
similar to those discussed previously in relation to Special Revenue
Funds.

Revenue Sharing Trust Fund

Under the "State and Local Fiscal Assistance Act of 1972" (Public Law
92-512), eligible governments will receive revenue sharing payments
over a five-year period. These payments will represent a permanent
source of revenue for the Town during the five years, and consequently,
should be taken into consideration for fiscal planning purposes.
In order to administer revenue sharing payments, local governments
are required to create a trust fund in which the payments must be
deposited. The Tov/n will also be required to use the amounts in this
trust fund within whatever reasonable time period is prescribed by the
regulations of the U. S. Treasury Department.

The revenue sharing payments must be used for "ordinary and necessary"
expenses.
In the area of maintenance and operating expenses, the payments may be used for any of the following purposes:
(I) public safety
including law enforcement, fire protection, and building code enforcement; (2) environmental protection - including sewage disposal, sanitation, and pollution abatement; (3) public transportation - including
transit systems and streets; (4) health; (5) recreation; (6) social services for the poor and aged; (7) financial administration - including
budgeting, auditing, and tax collecting; and (8) libraries.

There are no limitations for use of the payments for capital expendiPayments may not be expended for maintenance and operating
tures.
expenses in the areas of general government, welfare or education;
however, capital expenditures may be made for these purposes.
In addition, municipalities may not use revenue sharing payments as
They may,
matching funds to obtain federal grant-in-aid assistance.
however, be used as matching funds under State programs.

O£eration and Maintenance - These are funds expended annually to operate the municipality and to maintain physical improvements erected
and/or purchased in prior years.

Capital Outlay - These are funds which are expended to add physical
improvements and equipment to the inventory of the municipality.

Uti ity Funds - These are funds established to account for the financing of a specific utility such as sewer or water.
I

10-3

SCHEDULING OF PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
The initial step to be taken in the preparation of the public improvement
program involves an identification of projects to be undertaken, the estimation of project costs, the assignment of relative project priorities
and the determination of responsibility for implementation.
It is essential that a schedule reflecting these considerations be evolved before any
financial or administrative programming takes place.

PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
The identification of project needs should not be an arbitrary process but
rather should be derived as a result of an overall planning process for
the community.
V/hile specific deficiencies in the community are often
easily identifiable, their relative importance to the total community may
be distorted v/hen all of the applicable factors are not considered.

Improvement projects affecting the Town will come under various levels and
combinations of governmental jurisdiction.
Some of the projects will be
the sole responsibility of the local government, while others will require
cooperative action with other municipalities. Still others will not come
under local municipal jurisdiction but rather wi
be the responsibility
of County, State or Federal agencies.
I

In instances when proposed improvements do not fall under local jurisdiction; for example, highway improvements by the Pennsylvania Department of
Transportation - it is not necessary that the projects be considered for
Such projects
the purposes of priority rating and financial budgeting.
should be listed, however, to maintain an awareness of their need; and the
applicable governmental agencies involved should be made aware of the lo-

cal

desires relevant to implementation.

PROJECT COST ESTIMATES
An estimate of the cost of each proposed project falling under the jurisdiction of the local municipality is an essential aspect of the preparation of a realistic Public Improvement Program. The importance of realistic cost estimates comes from their use as input for financial budgeting
purposes. Consequently, they should be given careful consideration based
on the best information available at the time of preparation.
In some instances - for example, improvements to Town streets - applicable
Other proposed improvements,
cost data may be drawn from past experience.
however, may be relatively undefined and will necessitate feasibility studies to determine the exact work to be undertaken and the cost involved.
Such feasibility studies oftentimes represent relatively large costs in
themselves, and they should, therefore, be scheduled accordingly as a
part of the Public Improvement Program.

In instances when a proposed project will necessitate cooperative action
with other munici pal ities, it will be necessary to proportionately distribute the cost. This can be done according to population, assessed value

10-4

of real estate, or any method which is mutually agreeable to the municipalities involved. The distribution of the estimated cost should be determined as early as possible, however, in order that each municipality can
schedule the project based on as realistic a cost factor as possible.

PROJECT PRIORITIES
The assignment of a priority for each project indicates its relative need
or importance in relation to the others.
It should be noted, however, that
a priority rating does not preclude the possibility that one or more of the
proposed projects with a relatively low priority may be implemented prior
to those scheduled prior to it.
Since the priorities are assigned based
on considerations as they appear at a given point in time, they may be subject to change as conditions change or additional influencing factors are
unvei led.

