Bloomsburg:

Downtown
Revitalization
a study and proposal

FOREWORD
Few things are more difficult

to predict than

the future of a community. Each generation
must forge its own creative link with the past
and relate to complex contemporary world
events if a town is to prosper. One generation
of disinvestment, of time, energy, ideas and
money, and a community declines.
The present generation of leadership in
Bloomsburg is aware of its role in this historic
process. It is prepared to make its investment
in

the present.

Achieving a creative synthesis of culture,
spiritual life, economic growth, and recreation
requires a clearly conceived sense of common
goals and purposes.
This study is directed to citizens
share this process of investment.

who

will

TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOREWORD
11

INTRODUCTION
HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
CONCEPTS AND PLANNING

General Guidelines

Land Use

Building

15
17
18

Historic Preservation

PARKING AND ACCESS
MAIN STREET: STREETSCAPE

2
3

24
26
28
32
32
34
36
38
40
42
46
48
48
48
48
49
49
49
49
50
53
55
56

Use and Occupancy

Downtown
Mall

Buildings: Phase 1
Concept and Commercial Nodes: Phase

Existing Conditions

Storefront and Building

Improvement Recommendations

BUILDINGS
Architectural Values
Architectural Details

Maintenance and Improvements
Painting

THE CRESCENT BUILDING
SIGNAGE
MARKETING
DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
Downtown Development Corporations: Concepts
Downtown Development Corporations: Activities
Profit

vs Not-for-Profit Corporations

Raising Funds

Federal and State Programs
Tax Incentives
The Downtown Plan

REGIONAL CONCEPTS
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX: MAIN STREET ESTABLISHMENTS BY TYPE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

which industrial and commercial pursuits have been developed in
Bloomsburg, the character and efficiency
of its local government; and the degree of
interest manifested in public improvements, combine in establishing its claim as
the most progressive town in the lower valley of the North Branch' of the Susque"The extent

hanna.''
J

ed
Columbia and Montour Counties. 1887

Battle,

History of

INTRODUCTION
Bloomsburg has a proud history. It
commerce and industrial

center for

development. The Town remains

vital.

other central Pennsylvania communities,

however, recent commercial growth has
occurred outside the town, as highway strip
development. While these developments
benefit the region and generate important new
jobs, they tend to lessen the importance of
downtown Bloomsburg as a focus for regional

commerce and human
In the 19th century,

activity.

towns were

None of these towns, however, became a
moderate-size city in the 20th century. In fact,
in terms of land area, buildings, population,
employment and services, they have not grown
much since 1910. A few have experienced
recent decline.

Because they were scaled
laid out

around a commercial core, often symbolized
by a monument or fountain. The size of that
core, or downtown, depended on the
population to be served and the regional
dominance of the town. Central Susquehanna
River towns - Bloomsburg, Danville, Berwick,
Lewisburg, Milton, Sunbury - were self-reliant,

and composition, and
represented a total environment built around
people's needs. They each had a long,
commercially active Main Street. Buildings on
Main Street were not simply places of business,
but homes and offices, shops and meeting
similar in size

places.

These towns

commerce by the
Pennsylvania Canal and later by numerous rail
lines. Today, their proximity to Route 80 links
them to a national highway network.
to larger centers of

important to a society that

had

industries, mainly iron

related, in the 19th century. All

were connected

earlier

became less
had moved to the

suburbs and become increasingly dependent
on the automobile. Improved roads allowed
people to move more freely, to become more
discretionary in their shopping habits. This

movement came

late to central Pennsylvania,
but the impact was just the same.

Now, Americans have begun to examine the
process by which their towns lost their central
place and to develop strategies for downtown
revitalization.

Bloomsburg has begun such a process.
This study

all

period, America's "main streets"

intended as a working

document for the people who will help to shape
the future.

HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURE
The observer standing on the Rupert Hills and
looking up the valley of the northeast branch

Susquehanna, beholds a scene spread
out before him which rivals in quiet beauty the
most famous landscapes in the country.

homogeneity gives the Town a sense
many older communities lack.

of the

Main

cohesion that

Road was

more than any other, demonstrates the
Bloomsburg architecture Within an eleven

Street,

diversity of

block area most building types and styles can be found.

The mixture
buildings

Bloomsburg's built environment is the legacy of the
interaction between its superb physical setting and its
record of

human occupation.

Its

architecture serves as a

visual key to understanding fundamental historic

developments
the operation of the East Branch of the
Pennsylvania Canal between 1831 and 1889, 2) the
establishment of the Irondale and Bloom furnaces and
1 )

their subsidiary industries, especially the railroads (six

independent

rail

lines

were established by the

1880s). 3) the 1845 victory over Danville
battle

over the location of the county seat,

late

a 45 year
4) the

passage of a legislative act creating the first and only
town in Pennsylvania in 1 870, and 5) the conversion of
the Bloomsburg Literary Institute into a State Normal
School

1868.

Buildings and structures

Bloomsburg span a 150

common

confined

of residential, institutional

dramatized by the
in

stylistic

settlement from

and commercial

eclecticism that

Bloomsburg. This eclecticism

not

laid

New

Jersey A year

later the

Reading

out from Catawissa to Ashland

County where later connected with the
Centre Turnpike from Reading to Northumberland A
second Reading road was opened through Roaring
Creek Township in 1812
Ludwig Eyer, a native of Northampton County, laid out
the Town of Bloomsburg in 1 802, four years after Bloom
Schuylkill

differences between buildings but several

may be

evident on one building. As a
consequence, there is no uniformity in the series of
images generated by a walk through the downtown The
total effect, however, is a pleasing rhythm of styles,
proportions, and materials Also, for the most part, the
buildings throughout the Town and on Main Street, in
particular, exhibit an above average design quality and
are well maintained Indeed, Main Street is a microcosm
of Bloomsburg's evolution from a mere crossroad and
styles

canal port to a regional center

Bloomsburg was initially settled in 1772 by James
McClure who moved from Lancaster County to become
the Town's first white settler. He chose a tract of land
named 'Beauchamp, meaning beautiful field, that was
the site of a Delaware Indian camping ground on the
Great Warrior Path "Beauchamp'' and its surroundings
'

year period and display a diversity of styles and
functions. Virtually
residential,

all

styles are represented

commercial, and

Georgian, Federal,

Romanesque,

institutional structures:

Italianate,

Second Empire,

Eclectic Victorian,

Queen Anne.

Colonial

and Art
vernacular buildings that echo

Revival, Neo-Classical Revival, Bungalow,

Deco

In addition,

Georgian and Gothic prototypes are common.
Bloomsburg's rich architecture proudly reflects the
Town's history and constitutes a major resource

The

diversity of architecture

reflected

character of the Town's people The
melting pot.

All social,

represented, often

•J

Battle,

ed History

Town

in
is

the

a virtual

economic, and cultural strata are
the same neighborhood. This

Columbia and Montour Counties, 1887

afforded the earliest settlers, the McClures,

Owens.

Doans. Boones, Claytons, Coopers, and Kinneys
abundant natural resources
fertile soil and iron ore,

—

Former Synder family homestead, now the Dole Building on
in

East Street

particular.

Following the Revolutionary War, the area that
comprises Columbia and Montour Counties was
opened to settlement English Quakers from Berks and
Chester Counties and New Jersey were among the first
to arrive in the Bloomsburg area Germans from Berks,
Lehigh and Northampton Counties followed Roads that
linked the County to Easton, Reading, and Philadelphia
were gradually improved, encouraging more settlement

Township was erected.

and

buildings.

exchange of goods. In 1787, a road
Nescopec Falls opened the County to

permitting the

from Easton

of three buildings

At the time, the

Town

consisted

— a Protestant Episcopal Church,

John Chamberlain, and a deserted
log house. The Town plot laid off by Ludwig Eyer
extended from First to Third Street, and from West to
hotel belonging to

East
lots

(Iron) Street,

each.

comprising thnty-two blocks of three

1814, a year after Columbia County

created from Northumberland County, the
For many, the

home was

was

Town had

the center of production

during the

first quarter of the century However,
Daniel
Snyder opened a tannery in 1812 at the intersection of
Main and Light Streets, and William Sloan began
manufacturing wagons in 1816. Coopers made barrels
for shipping whiskey on arks and rafts to Marietta and
Harve de Grace on the Susquehanna. Downriver, arks
were sold for their lumber along with cargoes of wheat,
clover, seed, and whiskey.
The construction of the North Branch of the

Pennsylvania Canal ushered
of

Bloomsburg

linked

established communities

new

Bloomsburg
in

Industrial Revolution to the

era

the history

to larger

the east and brought the

Susquehanna

Valley

Begun

in 1826 and completed five years later, the
canal
generated a host of small manufacturing concerns

Expanding opportunities

in business and farming led to
population which in turn required the
services of barbers, weavers, carpenters, blacksmiths.

an increase

doctors, and lawyers The first newspaper, the
Bloomsburg Register, and the growing number of
travelers fostered the transmission and exchange of
ideas and popular tastes As the hardships and
insecurities of frontier life abated. Georgian and Federal
styles were adopted for new construction The History of
Columbia and Montour Counties noted that "in the size
and appearance of the houses, there was a marked
improvement over the first erected, many of which had
been replaced by more substantial structures of brick
and stone."

Today, the Town's earliest buildings on Main Street
wedged in among younger, more substantial
buildings or concentrated at the fringes of the
commercial core. Many of these were finer residences
are

which have been converted to commercial use. Some
them date back to the 1820-1840 period when the
growth of the town dictated replacement of original.

primitive log dwellings

Alterations stemming from the
commercial use or from the attempt to
"keep up" with current styles have greatly reduced the

conversion
integrity of

some

of these earlier buildings.