Projects necessitating cooperative action on the part of other municipalities in the Area should be coordinated in terms of scheduling.
This does
not necessarily mean that a particular project will have the same priority
It is important, however, that
for each of the applicable municipalities.
the actual timing for cooperative projects be coordinated in order that
each municipality will be prepared financially at the time of implementation.

IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES
Town Council will be responsible for the implementation of many of the Improvement projects which come under municipal jurisdiction; however, in the
case of projects involving more than one community, many options are available for the delegation of responsibilities to joint agencies.
These potentials should be considered carefully In relation to the financial and administrative aspects of the various projects.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
An Integral element of the Public Improvement Program is the Capital Improvement Budget which outlines the financing of the various projects for
future years. The Budget usually relates primarily to the General Fund
since this is the principal fiscal tool of local government; however,
other funds may also be included - although considered separately - as
may be app icab le.
I

order to prepare as realistic a Capital Improvement Budget as possible,
the financial transactions of the Town during the past several years should
Unless unusual circumstances have occurred, these
be reviewed and analyzed.
These
transactions will, in most cases, reflect general trends over time.
trends, coupled with as detailed a knowledge as possible of factors which
may affect financing in the future, should serve as the basis for the estimating of future levels of financing.
In

The intent of this discussion Is to provide a general indication of the purpose and intended use of the General Fund and other funds which may be applicable to the Town, as well as to review the financial operations of the muni-

10-5

cipality during the past three years. A summary of such operations involving
the General Fund in the years 1969 through 1973 is provided in Table lO-l.
Table 10-2 provides information on the tax structure of the Town for the same
period.*

PREPARING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT BUDGET
The Capital Improvement Budget is an integral element of the public improvement program since it outlines the financial aspects of implementation. The
budget may be prepared for any number of years; however, it is important to
recognize that the first year or two considered will usually be the most accurate in terms of financial operations as they may be expected to actually
occur.
On the other hand, it is also important to consider subsequent years.
While the accuracy of the estimates decreases as the number of years considered increases, the estimates can provide a general indication of future financial status.
This is particularly important in relation to projects which
will necessitate monetary accruals over time.
The recommended time period
for the capital improvement budget is five years.

Improvement Program for the years 1974-1978, as well as the tax
structure for the same period and relative discussion is provided.
It should
be noted that the budget relates only to the general fund; and although other
funds may be applicable, they are only referenced in the discussion.

A Capital

MUNICIPAL FINANCES
The implementation of a Comprehensive Plan is often highly dependent on
the provision of the necessary funds.
To better ascertain the source of
and need for these funds, it is necessary to examine the overall financial position of the Town.
By establishing and evaluating the financial
foundation of the Town, the extent, type and timing of programs and facilities can be evolved.
This financial analysis will center on general fund expenditures and receipts; the Town's borrowing capacity; how these figures have changed
since 1970 and how they will likely change by 1978; the sources of the Town's
revenues; and recommendations concerning improvement of the Town's financial
structure.
General

Fund Expenditures

Because of increasing costs and the rising demand for municipal services,
general fund expenditures have risen since 1970 with the exception of 1972
That year (1972) was an exception because of Huras shown on Table 10- 1.

*The Governing Body of each municipality is required to submit a copy
of an Annual Budget to the Department of Community Affairs within fifteen
days of adoption. The structure of Tables 0-1 and 10-2 reflects the general format of the forms which are provided for this purpose by the Department.
1

10-6

ricane Agnes and the need to recover from the flood damages.
Total general
fund expenditures were $638,531 in 1970; $703,244 in 1971; $1,354,455 in
1972; and $773,854 in 1973.
These figures represent an approximate ten
percent (10^) increase from 1970 to 1973.
The 1974 budget calls for a large increase in expenditure to expand and
improve (I) general government services, (2) police department services
through the hiring of two more patrolmen, (3) fire protection through the
purchase of a $35,000 fire truck, (4) the storm sewer system, and (5) the
continued flood recovery program of the Town. With these increases, the
1974 budget amounts to $1,023,500.
It is estimated that the ever increasing need for municipal services will
continue to grow through 1978. Consequently, by 1978 the Town budget is
expected to be about $1,182,000.

Capital improvements will be covered later in this chapter. However, it
should be pointed out now that a large portion, approximately twenty-three
percent (23^), of the money spent from 1975 through 1978 will be directed
towards capital improvements.

Tax Structure

Bloomsburg will raise $524,500 in taxes in 1974 as shown in Table 10-2.
The distribution of tax receipts is as follows:
(I) real estate - 38.5^,
(2) per capita
1.9^, (4) earned income 4.9^, (3) real estate transfer
38.1^, (5) occupation privilege - 8.6'^, and (6) amusement - 8.0^.

While this tax structure appears to be broadly based, there is a problem.
The five dollar per capita tax is not a good one.
It is difficult to collect, does not yield that much revenue in relation to the cost of collection, and is not based on a person's ability to pay.
It is the Consultant's
opinion that this tax be eliminated.
To compensate for the loss by the elimination of the per capita tax, it is
recommended that other taxes be increased. The Town of Bloomsburg, in 1974
had an assessed valuation of real estate of about $14 million.
An increase
of only two (2) mills would provide an addition of $28,000 to the tax receipts, enough to compensate for the elimination of the per capita tax.
Legislature is under consideration which would permit an increase in the
An increase to 1.3^ would more than replace the per
\% earned income tax.
capita tax. Consideration could also be given to property transfer and/or
mercantile taxes as better alternates.
1973 tax receipts accounted for only half of Bloomsburg's income, as
(I) county, state and
shown in Table 10-3. The other sources were:
federal grants
28.3^, (2) departmental earnings - 15.3^, (3) bonds - 5.9^,
and (4) other miscel laneous sources - 1.5^. While departmental earnings
and miscellaneous income can be counted on in the future, the level of inBonds should only
come derived from grants cannot always be counted on.
be used in the case of big capital improvement programs such as sewers,
streets, etc.
Since they will have to be paid back, bonds are also not
a good annual source of income.
In

10-7

Borrowing Capacity
The borrowing capacity of a community is based on the arithmetic average
of applicable revenue receipts for three full fiscal years preceding the
date of incurring such debt. The Town may incur a debt not to exceed
250^ of the average revenue receipts including any outstanding debts.
For example, a community which has an average revenue receipt of $500,000
per year and an outstanding debt of $100,000 could still borrow $1,150,000
without a public referendum. However, there is no borrowing limit providing any proposal is voted favorably by the electorate in a public referendum.
Table 10-4 illustrates Bloomsburg's borrowing capacity based on a

non-referendum situation.
General Fund Income

Table 10-5 shows the incomes and balances of Bloomsburg's general fund
from 1970 through 1973, the 1974 projected budget, and estimates from
1975 through 1978.
From 1970 to 1973 the Town's income (receipts and
balance) grew by $152,328 or 22.5^. Correspondingly, the Town's total
expenditures grew by $135,323 or 21.2^.
In the future Bloomsburg will have to increase its income to keep pace
with the growing demand for new services, new facilities, and the maintenance of existing facilities.
In response to these large needs, sound
budgeting will be required.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
The long-range Capital Improvement Program and the short-range Capital
Budget are extremely useful tools in carrying out the proposals of the
Comprehensive Planning Program. They provide the means for maintaining
a steady pace of much needed improvements and at the same time for introducing efficiencies and economies that are to be gained from the proper scheduling of capital improvements.
The sooner a community turns its
back on making public Improvements on an unplanned, sporadic, hlt-or-miss
basis and begins to plan its public works and budgets properly, the better
off it wi
be.
I

Capital outlays were very irregular during the recent past ranging from
almost nothing in 1972 to about $73,000 In 1970. Admittedly, 1972 was
an unusual year due to Hurricane Agnes, since most of the Town's financial efforts had to be directed towards flood recovery rather than new
enterprises.
This flood recovery process went on through 1973, is still
occurring in 1974; and is likely to keep on for several more years.

Future capital improvements may be financed by:
(I) continued reliance
on current revenues, (2) borrowing, or (3) a combination of both methods.
Either method can be utilized without placing a heavy burden on the tax
payers.
Additional revenue can be raised for capital expenditures by
(I) Increasing real estate rates, (2) increasing the ratio of assessed
valuation to market value, and (3) utilizing Act 511, "The Local Tax
Enabling Act," as amended, more extensively.