The Daniel Snyder homestead, at the southwest
corner of East and Second Streets, dates from this

On first glance this historic residence appears to
be a sadly altered Victorian structure since has a peak,
period.

a fancy grouping of

windows

with stained glass panes,

and a scalloped-shaped shingle wall covering. Clues to
age of the building are its windows, six panes
over six panes with straight lintels and sills, and four
paired end chimneys. Other distinctly Federal buildings
the real

more of their integrity are located at the
northern end of East Street, on Third Street, and on

that retain

Market Street. They have the same red brick facade and
rigorous symmetry as the Snyder homestead.

Few

of the original buildings

the

Town

are

still

T|
Mam

Street, circa

1910

° f *1
fOUnto/n and StatUe provide a safe ha
vantage point
™!n? to"*
LI"
to observe and discuss
the bustle of the street.

mSl

™ n *» d ™ ^eal

extant, however. Fires, floods

expansion

new

of the

building

second

booms

and the population

half of the 19th century

caused

that displaced the remaining log

and most of the Georgian or Federal Style
homes and modest commercial buildings
Between 1840 and 1860, the construction of iron
furnaces and the advent of the railroad accelerated
economic and social development in the Town.
Construction of the Irondale Furnace by the Bloomsburg
Railroad and Iron Company in 1844 and the Bloom
Furnace in 1852 contributed to the Town's growth and
emerging regional status. They are no longer extant, but
their economic and sociological ramifications are still
buildings

evident.

social ordering

became apparent

the

and details between small, plain
houses built for workers and the more elaborate
Itahanate and Victorian styled dwellings and
commercial buildings erected by members of the
managerial class.
discrepancies

size

communicates their important governmental role
The original courthouse was designed by architect
Napoleon LeBrun and constructed by L. B Cress and
Company in the Greek Revival style utilizing locally
made bricks. The building was later enlarged and

extended to Northumberland through Berwick,
Bloomsburg, and Danville
The Pennsylvania Railroad controlled the line

redesigned

was

the Victorian

Romanesque

style.

The

jail proved to be inadequate and was rebuilt.
Constructed south of Main Street, on the corner of
Seventh and Iron Streets, the jail's massive proportions,
rusticated stone facade, tower and battlements
admirably reflect its serious purpose

original

Mineral wealth and Bloomsburg's new status as a
county seat presaged the advent of the railroad in the

1850s. Between 1850 and 1890, six railroads served
Bloomsburg, no small testament to the volume of traffic
generated by the Town's booming manufacturing and

W. M. Reber residence

D. J

Waller,

compares

homes were successful businessmen who
reaped handsome profits from the expanding
and

capital for the iron industry.
of iron

Italianate style

by Rev

commercial
furnaces

Bloomsburg

coincided with the removal of the county seat from
Danville to Bloomsburg, an issue that had

been

it connected with the
Sunbury, Hazelton and
Wilkes-Barre Railroad, the name given the

Wilkes-Barre and Pittston Railroad when it reorganized
in 1872. In the 1880s, two more railroads were
constructed: the Bloomsburg and Sullivan, which ran
from the Irondale Furnaces along Fishing Creek to the

been opened

stately

The establishment

crossed a bridge and extended up Fishing Creek to
Wilhamsport. It was later extended to Catawissa where

hotly

debated for over thirty years before its resolution in
1845 Citizens wasted no time in erecting a courthouse
and a jail, buildings whose architecture forcefully

Columbia and Montour

Street. First and Third Streets are both lined with
dwellings, but Fourth Street, although projected, has not

favorably with other Itahanate dwellings located on Third
Street and Center Street Many of the owners of these

opportunities generated by the influx of workers

West Branch Railroad, ran along the southside of the
Susquehanna to a point opposite Bloomsburg where

landscape The Irondale Furnace and the Bloom
Furnace are located to the north and southwest of the
Town, respectively. Port Noble, at the end of Market
Street, is separated from the Town, but houses have
been constructed as far south as Fourth Street. Main
Street is heavily settled from west of Railroad Street to
the Bloom Furnace along East Street, then called Main

verandah, and association with one of the Town's most

Rev

that

the Wilkes-Barre and Pirtston
Railroad. Another line from Wilkes-Barre, the North and

1860, documents the effects of
economic expansion and industrial growth on the

the southeast corner of First and Market Streets With its
distinguished cupola, characteristic brackets, gracious
illustrious figures,

was

known as

Counties, published

elongated windows
panes and brackets are located at 1 20
and 146 East Main Street.
One of the most outstanding Itahanate dwellings is the
Waller/Dr.

Scranton, the railroad

and Watsontown
The Cummings Map

with two over two

originally

and the Wilkes-Barre and Western Railroad,
which ran north of Bloomsburg between Wilkes-Barre

distinctly Itahanate buildings with

1852. Originating

canal,

The Hess building, constructed around 1840. has
Federal proportions, but its projecting eaves and
brackets link it to the Itahanate period Two more

former Rev

Delaware, Lackawanna and Western, was authorized

The

residence on North Market Street once

owned

Waller
activity.

go almost as
canal packet or stagecoach could
railroads could

far in
in

an hour as the

a day.

The

first

Columbia County, proposed by Christian
Brobst as early as 1831, went from Catawissa to
Tamaqua as a branch of the Philadelphia and Reading
The Bloomsburg and Lackawanna Railroad, later the
railroad

up.

By 1870, the population of Bloomsburg had reached
3,341 About this time. State Senator Charles R
Buckalew secured passage of a special act making the
boundaries of the new municipality identical to Bloom

Township As a

result.

Bloomsburg achieved the

distinction of being the only incorporated

Pennsylvania, a distinction
its

its

citizenry view with special pride.

unanimous sentiment

was expressed

first

and

An almost

favor of internal

during the

Town

architecture reflects

election.

improvement

Roads were

graded, a

fire

was

service

company was

incorporated, and a police

established.

remained the basic industry

Iron

until

the 1880s.

Then, several factors precipitated a decline. The ore,
not a particularly high quality,

was being depleted along

Montour Ridge Simultaneously, the Bessemer Process
was perfected and the locus of manufacturing activity
shifted westward High maintenance costs and the rapid
growth of railroad technology undermined the economic
canal

feasibility of the

destroyed by a flood
Following the

Civil

at the
in

same

time.

The canal was

1889.

War, despite the decline

economic development continued.

industry,

of the iron
It

was

characterized by a consolidation of basic industries, the

growth of

financial,

commercial and professional

services and the expansion of wholesale and

The increasing

trade.

retail

availability of water, light,

and

growing population, and expanding

heat, the

transportation facilities fostered a diversified industrial

base

By providing more than a thousand
and

the Town,

jobs, manufacturing sustained the mercantile

service sectors of the

Among

economy

most prominent enterprises that
flourished around the turn of the century were the
Bloomsburg Silk Mills, which employed 350 workers,
the Bloomsburg Woolen Mills, owned by E. C. Caswell
and Company, which employed about 60 workers, and
the Fred Fear Match Factory, which employed over 250
workers. The Magee Carpet Company, which grew out
of a small Philadelphia plant operated by James Magee,
began operations in Bloomsburg in 1890. At one time,
most of the carpets used in carriages and automobiles
came from Magee looms The plant encompassed a full
block in 1910 and employed over 650 workers.

The

the

and
Bloomsburg were obvious. The owners
and managersof manufacturing and business concerns
ramifications of the increased wealth

population

provided the

were the

Town

with services and amenities. They
banks and social organizations and
churches They were also

officers of

influential in their

instrumental

the decision to convert the

Bloomsburg
Normal School.
commercial and social

Literary Institute into a State

The growing number

—

new buildings
buildings that provided, through their architecture,
activities required construction of

craftsmanship, and design quality, tangible evidence of
the Town's vitality Three story commercial buildings

PUBLIC BUILDINGS

sprang up along Main Street Bedecked with Itahanate
features
arched brick window heads, brackets, and

—

ornate cornices

— these buildings gave Main Street a

uniform visual character

until

the Itahanate style

was

supplanted by more current styles.

The buildings that today house Racusm s,
Woolworth's. Sneidman's and Ritter's are conspicuous
examples of the commercial
and, except

for

Italianate style. All are brick

Woolworth's, have enriched cornices.

The Sneidman

building features the intricate
overlapping of bricks, called corbeling, along the roof
line,

while Ritter's and Racusm's have elaborate

brackets and modillions.

windows have been given

all

four buildings, the

special treatment. Arches

emphasize the
on earlier
The windows on the

with brick corbeling or keystones

windows which are

usually taller than those

Georgian or Federal buildings.
western side of the Woolworth building are especially
ornate. They feature round panes called oculuses that

windows a delicate appearance.
Modest one and two story, frontier-like, commercial
buildings were constructed in addition to more
substantial three story brick ones. The earliest are on
the northside of Main Street, between Iron and Center
Streets and display Itahanate features, although later
ones are plainer.
Even the workers' houses, sometimes clustered near
the work site and sometimes lining the avenues and
blocks to the south and northeast of town, were

The Town

give the

frequently enlivened with touches of gingerbread or

the century

Upper

left:

The Columbia County Courthouse was constructed

The

vitality of
in its

the

community was most fittingly
The courthouse was

public buildings.

remodeled in 1890 in the Victorian Romanesque style,
and the Town Hall, designed in a more eclectic version

same style, was dedicated in the same year.
Outstanding stone and brick churches were constructed
of the

Gothic Revival and

Romanesque

Revival styles. St.