10-8

Borrowing can be carried out satisfactorily without straining the community's financial resources.
The Town, as already explained, has a
total borrowing capacity of $1.42 million in 1974.
This source is adequate for the proposals of the Capital Improvement Program and should
be coordinated with pay-as-you-go proposals.
Proposals for Capital

Improvements

The list of capital improvements has been derived from the proposals of
the Comprehensive Planning Program.
The list is made of two parts; a
short-term and a long-range improvements schedule.
Short-Te.rm Proposals (For Completion by
1.

1978)

Stomi Sewers.
As most of the citizens of Bloomsburg already know,
one of the most pressing of the Town's immediate problems is the
inadequacy of the existing storm sewer system.
A Storm Sewer Feasibility Study is currently being prepared to determine needs and
associated costs.
Recommendations will be forthcoming after the
completion of this report.
It can be stated, however, that the
Town's share of the cost of immediate storm sewer system improvements would be at least $500,000. This directly refers to the
urgent need for improvement to Snyders Run. This figure is predicated on the assumptions that grants-in-aid will be forthcoming to
help finance the project and the availability of a half-million
dollar loan through the Farmer's Home Association of the Department
of Housing and Urban Development of the Federal Government will be
conf rmed.
i

.Streets and Highways.
In order to carry out the recommendations of
the Comprehensive Plan, many street improvements will be necessary.
In terms of priorities they are:
a.

The three (3) intersections surrounding the Town Hall - Lightstreet Road and Penn Street, East Second Street and Lightstreet
Al
of these street
Road, and East Second and Penn Streets.
intersections will require widening, resurfacing, new traffic
While the exact needs
controls, and possibly other improvements.
and costs should be determined by a traffic study, a preliminary
cost of $13,000 to $15,000 could be the Town's share of this project.
I

Railroad Street and its intersections with West Second and West
Fifth Streets.
Railroad Street should be improved and widened
It should
so as to lighten the traffic load on Second Street.
be widened from Second Street down to the industrial areas so as
to increase the accessibility to truck traffic. The two (2) intersections should be changed to facilitate the proposed one-way
traffic circulation. Again, the exact requirements and associated costs should be determined by detailed engineering studies.
A preliminary cost to this project would be around $50,000.

10-9

Intersection of Millville Road and Arbutus
development that is beginning in this area
tersection should be improved to allow the
fic in the area. A preliminary cost would

Intersections of East Sixth and East Fifth Streets with East
To facilitate the proposed one-way circulation pattern,
Street.
approximately $10,000 will have to be spent at these IntersecTraffic signal Improvement currently slated to facilitions.
tate existing traffic patterns will be readily adaptable to the
proposed circulation pattern.

Expansion of municipal parking facilities in appropriate areas
Financial allocations for this
should be an ongoing process.
purpose could vary from $1,000 to $10,000 depending on existing
site conditions and design criteria.

Park Road. With the
of the Town, this Insafe movement of trafbe $4,000.

Town Hall. As an Imrrediate expediency, the existing Town Hall Is to
be renovated. This project could require from $30,000 to $150,000.
For this budget $30,000 will be reflected.

Long-Term Proposals
1.

Reconstruction and re-alignment of sections of River Road.

Extension of East Tenth Street to Old Berwick Road.

Reconstruction of existing East Tenth Street.

Reconstruction of

A severe "S" shaped segment of Arbutus Park Road should be realigned to
facilitate anticipated increased use.

Demolition of the Fifth Street School for recreational development.

Expansion of the municipal airport.

Acquisition of potential recreation areas with a high priority to approximately thirty (30) acres next to the municipal airport bounded
by Catherine Street and Ferry Road.

Continued expansion and improvement of the public sewer system to meet
growing demand.

10.

section of West Eleventh Street.

(Industrial Access)

Expansion and improvements to the storm water system as deemed necessary
as a result of the Comprehensive Storm Sewer Study.