1846 and enlarged and remodeled with Romanesque
features in 1890

simple brackets to relieve their stark uniformity

expressed

Hall,

architectural

Lower

right:

The County

Jail's

massive proportions, rusticated

stone facade, tower
its

serious purpose.

and battlements

fittingly reflect

constructed

vitality

in 1890, typifies the

of Bloomsburg

around the turn of

Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church, the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and the Presbyterian Church are

exemplary contributions
thoroughfares.

Bloomsburg's main

The Normal School was graced

with a

variety of noteworthy buildings, the

most prominent,
Carver Hall, calls to mind the Georgian style and
Independence Hall with its stately cupola and imposing
setting

bays, colored glass panels

shingles were used on

windows, and fishscale

Queen Anne buildings T. L
Monument Man. built a Queen

Gunton, known as the
Anne residence at 41 4 Market Street, and so did William
Moyer. the wholesale druggist, at 320 Market Street.
The Valley Auto building on Main Street is decidedly
S.

Queen Anne with its polychromatic facade and turret.
Other Queen Anne features on the building are its finials

Doctors, lawyers and prominent businessmen built
Second Empire, Queen Anne, Eclectic Victorian, and

the ridge of the roof.

Colonial Revival structures befitting their high social
standing. The most notable residences line College Hill.

before and shortly after the turn of the century.

Fifth Street,

and Market Street and lend a sense

Town On all these streets,
architecture was toward

architectural grandeur to the

the dominant trend

eclecticism that reflected the builder's desire to blend
Italianate,

Queen Anne and

Colonial Revival elements.

Commercial buildings exhibited the same kind of
eclecticism and diversity as residential buildings. The
most important and visually impressive eclectic
commercial buildings were constructed during the
heyday of Bloomsburg's prosperity from the 1870s
through the

1 920s. When the popularity
of the Italianate
waned. Romanesque, Second Empire, Queen
Anne, Neo-Classical and Art Deco features came into
vogue The Romanesque influence, typically an

which cap the

turret

and balconet and the cresting along

Eclectic Victorian structures

were popular,

too,

both

Moore, and the Moyer Brothers, and the Caldwell

Consistory.

gracious verandah with a pedimented entrance way.
"Crescent'' Building has

The Queen Anne

highly embellished facade

The

popularity of the

Romanesque and Queen

influence

Romanesque
evident

the

and cornice

Queen Anne

style

waned

after

1890 and classical ornamentation began to replace
gingerbread on residences. The result was a transitional
period in which neither style could dominate. The
Magee Mansion on First Street exhibits Queen Anne
and Colonial Revival features Although a prominent
roof

present and the massing of the

irregular, a palladian

window

located

projecting bay that balances the tower

and checks the
spontaniety achieved by the Queen Anne features. The
eclecticism of the building

is evident in the tapering
decorative brick work and massive
proportions are typical of the Bungalow style.

porch

The Keller residence boasts a tower capped with an
onion-shaped dome, a unique Byzantine influence for
Bloomsburg, windows with brick moldings, and a
The

horizontal belt courses of sandstone are
features.

Queen Anne tower

Outstanding structures include the former Frank Keller,
Esq. residence at 42 East Fifth Street, the "Crescent"
Building on Main Street, once owned by Frank Keller,
H.

Anne stylistic elements incorporated into its design. The
windows with semi-circular arched heads and the

piers. Their

Bungalows were popular during the first decades of
the twentieth century. Their low slung forms, textured
surfaces and large front porches reflected the residents'
concern for material comfort, as well as aesthetics.

Bungalows suggest an aversion to the architectural
the Victorian era The Christian Science
Society at 31 7 Market Street is a typical example of this

style

frivolity of

style.

emphasis on semi-circular arched openings, can be
seen in the Pursel and WCNR buildings, which still

Commercial buildings constructed around 1900 are
compared to Victorian structures. A number of
commercial buildings have classical details
plain

retain a strong Italianate influence, too

—

Although the Second Empire style is infrequently
in Bloomsburg, examples can
be found on
First, Market and Main Streets in
both residential and

encountered

pediments, cornices with teeth-like modulations called

commercial buildings. The distinguishing feature of the
Second Empire style is the mansard roof. Other

Trust

characteristic features include classical details,
arched

southside of Main Street between Jefferson Street and
Murray Avenue contain classical elements

dentils,

and pedimented windows, arched double doors, and
first floor windows On Main
Street, the Old
Exchange Hotel, now the Magee Hotel, the single

was

originally

symmetry. The Columbia County

building, the only five story building in
F.

P Edwards building on the

The Morning Press building,

the

Magee Mansion,

represents a continuation of the eclectic tradition.
Old
pictures show that its facade, still beautiful and
unique,

hotel

an imposing

Second Empire structure
Most Queen Anne structures were constructed
before
the turn of the century The Queen Anne
style is most
varied and rich. Towers, turrets, tall chimneys,
porches.

strict

Bloomsburg, and the

elongated

extant from the canal era.

and

Company

though altered, featured an Italianate storefront
Wood
panels and an elaborate hood over the door decorated
the entranceway.
Eclectic Victorian residence at

owned by Frank

Keller,

Esq

42 East

Fifth

Street,

once

The combination of linear and
geometric forms, stylized foliage, and the three-story
arched window grouping on the upper stories evoke the

respect simply because of

The most outstanding

its

monumental

proportions.

feature of the residence

two-tiered portico with Corinthian columns.

The

windows, quoins and dormers
Georgian tradition

plan, palladian

back

to the

The

Bank

National

First

Streets where the First Eastern
of the

floor

all

hark

which formerly
Main and Market

Bank

finest buildings.

now
It

located,

matched

The early twentieth century view
eastward depicts brick

Main Street looking

lined streets, diverging trolley

tracks that emphasize the linear organization of
Neo-Classical Revival mansion

and treasurer

of the

built

Bloomsburg

Sullivanesque style

by F

York,

manager

Silk Mills.

vogue between 1890 and 1920.
and elegance. The
differences in textures and materials between the
monumental brick arch and the graceful wrought iron
window grills gives the building a dynamic tension. The

The building

projects both sturdiness

building also acts as a harbinger of the Art

The

the world

band

Deco

style.

of cut stone incorporating

a globe of
characteristic of the stylized decoration

lintel-like

found on Art Deco buildings.

The

Art

Deco

style

combined

geometric motifs, usually cast

embedded

simplicity of form

terra cotta or stone

the surface of the facade

The

and
and

first

and second

floor

windows

and materials.
No better example of the Neo-Classical Revival style
can be found than the F. G. York's mansion on the east
side of Market Street Yorks, general manager and
treasurer of the Bloomsburg Silk Mills, was a director of
both First National and the Bloomsburg National Bank.
The architecture of the residence, like that of the
financial institutions

he represented,

commands

Peacock and

the midst of traffic, the fountain

lively

N Moyer. The

Venditti building

mixture of materials and styles

The

buildings that

of Fabrics,

and the

building are emphasized by the almost square windows
on the second floor and the brick and stone facade. The
facade of Venditti s, however, is lighter and more
intriguing because of the absence of symmetry and the
use of a variety of materials
multi-colored tiles, brick,
stone, iron and wood. A unique feature of this building is
a two and one-half story residence wedged into an
opening at the rear and connected to the main structure.
By 1920. the population figure was double that in
1870, and the town had expanded in all directions. The

—

buildings constructed during the early twentieth century

Town's prosperity and awareness of national
The architecture of the period
projects stability and confidence in the future, although
the Town gradually ceased to generate the same
degree of economic activity as in preceding years. The
growth of Bloomsburg State College mitigated the
effects of the Depression and ensuing economic and
social changes did little to alter the character of the
Town and Main Street, in particular
reflect the

architectural trends.

house Venditti s Travel, the House
Telephone Store, more than any

Bell

others, deserve recognition for their high

Town's center as
and significance.

visibility at

the

well as for their architectural details

Despite inappropriate stone siding that obliterates the

corbeled cornice and original brick facade, the House of
Fabrics building, formerly the
W. Hartman and Son's
I.

Store and,

later,

Heyman

Italianate features to link

National
it

Bank

and other

building that

stylistically to

enough

the First

once stood catercornered
on Main Street.

Italianate structures

The Pursel
features, as

Brothers, features

building

does the

has notable Romanesque
once owned by

Venditti building,

—

Queen Anne and Classical Revival, in addition to
Romanesque The massive proportions of the Pursel

should be respected today.

are a sensitive counterpoint to the severity of the
building's lines

and statue provide a safe vantage point to observe and
discuss the bustle on the street
The photograph reveals an attention to detail and
design that is not matched today. The arrangement of
the bricks on the street, the embellished bench legs, the
saw-tooth edged awnings, and the abundance of
architectural embellishments convey a message about
quality and function that need not be duplicated, but

original

Farmer's National Bank combines Neo-Classical and
Art Deco features. The graceful swirls created by the
eagle and floral motifs and the elegant gem-like

modilhons between the

commercial space on Main Street, the memorial
statuary and the fountain. Ringed with benches, the
fountain symbolized a different conception of the role of
Main Street. The manner in which people congregated
in the photograph reveals the important social function
being served Located

contains a

and materials the three buildings that
denote the importance of this intersection

size, scale

continue

Town's

building,

stood on the southeast corner of

was one

Second Empire residence on South Market

Street

The Town's

position as a county seat

makes

natural shopping center for the entire region. With the

COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

production and processing of woolen and

silk goods and
Bloomsburg remains a
textile manufacturing center, as well as a commercial
center. Bloomsburg, appropriate to its name, is a leader

the manufacture of carpets,

the cut flower industry.

addition, canning, printing

and metal fabricating are important economic activities
facilitated by Interstate 80. Bloomsburg Hospital and
Bloomsburg State College provide additional
employment opportunities, and the annual Fair attracts
spectators from throughout the state.