10-10

o
o
o
o
oo
O in
04

in in

in
CM

*f>

v»

rK1

Kl CO
CM

CO CN
CN

««

tft

v»

'S-

•^

CO
CM

o^ in
CM

"J-

CM
CO

*<»

««

*»

Ov
CM r~

C3^

b<>

c^
CM CO

—
v^

—

in
in

in
r^ in

—

CN
CM

vo
CM

—
CM

«/)

in to
CM

CO
CM

in in
in CM
CM

CO
CM

(3^

*<»

CT\

—

N-l

—
—

4rt

—

CO
in in

in -^
CN

CO in

to
CM

in
0^

ejN

00
CM r~

tr\

CM
in
CM

C\
in

—
—

CN ro

H
t
f^ n

CJ\

•<3-

ID CM
to

CO
rn

"J-

"a-

•^

Os
to 00

r^ CO

0
m

—

CO
rn in
CM

^
K\

—
T
CM %r

—

N-l

u-v

-J

— Z CO
Lu rO D—
—
XO
LU

CO
r^ CM

CO
CJv

in in
C!\

LU
-J
CD

Q
r~
zO
< ID
O
U- —
H
I

lO
CM

r>-

K\
CO

in '^
c^

—
CO

r^ CM

—

CJ>

—
a\
to

'a-

r^
so

1^
\o

r^
in

i~-

^
en

Ki rCM

K-l

T
^

—

CO
to

to
a\

in as
T-^ in

"a-

in
in

CO
00
c^

-0
CO

—
—

—~

_
—

as in
ON

•a-

CO
10

>!
as

—

VD
to

10
CO

CO
to

in
CO

—

^
—

•a-

'^r

CM
in

—

CJN

—

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
as

—

t^
CO

m
to

•^

"3-

T
^

CM
to 10

CM
as

—

rID

so
in

in
00 in

o
as

2 —c
Z
Ct
LU
>
<s>

-J

<<3

<
0:

ra
c:
(D

^ c

ro -(L-

—
t-

—
(0

H
(

)

LU
1-

-H

«
CO

H-

—H
1- C
<
\E
y
< a
U1
Q c

c
>H)

'S +-

c
ID
C
••-

1lU
>-

(1)

*rt

\_J
<.

(D
I)

c
co +-

ID -(ID

-H

V
T
^
-r

r
>-

•a +-

c^
1- -1-

ni
(!)

CO
VD
as

CO
ID

c
ID
C

•a

ID -1(D

+\-

^
ni
_i

10-11

HT
f>

ID
l_

-H

.«

CJ I)

—c

«a +-

<
n

—
ID

+CL ID

2
<
—I

P- "a c5

O-Z

III

u
LU

to
=D

-^
ir

>
R —C ^
¥-

—

2- Q-

(

_J
LU

l0)

I-

1r 1

o
>

o
n
+-

s
o
c
c

O
+c

>
E
8

in
a>

+(D

Q.
J£

O
3

X-

u
c
o

—

»*-

•*-

£
o

o
o
ok

I-

m
£
+-

*«

H-

^4-

0)
1-

o
o
o*

ro\

(1)

«>

•o

—

e
ID
>
8
OE

o
u
c

+•
D)

o3
^

z
O

»-'
;5H

1—

C
o

C
c

E
ID
U

o
M4-

D)
XI
XI

3
C

o
•(-

o
u

u
ID
m

<s>

>~
ID

»
ID
in

—

"q.

D)
L.

£
u
c
*~

ID
in
ID
ID

L
O

"Z.

m C

L.
ID

l_
ID

^ Ot- O
IN
0)

>-UJ

c
ir

—

ID
0)

LU cr

O
o
o
o"
o
in

fao

o
0)
c:
ID

Q-

in
1ID

M-

U
£

Li_

>
o
c

L
4-

SL
4-

l_
ID

3 E

<
O

L.
ID

1ID

3
cr

ID
1_

ID
in
ID
1_

1ID

3
O

o
o

—

c
XI

•4_

U
in

x;
f-

£1
Vin

r^
cn

K1
r^
ON
r~-

o
c

CSI

X©
1co

ID
1-

l_
0)

1ID

«y«»

>
O

^
o\

c c
4-

o
o
in

X L

E
c

o
o

H-

0)
CL.

x:
4-

C
C

—
x:
ID

Q-

c
3

•+-

—

tSI

r^
Ov

t—

—

L
3

in
ID

c
——
SL
4—

cn
1ID

o
4-

L
o

x:
4-

ID
1-

-Q

—

Q.
ID

O
o

O-

SI O
\- Htr\

>4- 4-

L
D

x:
4-

>~IM
ID

s
x:
cn

lID

ID
in

4in

O
—o

—

lO
LJ
(-

^
+oc

—

O-

1ID

o c

c X
•—
0)
in
ID

o
L

H-

-H

in
ID

p
l_ c
a. o
ID

ID
in
ID

o
»*-

j:
1-

O-

'4-

N-1

fee

-C
+_

O
O

E
o

x;
1-

in
1-

o
o
^
^
"J

f-s

•*-

oO
O
in in
oo
o
o CN in
1^ o
CM
1

o
J=

£r

O-

ID
1.