Main Street continues

and eclecticism

be a microcosm of the
Bloomsburg's architecture.
New construction, though not abundant, has added a
new dimension to the streetscape. The contemporary
emphasis on function has led to the construction of
diversity

plain,

one

unrelated

such as Penney's, that are
and materials to their historic

story buildings,
in

size

counterparts, and the extensive remodeling of older
buildings, using plastic

The most
"Boom

town' facade of post-Civil War commercial

building

and metals.

architecturally significant

buildings, the First Eastern

contemporary

Bank and the Bloomsburg

Bank, utilize materials similar to those of the buildings
adjacent to them, although their scale is noticeably
different from older buildings on Main Street.

Bloomsburg's architecture, significant because

represents an unusually dense collection of residential,
social, religious

and commercial buildings

that display

every style popular between 1830 and the
present, is a veritable template for tracing the growth

virtually

and development of the Town and for appreciating the
and aesthetic values that give its special
character That such a mixture exists is a true indicator
of the energy that made Bloomsburg an architectural
cultural

showplace.

Queen Anne

building with characteristic turret.

Former Farmers National Bank building,
United Penn Bank

now the

)

CONCEPTS AND PLANNING
General Guidelines
The

historic

area of Bloomsburg

Central Business
suffering from
accessibility,

District.

problems

will

Land Use
include the

Presently, this area

of competition,

and inappropriate design

obsolescence,
for

the

CBD

allowing

commercial expansion.
2) improve the design and appearance of parking
along Pine Avenue

to attract regional

lots

shoppers.

create a surrounding mall environment.
4) increase the Town's visual attractiveness,
in

open spaces, walkways, and

historic

buildings.
5) stimulate new investment in terms of structural
improvements, new construction in defined mini-mall

areas, and overall beautification and redesign of
municipal parking lots.

These planning considerations

will

include

1) historic preservation or, in a more general sense,
the conservation of the existing downtown buildings.

2) scale of revitalization

extent of

downtown

Bloomsburg must define the

revitalization

terms of

perceived regional goals. The crucial issue

its

is:

Town seek an expanded role as a regional
center for business, commerce, culture and
entertainment and welcome greater downtown density
Does

the

to support

these objectives 9

Or does anticipate a more modest downtown
development process, one which recognizes the
multiple commercial areas which have been
it

established: small shopping plazas, extended strip
commercial development, and the conversion of
residential areas such as East Street 9 The downtown
would become but one piece of this commercial
"jigsaw.''

Street

Industry

located for the most part along a narrow

belt that parallels Sixth Street

and the old

railroad tracks.

3) develop rear entry commercial enterprise and
facades in selected areas south of Main Street and

especially

commerce

Business and commerce, traditionally concentrated
along Main Street from West to East Street, is
expanding along East Street where joins highway strip

District

create greater density

uses

Built

some

contemporary commercial functions. The following
goals have been proposed for the Central Business

The existing pattern of land use in Bloomsburg
consists of well defined areas for industry, housing, and

development at Route 11, the Old Berwick Road A
small shopping plaza is located near Market and Sixth
Streets. The rest of the land is devoted primarily to

homes are maintained in
reasonably good condition for their age. The western
edge of Bloomsburg, narrowed by hilly terrain and
residential use, older

Fishing Creek on the north, and by the Susquehanna
River on the south, is mainly occupied by the

Bloomsburg

Grounds. Bloomsburg State College, a
land-mark since 1868. dominates the eastern fringe.

Fair

community park fronts the Susquehanna
River on the southern edge of the town, while on the
north, steep hills and a cemetery form a natural
boundary
large

The

street pattern

a grid with major streets running

east/west and minor streets running north/south Main
Street provides the major town axis. At its eastern

terminus

As a

commerce

five

block area along

Mam

result, there are

limited areas for parking

few locations for new business and commercial
expansion
• limited space to facilitate new construction or the
expansion of existing buildings.
•

Because of the absence of available land, suburban
and commercial development has occurred outside of
Town, mainly to the west, eroding the importance of the

downtown

Alternatively, through lack of planning and
zoning, there have been inappropriate conversions of

residences along East Street.

There are areas

for

expansion

present land and

building uses are reconsidered:

the upper stories of downtown buildings have not
been developed as a commercial alternative. Thus,
1

while businesses continue to locate outside of

Bloomsburg, second and
empty on Main Street.

third floor

space remains

2) immediately behind Main Street, adjacent to
municipal parking areas, are sheds and outbuildings

architecturally prominent Carver Hall.

Westward

•

up residential areas and other non-intense land

restrict

Market Square, an open space with Civil
statuary providing a focal point and
pivotal cross axis for Market Street, which runs
southward to Town Park and the River Further west are
prominent entrances to the Bloomsburg Fair
is

War memorial

The

built

up areas

density uses of land, but

Town accommodate
in

high

the commercial core they are

presently underutilized Nearly 30 per cent of third floor
is vacant. Offices are common on the first floor, a

space

relatively low-yield

and government

commencal

offices

downtown presence.

activity However, banks
have maintained a strong

Postcard view of Main

Street, looking west, circa

1906

Utfn"lba
D U MD
D

SIdq

rlfin

BUILDING USE
i

(to^Dll CZI]

AND OCCUPANCY

- FIRST

RESTAURANT
when space was

not at a

premium.

The issue which the Town must face is whether to
encourage greater downtown density and economic
vitality through effective zoning practices and
investment or to accept the outward thrust of
commercial activity with the consequences of a

weakened downtown core

a^qps alp

100

Building
First floor

Use and Occupancy

commercial space

rarely available

downtown Bloomsburg.
There are presently more than 90 first-floor
commercial outlets in the downtown They represent an
effective mix of retail services, including 10 women's
clothing shops, four pharmacies, five shoe stores, three
outlets,

and two major restaurants (See Appendix) With

the exception of a general furniture store, virtually every
retail line is

represented

offices, not

an optimum

first

the

downtown Professional

floor use,

than 7°o of this commercial space.

GARAGE

OFFICE
RESIDENTIAL

jewelry stores, three department stores, eight fast food

200

FLOOR
COMMERCIAL / OFFICE
INSTITUTIONAL/ GOVERNMENTAL

RETAIL

erected at an earlier period

represent less

For the most part businesses have accommodated
themselves to existing square footage by developing

merchandizing and display techniques that conform
this

space. These stores have grown up with "Main

space has defined the store for the most
With the exception of seven larger open-interior
Street";

buildings

—

Salvation

Army

part.

Woolworth's, Pursel's. Racusin*s,
Penney's, the House of Fabrics, Goodyear and the

— downtown

retail outlets

fronts with limited rear extensions.

Most

have narrow

of the

smaller

stores do not extend to the rear alleys, a characteristic

many older communities. They average
800- 1 400 square feet of interior floor space In addition,
feature of

several of the large commercial buildings were originally

E'h£n>

100

rihmfltmdlX

5fillnn

BUILDING USE

ETZZ

TO^

AND OCCUPANCY

RETAIL

SECOND FLOOR
EZ Z]

RESTAURANT
number

of stores

Venditti buildings, for

example.

divided into a

— the "Crescent" and

defines the size,

retail

not the nature, of

Clearly, the desire to

COMMERCIAL OFFICE
INSTITUTIONAL/ GOVERNMENTAL

;

m?m

retail activity

be located on the Main Street

The relatively restricted retail area also
need to create greater downtown density

overiding factor.

by creating mini-mall shopping environments behind

Main Street and by designing pedestrian access
second floors.

GARAGE

OFFICE
RESIDENTIAL

VACANT

these locations. The decision by

The downtown commercial area could probably
a form of musical chairs" by
maintain the status quo

shifting to

which businesses move quickly to fill available space.
But, without additional space for expansion and/or new
construction downtown, Bloomsburg could not maintain
itself as a regional commercial center Already, strip
developments along Route 11, toward Berwick on the
east and Danville on the west, contain more square feet
of retail space than downtown Bloomsburg; they also
have a comparable retail employment base and, though
the figures cannot be broken down by precise market
area, presumably comparable sales figures.
There is no question that retail commercial activity is

the Mifflinville interchange

—

space in downtown
Bloomsburg is less than 2,000 square feet, 75°o less
than 1 .200, and 50°o less than 800.
This imposes restraints on business expansion and
Ninety percent of

reinforces the

200

Crown-America not

construct a shopping center near

does not

alter this

changing

balance
It

true that large, discount

department stores,

fast

food chains, supermarkets, and other large-scaled

businesses need the open space that such strip
development affords But experience elsewhere has
shown that other businesses more compatible to a
downtown environment often move outside of town in

response

to the shift in

consumer shopping patterns
downtown, new

Presently, with no available space

businesses have no choice
13

U|y-

3 Inn
BUILDING USE

AND OCCUPANCY

- THIRD
r~^~l

RETAIL

RESTAURANT

FLOOR & ABOVE
COMMERCIAL OFFICE
INSTITUTIONAL/GOVERNMENTAL

Another problem created by the absence of
retail space is unusual commercial pressure

downtown

along East Street, architecturally significant structures
are being insensitively altered to

accommodate

retail

uses
At the

use with related
predominates Limited residential

floor level, retail

commercial activity
use occurs at either end of the core area, notably on
East Street and the two blocks of Main Street west of the
town square As the need for additional commercial

space becomes more apparent, conversion from
residential to business uses to intensify commercial
activity should be considered.
14

mmm

the

parking area between Iron and Catherine Streets south
of

Main

Street.

opportunity
At the

These vacancies represent an
of existing facilities and provide an

for intensified

second

land use.

floor level,

GARAGE

OFFICE
RESIDENTIAL

There are almost no vacancies, the only ones
indicated are sheds or out-buildings located

underutilization
first

200

100

rihnDnllnnrsnirc

occupancies include a

VACANT

At the third floor level, there

commercial, office and

density.

and

which

which are predominant. There is a
amount of vacant space indicating existing

significant
facilities

are underutilized. Additional office space and

residential units should

occupancy

be added

to provide

full

a limited

amount

space. Residential

use predominates as on the second floor Vacancies are
again significant, indicating underutilization and the
potential for additional occupancy in existing facilities
At this level, residential use would be the most
advantageous, giving the downtown a higher population

mixture of commercial, institutional and office space,
residential units,

institutional

The

potential also exists for rear entry

may be necessary

access

meet

requirements.

access

as an additional or alternative

building, fire

and

exit

code

Historic Preservation
Historic preservation

downtown

CEMETERY

an important element in
from an economic as well as a

revitatlization,

visual perspective.

Though

not

buildings merit preservation, either

all

«v(

through rehabilitation or restoration, downtown
Bloomsburg and adjacent residential areas have a high

proportion of significant structures worth preserving.

These were identified
and Architecture.
Main Street

the section on

History
]

part of a

»IN(

„

MIBO

1
1 N

)Nt

creation of a National Register Historic District.
Inclusion in a National Register Historic District permits

owners

IOGI

proposed National Register
Historic District that includes much of the Town's older
built environment In addition, a proposed Municipal
Historic District under Pennsylvania Act 167 would
include Main Street.
There are some sound economic reasons for the
is

commercial buildings to qualify for tax
incentives under the Tax Reform Act of 1976 (Public
Law 94-455), which has recently been extended
through January 1, 1984.

BOUG

t»

OUBTM

These incentives for preservation and rehabilitation of
were established by Section 2124 of
the Act Signed into law October 4, 1 976, and extended
by the 96th Congress in December of 1980, the Act
amended the Federal Income Tax Code with provisions

—

historic structures

to:

treatments

for rehabilitations;

and

2) discourage destruction of historic buildings by
reducing tax incentives both for demolition of historic

and for new construction on the site of
demolished historic buildings.
These preservation provisions permit owners and
structures

qualified long-term lessees of certain depreciable

commercial properties
rehabilitation over

expected

rehabilitated structure to

accelerated

1) stimulate preservation of historic commercial and
income-producing structures by allowing favorable tax

life

amortize the costs of a

a five-year period, even

of the

improvement exceeds

They also permit the costs

the

five years.

of a substantially

Proposed National Register

be depreciated

Historic District

2) located

owners of
National Register Districts must

commercial buildings in
complete a two-part Historic Preservation Certification
Application, which can be obtained from the Bureau of
Historic Preservation in Harnsburg, and secure

from the Secretary of the Interior regarding
the historic character of the structure; and
2) the quality of the rehabilitation work performed on

certification
1)

the structure.
historic structure is

any structure, subject to
Revenue Code,

boundaries

a registered historic

by the Secretary of the

rate.

qualify for the tax incentives, property

A certified

and Municipal

district

and

The

Internal

deductions
held

for

Revenue Code

to structures

used

limits
in

depreciation

a trade or business or

the production of income, such as commercial

or residential rental properties
If

a property qualifies as a substantially rehabilitated

owner may elect to depreciate the
property at an accelerated rate by depreciating the
adjusted basis of the entire rehabilitated structure at a
historic property, the

faster rate than

he otherwise would be allowed

substantially rehabilitated historic property

which

certified historic structure for

)

listed individually in the

Historic Places, or

National Register of

to the

historic significance to the district

depreciation as defined by the Internal

certified

as contributing

Interior

to use.

any

which the cost of certified
$5,000 or the adjusted
basis of the property, whichever is greater.
rehabilitation

exceeds

either

Thus, inclusion

a National Register Historic

District

provides owners of commercial buildings with major

economic incentives for improving their buildings
accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's
Standards In addition,
provides an inducement

By working together to take full
advantage of the Tax Reform Act, commercial building
owners can have a profound effect on the appearance of
the downtown and its long-term economic viability. Their
assumption of a leading role in restoration and
renovation actitivies can generate additional income for
their buildings and for the community, while
simultaneously providing Main Street with a fresh
image
A National Register Historic District has another
important consequence for communities seeking to
preserve their architecture. Federal or state funds
cannot be used to raze or alter historic properties
without environmental review and approval by the
National Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.

under Municipal Act 167

complementary designation
Historic District, but

been a

a walking tour of nineteenth
century architectural elements

o
22

MAIN

however,

has

older Pennsylvania communities Property values

9 <7Wbb OH YCOr
10
11

because people are confident that their
communities will retain their essential character

UJ
LU

13
14
15
16
17
18
19

have
15

risen

LU
in

the

FOURTH

Municipal Act 167 establishes a Board of Historic

Review

to set guidelines for the sensitive

rehabilitation of older buildings.

be crafted

to reflect local

These guidelines can
attitudes and values toward

and are carried out by a panel of local
must include a registered architect, a
licensed realtor and the building inspector
The proposed boundaries of both the National
Register Historic and the Municipal Historic District, are

14
III

13"

historic buildings

citizens that

the

same

Bloomsburg.

FIFTH
11

lUPf^T -SffFC
FEDe££C ^TYLLt

VcCCWD
L£ADEP
INTFOTE

EAAFIFe.

WINLXJW6

WOrURZXW^

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£UEEN ANNtt - Q&VrWD

WT VECD ENTFY
£PNAMEHTAU ^TCN£
6LJEEH ANNE £ ^OZ^NIAL. F&J\\JbU
20 &E££6\bh\ F&AVbU
21 PUBU6 uvnw
22 TOWN £QUAPe * FOUNTAIN
23 AFT VcCD E^Nh

STREET

future

Architectural

2 3

8 £O0NIAL FEVIVAL
STREET

THIRD

the preservation of

WEATHEFVANfL

STREET

VdtTH

"18

tTE^FATIVE. VEF££. WbFQb
mCX- £ 3TDNE, IMTEFTLAY

TUFfET

to the National Register

provides no tax advantages

critical factor,

?WJb\Wb PPEVIOU& Hvi OAF^4-€t>J
UOHO HEAD CCPMZi.
CFE36ENT fcUILP\M(b

for

collective action.

Historic District

ETl£X>PAL CnMJti 1115

RENAISSANCE MAP

BLOOMSBURG

STREET

9 8

24 COMJY (XUF-J HOUSE.
25 ZMMXJc- DKE£ MLP1N&
26 TOWN -HALL.

)

Downtown
Phase

Buildings:

The Central Business District constitutes the
commercial, social and institutional hub of the Town.
Measured by the number of commercial establishments
line Mam Street in a five block area from West to
East Street, the downtown is healthy. But, when
shoppers look upward at some of the large commercial

which

buildings, they

and peeling

see unpointed

brick, deteriorating

wood

enough income is generated to
support proper maintenance and improvements Some
of the upper stories are unused shells. In many
instances, apartment units have not been brought up to
code standards; they are expensive to heat and
maintain. The space is not designed for contemporary
office and residential use. Redesigning and developing
adaptive and more intensive uses for this space must
occur before the downtown environment can be termed
healthy. These concerns must be addressed as Phase
One of the downtown revitalization effort.
paint; not

The demand for first floor commercial space
Rentals,

square

now averaging from

foot,

strong.

three to four dollars per

are consistent with the purchase price of

the building. Raising these rentals substantially could
drive out many small merchants, the backbone of Main
Street commerce. A better alternative is to intensify use
and occupancy to gain increased income from the
building's upper floors, primarily through residential and
office use. Retail uses should also be considered.

Financing major improvements

to apartment units
commercial outlets is expensive. There
are three basic alternatives to generate income from
residential units in these commercial buildings

above

first

create

floor

new units

structurally

sound buildings

"By attention

grow

to detail,

in interest

and

by training the eye

see

in detail, the

man-made world

starts to

quality."
Gordon Cullen
Townscape. 1961

that

attract middle-income tenants; both the
improvements and rents will be dictated by private
market forces;
will

"Details
2) create higher density

use of existing rental or
vacant spaces by attracting tenants such as students

and craftsmanship form

a fascinating visual inventory of textures, colors,

and

intricate

design."
Renaissance Slide Presentation

))

and dependents who may not object to higher density
living which will permit more moderate per capita rents;
and
3)

conduct a program

apartment rehabilitation

using community development funds coupled with
rental subsidies for low-

and the

The
units

under Federal program guidelines

will

code standards

require

strict

the other

eventually erode the Central Business District,

Bloomsburg less

attractive to

reduce the tax base, and lead

make

business and industry,
to the deterioration

and

Downtown Bloomsburg now

present middle-income population by improving

minimum expenditure

of public

and

area along Main Street. Only the fronts of buildings
activity

expansion or to attract new business. Bloomsburg's
Central Business District has remained stable, but has
it

not participated proportionately

necessary

regional growth. That
in

the form

private funds,

for the

expect residents of the area

to act without public

leadership; the environmental problems go

apartment

beyond

the Central Business District

should be rooted

the

Such a

policy

Town's historic architecture, and
and colors established by

the scale, mass, texture,

significant buildings At present,

much of this detailing is

hidden under plastic and metal fronts and intrusive neon
and plastic signs that were added from the 1 940 s to the
present.

access

second

floors of

Street buildings to increase available

some Main

space

for office

and commercial use;
4) provide rear entry walkups along the north side
Main Street where land slopes downward toward

buildings, together with targeted razing and/or

conversion of outbuildings; and
5)

convert underutilized storage space

fronting

on rear

alleys to

commercial

center of the region
is

imperative

Bloomsburg is to reverse this trend This means that
more space must be found to accommodate new
business or existing buildings must be converted from
non-commercial to commercial use. Therefore, a Phase
development which addresses this need has been
II

included as part of the overall

downtown

revitahzation

process
Greater density could be achieved by extending Main

units.