u
ID

•D

J-

in
in
in

m
o

u
3

UJ 1-

£
o

(D
in
ID

-i

o
c
o
T5

•-

—s

<->

in
ro

> c
O ID
1

C 4O c
C 0)

«i
cn u
1_
ID

—

>
o

X
X
41O o O
<s>

'I-

Cft

10-12

o
oooo
o
(N O O O O
o. o. o.o•
^T
O
— *^
CN
OO
fO
m

o
o
o

est

*»«»

o
—o
oo
o
o
o in
in
o
CN
O**/>

o
o
o
r^
—

o
o
o
—

o
o
o
o
in

o
o
o»
VO
m
V*

v»

o
o
o
o\
o
to

o
o

o
o
o

o
o
m

o
o
o

o
o
o»

o
o
o•

o
o
in

CTi

*/»

o
o
o
CN
^
(N

oo
o
—o
in in
o r^
o « r^^ o
o«
O CN CO
O
in in — po
r^

•K

r--

r->

*rt

•Kb^

CM
b«>

oo
—o
oo
o
o
in in o
oK o
*
« «
O
—^
fO
O T CN

o
o
o

r~
in
r0^

«£>

in (N

««»

(SI

o
—o
oo
o
oo
o
o« o
o
o
^ « K

o
o

—

o
o
o
oo
oo
o
vD o in in
in CO (sj in
(N <« CM

(SI

o
o
o
ro r^
o
oo
lO O VO m

o
^

</»

(SI fe^ CSI

^o
—o
o
oo
VO ^ o
mm—
oo
iO CM

crv

fc^

•.*»9

^
o
^

in CO CM in
CM t/» CM

o\
—

o
o
o
o

—

«A

*i^

m in
— f^
CM
p^ — VD
—
00
c>
tA —

CO
p^
CO K1

(3%

IE
—O
in —

O
CM

CJv

—
-w

o
in

CM
CO

to
CM
CM

•a-

a^
t^

cr>

—

o
in

in
to

o
o
o
(Jv

(N
00

o
CM
ro

in
M^

w—
CJ^

•<r

o
in

o
o

o
o
CM

rsi

(j\

in
in in
a\

o r^ m
—o
CO
o—
in r^ CO
CT»

CM
v=»

CO
CD

csi

O
r-

M-

I---

CM
CM

vj-

CM
CO 0^ VO CM

«»

(SI

m
—o
in

o
o
o
o
o

«rt

O
+-

LjJ

-1-

— 3
E>
^

LU
h-

<
1-

•(-

crt

U)
in

-J

LJ
01

X
ID

C
o

0)
1/1

^
>
m

_i J3

s- +-

O O
©
»c

—

o
o
g c

H
+ID

L
a)

(!)

-1 J3

o O U

Q_ Ct

cc
UJ
CL

ID
-*-

H- M- -H
<D

(S>

r©
—
ID

<
1-

O
LU

2
1-

LU
1-

—

<
h-

Q-

t/1

3 O
X E Q O
ID 3
C
fc
XI

+0)

H Z < 32

1X1

>
LU

Q
•^

LU
LU
_J

<
LU
cn

of
<
LU

ce
Q.

2
O
H
<
CL
Z3
CJ

o
o
10-13

<
ID

TABLE 10-3
BLOOMSBURG - 1973 INCOME SOURCES
ALL FUNDS

TAXES

Percent

496,223

49.0

26,661

2.6

154,853

15.3

86,814

8.6

172,460

17.1

BONDS

60,000

5.9

MISCELLANEOUS

15,227

1.5

$1,012,238

100.0

COUNTY GRANTS
DEPARTMENTAL EARNINGS
PENNSYLVANIA GRANTS
FEDERAL GRANTS (Revenue Sharing)