Bloomsburg should adopt a clear policy to support the
conservation and rehabilitation of historic commercial
structures

buildings on existing vacant space;

would involve the following actions:

Increased downtown density

of families living

individual

new

block between Strawberry

stores

investment,

for

development along Route 1 1 The Town's total
market share has therefore declined, although the
downtown has remained the banking and institutional
all

town to supplement the limited
on the upper stories of
commercial structures in the Central Business District
by taking action to stimulate housing rehabilitation and
to remove environmental deficiencies.
would be futile
It

were designated for commercial
Commercial space is rarely available for

facing Main Street

not a viable alternative for Bloomsburg.

means

for existing

buildings

outlets.

of strip

therefore, important to continue to hold the

housing conditions. A "do nothing" policy, avoiding

consists of a five block

growth has largely occurred outside the town

destruction of an irreplacable historic architecture

2) construct

3) create rear

to building

improve the physical and visual environment and

create a climate

hand, further deterioration of present housing would

but a

uses are

create attractive rear entrances

and moderate-income families

rehabilitation of existing buildings for dwelling

is,

elderly

adherence

building

Concept and
Commercial Nodes:
Phase
Mall

Street commercial

development westward along Main
andor eastward along East Street But this
expansion would encroach on residential properties and
string out the shopping area even further. The
distance from West Street to the intersection of East
Street and Route 1
is almost one mile

A mini-mall area has been proposed at the
Avenue and

rear of the

Iron Street.

renovate the rear facades of present businesses
1
and also create primary entrances for these businesses,
infilling others as well for vehicular patrons;
2)

improve the appearance of the parking

proper landscaping,

lighting,

lot

through

parking and access

design, and appropriate signage;
3) complete an interior "square of shopping space
by converting buildings south of Pine Avenue to
commercial use and or razing existing outbuildings to

accommodate new

construction;

and

Street

4) create

attractive pedestrian

entrance"

Mam

The scale of this mini-mall would be consistent with
one and two story rear facades. Infill buildings

existing

Density can also be achieved by creative infilling of
open spaces behind Main Street
The most feasible options in view of existing land and

Street by improving alleyways that connect to parking
areas.

would maintain

this

scale

order to ensure

compatibility with nearby residential areas,

complementing rear facades and the general

mall

concept
EXISTING CONDITION

II
!

HI
MALL LOCATION

1|
•*''

PROPOSED REAR ELEVATION

two views of the Calder Way
infill development in State
College illustrate

how

multi-level buildings could

be constructed south of Pine
Avenue, partially enclosing

LANDSCAPING DESIGN

the mini-mall
19

200

100

Sinn HhnnnllnDrVOrn

MALL DESIGN

AND IMPROVEMENTS
SUGGESTED INFILL BUILDINGS
SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS

EXISTING

"0"

LIGHTED AREAS
PLANTATION

involve a zoning change, from residential to

commercial, along Jefferson and Third Streets.
However,
is important to establish stringent review
it

Such a

project

space, already

would require additional parking
downtown. (See

short supply near the

Parking and Access).

There

outside the

downtown

development.

commercial expansion
would not contribute to strip

for

that

involves the conversion of older vacant

or underutilized industrial

residences

Several buildings must be located in proximity to one
another to establish a "node" for commercial activity.

commercial use must be sensitively
achieved. The Municipal Historic District, which is being
proposed for the area, would set up specific guidelines

conversion.

PAVING

RESTORATION

and warehouse

buildings.

Thus, public and private improvements needed to
develop the site
parking, lighting, landscaping
can

—

be coordinated and focused about that "node
large older brick buildings,

node

other space

guidelines to monitor such a process; the conversion of

for

BUILDINGS

appearance of Main Street.
A second mini-mall could be created at the rear of
Main Street from Market to Jefferson Street. This would

MARKET RESTORATION

—

at Fifth

and Center

now

Two

vacant, create such a

Streets.

Buildings with existing large spaces can be
converted, often at less cost than buildings with
existing interior walls, to wholesale

and

retail

many

uses

such large open spaces A series of factory
would be appropriate to this type of space
requirement, as would fabric centers, farmers' markets,
requiring

outlets

or food co-ops. Residential units could

upper story spaces.

be considered

for

PARKING AND ACCESS
Parking has been a consistent concern
Hlnomsbuic),

|>,

iilicul,

that a shortage of parking

"Very few parking lots or garages existed prior to 1920. Until that time, mass
provided conveyance to most work and shopping destinations
downtown. The few who could afford a horse-drawn carriage or motor car
shared the limited amount of curb parking spaces.
Parking garages first became numerous during the 1920s. These early garages were located in the central business district (CBD) and were mostly
patronized by the wealthy in order to keep their cars out of the sun to preserve
the oil paint finishes. Facilities for the sale of gasoline, and services such as
lubrication, washing, and mechanical repair, were a significant feature of
these early garages.
The Great Depression, followed by World War II, brought further development of garages practically to a halt. This period, however, did witness a
tremendous proliferation of downtown parking lots due to a collapse of land
values, hence cheaper parking rates on lots. Enamel automobile finishes were
introduced largely eliminating the deterioration of cars parked in the open.
This same period also witnessed the development of the first significant shopping centers with their associated surface parking.
The next boom in garage construction occurred from 1945 to 1965. Most
garages built during this period were associated with large downtown department stores to accommodate customers.
During this period, the bigger is better' syndrome became popular, with the
result that many American made cars increased in length from 16 feet to 19 feet
or more, in width from 6 feet to 6 feet 8 inches. Thus the capacity of many early
garages was reduced 30 to 50 percent.
A most significant innovation occurred in the mid 1950s with the introduction of customer self -parking garages. From the mid-1960s to the present,
there has been a proliferation of garage development serving special types of
transit

parking

demand

generators."

reduces

downtown

grOUpS who

uly ol im-irlMnt

retail

feel

sales potential.

Parking Spaces: The parking survey completed by
in 1976 found high utilization of curb
spaces and lots immediately adjacent to the downtown
Central Business District. Average daily use ranged
from 75% to 96% and Friday evening use 65% to 96
(However, the survey did not identify the number of
Parking Unlimited

downtown employees using these

lots.

informal

survey conducted by the meter attendant indicated that
as many as 40% of the cars in some lots belong to

employees.) The

total utilization of

downtown parking

spaces maintained by the town is 82% on an average
day, and 87% on a Friday nlghl
Parking Unlimited
utilization; at

82%

recommends

utilization,

unlikely that motorists

place close

borne out

The Town

will

60%

average

they point out that

be able

to their destination.

to find a convenient

This assessment

was

shopper interviews

Bloomsburg has moved to acquire
space through the acquistion of
several properties. These spaces are more distant from
the Central Business District and are intended primarily
for employee parking. This action should reduce
occupancy levels in lots along Pine Avenue.
of

additional parking

The parking

deficiency noted

the survey, 147

spaces, could be partially made up by the proposed new
lots. But a need for additional parking still exists near the

downtown. The lack of adequate parking could become
even more acute greater commercial density is
achieved in this area. Such a decision might dictate the
construction of a multi-story parking garage functionally
linked with the rear of retail establishments and
if

providing a basis for joint financial leveraging.

For the service or convenience shopper accustomed

George

A. Devlin

The Dimensions

of Parking,

to
1

979

shopping

downtown Bloomsburg,

the simple reality

a space to park is sufficient However, the
discretionary shopper has many shopping alternatives
of

regional malls, strip commercial development, or

nearby towns, and is often guided by the total shopping
experience of which parking is only a part The Parking
21

)

Unlimited survey found that

70%

those using

Lighting

were from outside the
community Most of these shoppers said they had also
visited nearby towns and regional shopping malls in the
same day. The present parking areas are barren of any
amenities; drivers do not think of themselves as
pedestrians until they reach a specific store on Main
Street. As shopping becomes more equated with
social/entertainment functions and interesting aesti
en vii (.in hi its towns and shopping malls which cater to
these interests will gain more of the discretionary traffic
The parking lots along Pine Avenue are basically flat
spaces that have no specific identity other than their
functional use. They can be improved, however, by
adding amenities such as plantings, accent paving,
lighting, signage, and painting as well as continuing
maintenance to adjoining buildings or structures. These
improvements can make a significant difference in the
visual appearance of a lai king area.
The edges of parking areas should be analyzed.
Edges in many instances are rear facades of buildings,
unimproved macadam or amesite aprons at the rear of
buildings, open yards and houses, barns and
warehouses. These physical conditions now present
municipal parking

facilities

lighting

for

the Pine

Avenue complex

parking lots

well as to light parking areas The need
an interesting visual environment for evening
shopping is obvious. Increased evening hours are one

means

A number of mall concept

ideas have been articulated

for the areas along Pine Avenue, particularly the
enclosed area behind Sneidman's Jewelry and Hesss

The mall concept can be an important means of
upgrading existing parking areas. For example, it can
Tavern.

create

for

the driver the feeling of arrival

an
active, interesting shopping environment, a sense
of
place around which commercial activity is clustered;
1

2) create attractive rear entrances for
fronting only on Main Street; and

businesses

now

3) create additional

upper story

businesses and entrances

downtown

A redesigned rear entry and facade becomes another
part of a total

commercial streetscape environment.

consumer

dollars

now

traffic:

theaters, restaurants, fast food,

specialty shops.

Parking Ramp: The issue

of increased

downtown

density must be addressed before planned and

coordinated investment

in the Central Business District
can occur. At present, there are virtually no vacant
stores along Main Street. That is a healthy sign. But
conversely, there are few openings for expansion along
the Main Street. Merchants who want to locate here
have to go elsewhere, often to expanding strip
commercial developments outside of Town or to less
desirable locations in Town There has been a
piecemeal erosion of residential structures, particularly

Mam

Street, circa

along East Street, as a result of the need for commercial
expansion near the downtown This process has
created its own form of "strip development" within the

1948

Landscape treatment can transform inactive space
an interesting walkway, trees and other plantings,
paving

details, lighting

into

and other public amenities can

directly linked to attractive rear entrances. In
addition, narrow streets and alleyways leading
to the
street, which are now drab, unlighted spaces,

could

become

inviting corridors to

Mam

Street. Appropriate

signage and lighting would help as would painting and
improved maintenance on the sides of buildings.

One

desirable feature would be a continuous

cut through existing buildings or be directed around

them. This would provide the pedestrian with easy
access to rear entrances and intermittent alleyways

limits.

process

Business

would make better sense

to concentrate
an organized way within the Central

District

Commercial expansion can involve the conversion or
replacement of existing residences and out buildings to
the south of Pine Avenue, and the construction of new.
two story connected buildings for offices and shops The
compact row of commercial buildings along Calder Way
in

State College

page

landscaped pedestrian walkway at the rear of stores on
the south side of Main Street from East Street to the
Hotel Magee In some instances, such a walkway

leading to Main Street

Town
this

may

living units.

of capturing additional

going to the malls Lighting also enhances those
activities that are often open at night and attract

Postcard view ol

illuminate

to create

itii

needed.

and

and signage as

scheme

to link

pedestrian walkways, highlight rear facades, plantings,

discordant elements inhibiting any sense of place or
thematic commercial unity. An integrated design

an important design consideration A

theme can be developed

a good example

to follow.

(See

19)

This greater downtown density cannot be created,
however, without increased parking facilities. Given the
limited downtown space, some form of vertical
expansion for parking should be considered. A one level

ramp behind Penney's appears

appropriate long range alternative

proposed

for this

be the most

parking ramp was
general area by Parking Unlimited in

100

200

NhranlfemDirn

5d1Idd

AND ACCESS
VEHICULAR ACCESS & PARKING

\fo

PARKING

mzm

1 976 survey. It has not been implemented.
should
be reconsidered when the mall concept and increased

the

downtown density become planning priorities.
The financial proposal for such a structure described
the Parking Unlimied survey is sound, though costs
have naturally escalated. However, the long term life of
the structure would provide consistent revenue to pay
for parking improvements elsewhere.
The ramp would also create a rear level entry for
buildings in the block between Miller and Iron Streets,
permitting conversion to commercial use This is
in

another

means

of increasing

Whether a ramp

solutions to parking

needed.

downtown density

some creative
management and design are

constructed or not,
lot

PEDESTRIAN ACCESS
Validated and Paid Parking: There has been much
debate over validated parking. As the major beneficiary
of improved parking facilities downtown, the merchants,
storeowners, and other commercial tenants should help

slots, but,

pay for parking improvements The validated parking
program makes this possible by passing along the cost
of parking from the consumer to the merchant
appears justified on two counts 1) the consumer is
attracted by the prospect of free parking which should
increase downtown business, and 2) the improvement
is of direct benefit to the merchant.
It is difficult to use a validated program, however,
without a paid attendant who can validate the ticket or
monitor the meter. Not all merchants would have to
participate in the validation program if there are metered

a high level of cooperation

without broad participation,

difficult to

pay

the cost of the attendant.

Free Parking: Free parking has worked in larger
towns such as Glens Falls, New York, but it has required

among merchants and

employees who are tempted

park near their work

place Residents of apartment units

the

downtown

must also park elsewhere. Another problem is that
municipal parking revenues cease, precluding the use
of generated revenues to fund future parking
improvements. One alternative is to charge merchants,
storeowners, and commercial tenants an annual fee
based on business volume to offset the loss in meter
revenue. This

becomes another form

of validated

parking without the attendant; policing of the area would

)

be required, however, and should be

the fee

built into

Free parking, while attractive to both
merchant and shopper, would also increase the

main street

structure

demand

parking space already limited

for

downtown

the

area.

Bicycle Parking: Bloomsburg does not appear on
be a bicycle oriented town. At present
there are few provisions for parking bicycles in lots or
the surface to

along sidewalks.

even students

Few

rarely

seen downtown;
use them. However, at Town Park

much in evidence. is inappropriate to
common mode of transport in one area of

bicycles are very
think that a

town should be unpopular in another Quite simply,
bicycle travel has not been encouraged in the
downtown, either by providing parking stalls, bicycle
lanes, or directional signs

could

become an

Parking

and

posters. Yet bicycles

active part of

and designated

stalls

downtown

too

For the

difficult.

riding

locating a parking

new

space

not

or occasional shopper, the

parking areas are not easily identifiable There are few
signs to direct the motorist to a specific parking area and
no defined shopping areas to select or identify with

Since motorists enter the Central Business

District

primarily from East Street, North Iron Street
and West
Main Street, appropriate signage should be placed at
the edges of the business district to direct shoppers
to
lots
1

Each

lot

relation to the

Main

should contain

a location

district

and access routes

Street,

2) a sign directing the driver to alternative lots

spaces are

filled,

and

lot.

the parking areas, interior courtyards and
plantings
can be integrated with maps and graphics.
In

At least

environment

part of the total

community

a complex of spaces, physical elements and
human activities. Just as a mall concentrates attention

on enclosed
street

interior public

space, the

9th century main

makes an exterior design statement. The

physical
character of the street consists of a background created
by buildings and their details, as well as other objects on

one another.
The streetscape has a rhythmic framework created by

the repetitious modulation of buildings, often sharing a
roof line and compatible building materials,

common

interrupted at intervals by cross street spaces.
relative

one alleyway leading to Main Street should be
and landscaped.

The

widths and heights of individual buildings, the

horizontal and vertical divisions of building facades, the
modulation of storefront and window openings, and the
architectural details and embellishments such as
signs,
cornices and moldings, establish scale and proportion
and give richness and texture to the whole.

The width
relationship,

of the street establishes another spatial

one

felt by the pedestrian or driver as he
experiences the long vista of Main Street. In
Bloomsburg. the feeling is one of relative openness

vitality to

establish a

sense

intimacy and action.
Building facades create the most important visual
impression of the street. Local architects and craftsmen
used the facade to express their skills and people's

downtown They took the most utilitarian
square or rectangular, two or three stories in
height, and added an exciting visual
dimension to the
facade that people looked at every day Townspeople
used flags to ornament buildings and mark special
occasions
another expression of pride in the
pride

3) a sign containing suitably scaled, smaller signs
for
businesses within easy walking distance of the

restricted to pedestrian traffic

street

which needs commercial

map indicating the placement of the lot in
business

The
fabric,

the street and their relationships to

activity.

areas represent a
small expenditure, yet they would conserve parking
space and lend convenience, activity, and intimacy to
the downtown shopping experience.
Signage: For the local motorist accustomed to

downtown Bloomsburg,

STREETSCAPE

bicycles are

the

buildings,

—

downtown as

well as patriotism.

Bitter Building

- Consider adding storefront

and apartment

entries

com-

Williams Building
- Consider rehabilitating storefronts by removing modern,

oversized signage

patible with original architecture

Remove air conditioner unit and transom cover material
Remove projecting lighted sign and all other extraneous,

Remove second floor signage and other extraneous and

-Maintain and restore original hardware

-Mount storm windows, if added, In painted metal or
wooden frames that conform to existing window profiles

sash, trim,

and cornice

in contrasting color

- Provide integral signage

non-original hardware from the facade
- Maintain, refurbish

and restore window sash, brackets

and cornice

and repoint masonry
masonry walls in background color and window
hoods, sash, trim, brackets and cornice in contrasting

- Clean
- Paint

to relate to the original archi-

tecture

non-original hardware
- Clean and repoint masonry
- Refurbish and maintain existing

window sash
Add storm windows that maintain existing window profiles and are mounted in painted metal or wood frames
- Recondition and maintain original cornice
- Paint brick wall surfaces dominant color; window hoods,

Crescent Building
- Consider altering storefront

Remove

projecting, lighted signs

and other extraneous,

non-original hardware from the facade

Restore and repaint iron balcony, handrailings and ornate pressed metal cornice
- Clean and preserve terra cotta inserts
- Preserve and maintain gold-leafed painted window signs
- Clean and repoint all masonry
- Provide scheduled maintenance program for continuing
-

preservation

color

Existing Conditions

'Urnii
-™
34

ma
3

tt it

t-t

ttlttl

Storefront

and Building Improvement Recommendations
NORTHSIDE WEST MAIN STREET FROM
JEFFERSON STREET TO CENTER STREET