TOTAL

10-14

00
0^

o
o
in

t^
K\
CO

a\
r~

in
CM

CTi

'3-

«<

ro
00

o
o
o

•k

•V

to
00

•^

CM
in
in

CM
<D

O
o
o

CO
in
CM

CM
in

00
00

o
o
o
o
in

00
VO
VD

>;J-

O
o

CM
r0^
>—

O
K>
tn

r-~

VO
ON

c^
rCO

O
O
O

vO
ON

VO
rON

ON
•>*

tn
CO

o
CM

in
ON

o
o
o

•i

to
C^
vO

o
CM
o
CM

E
c:
u
©
>
O

in
CO

<o
JQ

CM
CJN

o
in

CJN

^—

a\
in

—

•V

r^
in
VD

•^

ro
Ov
CJ\

in
CO
ON

in
CTv

CM
CM
CO

o
VD

VO
ON
o\
^

in
VO
VO

aVO
VD

•k

CJN

in
—

«*

o
o
o
o
o
in

VVO
%

•k

o
I

—

O
o
_I

CD CD
UJ

o
CD
cc

o
uj

•fc

o
o
o

C3N

ON
ON
ON

o
o
o
in

in
CJN

r--

en
ro
CTv

ON
CM
rin

00
ON
ON

in
r~
in
^

cr>

tn
CO

..c—

^
—

•^

in
CM
in

00
a.

1
1
1

tn
-»
CO
«w

CO
CM
in

CvJ

•v

•k

+
^—
ro

*
tn
CO
to

00
CM

•k

•^

CM
tn
VO

o
CM
tn

o
CM

in
tn

•«

«a"d-

o
VD

o
o
o

tn
i^

Cs|

c
3
E
L
O

tn
•»

•w

O
+^
ID
«n
ffi

+(0

+V)

«.
•^

3
o

o
c
3

>
0)
u

3
o
>

u
o

(S
M-

ro
Q)

q:
»+-

—

in
0)

^3
>
ro

XI
0)
l/l

in
0)

u
o
+u

>+-

s—

C7)

•—

+•

E
_J
b«.

o
c:
(D

o
C

•^

tin

-t-

3 L
c ro
0) (D
> >-

10-15

<
in

M-

u
©
>

u
O
»4in

C
3
O
L.
L
o

j:
H-

'ffi

o©
M-

+Q-

v-*

Q.
ro

l/l

^-^

^--v

—

•—

*i
•^

•teC.

in
CM

CJ)

•o
c:
ro

4in

C
c
•—
•—

E
©
d;

O
c
O

4ro

3
O

—

_
"•
4-

o
©

4jd

JZ
1-

)

o
o
o

O
O
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o
CO

o
o
ok
c^
o
VO

o
o
o*
o
(N

O
O
O

o
o
o

«>

ll^

vr>

CVJ

o
o
in

o
o
o
o

o
o
tn
«
^
in
o

•o

CT>

p^
in

(SI

o
o
o

o
o
o
o
o

•T
in
in

r-j

f 1
c->

in
vn
CM

o
o
t

in
IT)

o
1

I-

^
H

<J
in

•k

*+-

o
o
o
m
in
CJ\

C
10

O
O
O
O
0^

O
O

O
O
•a-

r0^

o
o

fn
CM
CM

lO
CM
in

VO
a^

CT>

—

On
ID

tn
in
in

rfn

CN
in
r^

(N
I^
in

••

CO
fT>

'd-

On
in
CO
«
in
CM
CO

•d-

tn
CO

o
o

rn
r^
r-

CM
in

in
in

-I
CQ -J 1^

m
in

lO
in
CO

tn
(N

CO
a-

^
m
o

-a-

m
—

ID
vO

't
in
f^

—

ID
I-

c
o

CN
CO

*«

in
in

(SI

CJN

rr~

o
i^

CN
CO

m
lO

'a-

CM
in
n\
tn

r^
r^
1^
lO
CM
r-

^
IN

tn
CM

•<i-

fe^

m
CN
m
CM

in
in

CM
in

o
CO
•^

tin

c
(D
o

to^

in
in

tn
in

tn
r^

en
in
ID

in
a>
UJ

o
o
o
in
in

O
C

•D

>
X
10

1+-

Q
O
c
(0
(0

m
in

3
o
>
D
L

o
1.
L
D

I
(0
d)

L
o

1o.

—
in

+a.

Q-

E
5
u
"4-

3
C

•4-

4Q-

ta.

o
<D

O
c

L.
0)

^
+-

Q)
13

C
©

0)
1

o
in

ID
0)

l<u

(D
in

o
t-

o" c

o
z

m
w
c

m
c

o
oo
o
o
o
o• o
o
in
in — in
—
VD
f^

—
^

</» b=t

—

D
o
c

c
ID

10-16

s
—
CN

•>

o—

O
-1-

CN
1^ r^ 1^
c^ CT\ c^

<
_J
< _s
—
CD

s
in

<3- in
r- r^ r^

o
o
o*
o
O

o
o
o

o o
3
c g
<D o
> c

-o.

c
o
c

+CL

o
o

CTi

O
o
o

mO
o
o
o

t/)

t
o
_j

in
b^
tn

—

CHAPTER ELEVEN
CONTINUING

PLANNING

CHAPTER ELEVEN
CONTINUING PLANNING

Community development is a continuously evolving process. Therefore, planning must also be a continuing process in order to be an effective and appropriate guide under changing needs, technology and social patterns. However, such responsiveness must be carried out within the limits of fundamental ecological and sound community development objectives and practices.
All elements of the Bloomsburg Plan as presented herein, should be reviewed
in depth at regular intervals, depending on the rate of development but in
no case at intervals of longer than three years.
Furthermore, no changes
should be made to the Plan without careful study and professional advice.
The principal concern of a Planning Commission and other applicable agencies
and individuals should be to maintain the Comprehensive Plan in an up to date
status and to move towards implementation of the various elements thereof.
A portion of the Plan which is particularly subject to change is the existing land use analysis.
The most practical procedure for maintaining
the existing land use record in a current status is through the use of
building and zoning permit data as input.
In this manner, applicable information concerning the addition and deletion of buildings and changes in
use can be identified and necessary changes can be made on the "Existing
Land Use" map.
This will enable a continuing evaluation of the land use

pattern with a view towards expanding zoning districts and modifying the
other elements of the Plan as necessary.
Along these same lines, the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and
Zoning Ordinance of the municipality should be reviewed periodically and
adjusted as necessary to ensure the incorporation of innovations and flexibility in development. This procedure should include recognition of changes
in enabling legislation and the evolvement of new development techniques.
A continuing appraisal of the activities of the Zoning Hearing Board will
aid in an overall review process, since requests for special exceptions and
variances oftentimes serve as indicators of the appropriateness of the regulations as related to desired and reasonable development.

element of the Plan which will require continuing attention
that pertaining to major thoroughfares.
As existing highway plans are
modified and new plans evolve relevant to regional highway transportation,
it may be necessary to revise the Comprehensive Plan in order to achieve
greater overal
compatabi ity.
An additional
is

Periodic reviews of the community facility and utility elements are also
imperative.
Existing levels of service should be reviewed as to their
adequacy, and programs for the improvement and expansion of service should

ll-l

be adjusted in accordance with changing conditions and needs.
The general
categories to which attention should be directed are public schools, police
protection, fire protection, municipal buildings, recreation, water, sanitary sewers, and storm water drainage.

Since public improvement programs identify the timing and financial means
of providing municipal capital improvements, such should be reviewed and
The financial budgeting and reporting procedures of
updated annually.
the municipality should be included as part of this review, thereby enabling necessary adjustments to be made to projected revenues and expenditures.
In addition, the procedural guidelines for implementation should
be evaluated in light of changes in enabling legislation and available financial aids.
Finally, the various projects programmed should be reviewed
in terms of what has been achieved and what remains to be accomplished as well as in respect to new projects which should be added.
The Columbia County Planning Commission, Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Columbia County Redevelopment Authority are invaluable resources to municipal planning commissions of the County. Continuous liaison should be maintained with these agencies and their services utilized
whenever appropriate. Technical assistance is also available from the
Bureau of Planning, Department of Community Affairs, but, as is generally
the case with the other agencies mentioned, their services must be requested.
In conclusion, the plan elements set forth within this report, the responsibllity of keeping them current, as well as general planning administration functions, should be supplemented by further planning and planning
related activity.
Some have been previously mentioned such as the recreation study.
Other appropriate areas of responsibility are public education including the promotion of citizen participation in the planning process and the coordination of planning activities; while other areas of
concern may be storm water drainage, programming the upgrading of collector roads under municipal jurisdiction, water resource planning, housing, and
inter-governmental cooperation.

1-2

BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY

54D^ DDD1SES3

NA
9127
.B5

RODGERS
ASSOC

(CLIFTON E,)

Comprehensive plan town of
Bloomsbiirg

9127
.B5