Thrift

Store/Salvation

Army

Building

Code
1

Business/Building /Location
Al's Cafe, Charlie's Pizza/

Beers Building
157-159 West Mam Street

Lutz Agency/Beers Building

153 West Main Street

Apartments/Beers Building
145 West Main Street

49 West Main Street

Recommendations

— clean building
— restore band cornice

— renovate storefronts

buildings
to

be more

Farmer's National Bank)/

other

37 West Main Street

— renovate by restoring

symmetry

to the

Aparlments/Beers Building
137 West Main Street
Apartments/Beers Building
131 West Main Steet

WCNR/Columbia Montour Broadcasting
Co. Building

Columbia County Courthouse

facade

— replace signage and siding
— replace siding on west wing with
clapboards
— clean and maintain present form
— remove panels
— scale down signage
— maintain present form

Bloomsburg Bank Columbia

West Main

1 1

Ent Coffee

Shop and

Ent Building

115-117 West Main Street

— reconstruct cornice above restaurant
— remove
under windows
— remove hanging sign
— renovate
floors
keeping with

Moyer Pharmacy/

Vacant Storefront (former Morning
Press Buildmg)/Ent Building
113 West Main Street

replace signage

First

remove hanging sign

1 1

scale

renovate storefronts so that doors and
windows are compatible with each other
and upper story
place corner boards on sides of building

Federal Savings & Loan
East Main Street

Keller's, Reilly's,

Good as

Gold/

WHLM

House

Fabncs/Magee

Building

101 West Main Street

Bell of

PA/Pursel Building

Market Square

21-25 East Main Street
-

infill

original condition

— remove plastic panels and permastone
under windows
— restore original Italianate facade
— remove permastone siding and metal
signage panels
— restore cornices and storefront
— replace signage
— remove pent roof
— restore cornice and storefront

to pro-

remove hanging sign
remove metal signage panels
reconstruct band cornice

upper stories
10

present form

East Main Street

Keller Building

infill

first

vide natural light

Bernine Corporation Building
5-9 East Main Street

Itali-

present form

— remove obstructing panels
— unblock windows above signage

Building)

anate rather than colonial motifs
Restaurant''

Eudora's Corset Shop (former

Columbia County Trust Company

present form

— reconstruct original band cornice
— renovate storefront

Street

Finn's Newstand.

maintain

present excellent condition

NORTHSIDE EAST MAIN STREET FROM
CENTER STREET TO COLLEGE HILL

•

— maintain
— maintain

Trust

utilizing

125 West Main Street

— maintain

United Penn Bank (former

keeping with upper floors and each

Beers Electric Co. /Beers Building
141-143 West Main Street

— scale down signage
— improve window displays
— choose paint to blend with neighboring

Lalley

Hummel

Little

Law

Offices/

band cornice above storefronts
and expose windows

reconstruct

remove

remove pent

Building

29-31 East Main Street

down signage

siding

roof

and renovate using

horizontal siding
-

replace picture window and contemporary

door with two windows similar to those on
second floor and a wood panel door

Seasonal Fashions/Cressler
-

33-37 East Main Street

Capital Theatre/Martro Theatres, Inc.
45 East Main Street

band cornice on west side
use wood frame door on east side
scale down signage on both sides
restore bracketed

Building

clean building
repair and maintain signage and marquee

Code

Business Building Location

Al's

Men's Shop Lenzini Building

49-51 East

Mam

Street

Recommendations

— replace metal awnings on second floor
with cloth

odi

awnings

Business Building Lot stion

Reci

tlons

Ming

match those on

m.-l.il p-im.'I

storelront

— remove metal
and replace

infill

below store windows

— replace synthetic

The Record and Jeanswear Company
Brower Building
55 East Mam Street

The Studio Shop
59 East

Mam

Keller Building

Street

37
•

Building

—

replace awning io
dooi II nol original

ramovi hanging
infill

first floor

facade

hlghllghl

with

.1.

brli

ilgn

undai window

does nol block

and hood molds

oloi

illdlng

conditioner that disrm

air

window design

Paul's Episcopal Church

Pauls Episcopal Church

— maintain

Sherwin Williams Sorce Building
63 East Main Street

Sneidman Jowolry/Bowmnn
128-130 East Main St/Ml

— replace siding with clapboard Biding
— remove signage panel
— replace storefront cornice
— replace sign with one of suitable scale
— maintain present form

uiiotiy

siding with clapboard

— remove shingle siding
— restore original

— remove

i.<

illdlng

siding

— remove hanging

,t..i.<li,uil

wood

with

nillll

wlndowi

Bloomtburg
I

loral

maintain

antai

Yeager

Coleman Assoc./

Optical.

Carni

up.lrui:t

ling
•

wood

.Mill
I

nn Street

umn

.•

Rectory

.lor. -front

with

full

Mess's Tavern. Painted
Saloon/Mess Builii
116-118 Easl Main Street

"•'.Ion

.yniMH-lry

New

Sensations St Paul's Epis-

copal Church
143 East Main Street
31

Cole's Hardware Baker Building

Mam

149 East

Mobil

Gas

Street

make any necessary
maintain

repairs

harmony

Station

with

Rlttsi Offl(

••

Buppllti

Rlttei

upper stories

Town

Hall

'
1

142-144 East

Neil

Mam

—

Taormma Shoes

Mam

all

panels

reconstruct or expose first floor
cornice using roof cornice as a model
'

•

pinij wilh

Eppley

Endicott

Pharmacy. Singer.
Johnson Shoes'Shuman.

Robt
Building
56-64 East Main Street
-

— scale down signage to size of panels

paint trim

—

remove inappropriate signage and panels
ice balcony on west side

— restore/renovate storefronts to be

compatible with each other and the
upper floors

Street

Johnson Building
138-140 East

per floors and Italianate style

delineated by colored b'

Barnes. Clocksmith.

Waffle Grille

on sides

nlding

-.'.

Johnson Building

ramova

ATilliami Building

Look-See. the Texas

and replace

— cover unsightly vent

102 108 East Main Street

SOUTHSIDE EAST MAIN STREET FROM
CATHERINE STREET TO CENTER STREET
34

windows

onos

•ose pilaster strips

112 East Main

two

— remove plastic panels

Buil'i

lot

lolonlal foaturos

with lt.ilian.ilo

— replace glass door with wood frame door
— remove obstructions from band cornice
— alter facade to blend with others
— landscape
— maintain present form

tricjtti

in-iwoen doors
1

41
in

Tid floor

present form

— renovate storefront

liy iir.oflini)

with

I.H.I

wlndowi and wood frame door
40

present form

24 East Main Street

— remove siding, evaluate to determine
replacement
— remove hanging sign

C Penney Co /Robbins

50-54 Easl Main

Building

— maintain

present form

Sir

Street

Code
45

Busmess/Building/Location
J.

Raub/JA-VA

Inc. Building

38-40 East Main Street

Recommendations

— clean
paint
— replace sash windows on second
— remove signage panels
— renovate storefront
— reconstruct band cornice
— remove
extension,
possible
trim

brick,

Rea &

Derick, Photo Services/

Lowenberg Building
34-36 East Main Street

The Dixie Shop, Hurr's Dairy
complement each other

Business/Building /Location

Book Shelf/Evans Building
38-42 West Main Street

floor

third floor

Code

— renovate

make

Eastern Bank

First

Vendirti Travel,

Bloom Floor and

100-108 West Main Street

building materials

Maree's,

GG's Country Corner/

Hummel

Building

110-116 West Main Street

24-26 East Main Street

Aid/Robbins-Holman Building
22 East Main Street
Rite

Lee-Pat's, Sharping Shoes/
Titman Building
16-20 East Main Street

•

paint

common
common

improve signage

facades using
wood or stone infill under windows

renovate

first

Woolworth's/Robbins,

and

Stiteler

floor

Bart Pursel's, Colonial Stove
Shop, Quaker Maid Kitchen Design/

Pursel Building

Sidler Building

band cornice

•

reconstruct

•

clean or repaint bricks, accenting

window

2-14 East Main Street

trim

improve window displays

Valley Automobile Club/Valley
Auto Building
128 West Mam Street

SOUTHSIDE WEST MAIN STREET FROM
CENTER STREET TO JEFFERSON STREET
52

Ghck's, Walker's, Miller's,
Little

Shop/Magee

— maintain

Magee
Magee

present form

Building

Mam

remove
-

air

conditioners and hanging signs

clean and hang drapes properly

remove hanging sign

remove pent

Kitchen Building

reconstruct

— maintain

present form

roof

first

floor

66
cornice

renovate storefront by replacing
ture

using two colors

renovate storefronts to minimize
conflict

between new and old portions

Building

remove

air

Mam

pic-

Rosemary Shultz Beauty Salon,
from Italy Sub Shop/
Edwards Building
146-150 West Mam Street

clean, paint

renovate storefronts to complement

create compatible signage

remove hanging sign

each other

Tom's TV, Apartments/Holmes
152-154 West

replace or paint store door
-

Mam

conditioning unit

Street

Building

window with sash windows
and paint windows and facade

repair

Gehrig & Halterman, Certified
Public Accountants/Gehrig

Two Boys

restore painted signage on side of
building

American Athlete, Josepthal

140-144 West

Deco sign

retain Art

Vacant Storefront/
34-36 West Main Street

replace bay window with one identical
to window on opposite side of door

— remove pent roof
— restore symmetry by renovating storefronts
— replace siding
— repair upper stories as needed
— clean and paint
— remove hanging sign
— restore storefront to original

132-136 West Main Street

Street

Sears/Magee Building
24 West Main Street

for storefronts

Investments/Scala Building

Building

Hotel and Restaurant/

20 West

element and making panel width

condition

6-18 West Main Street

compatible with Venditti Agency entry

— replace synthetic siding with clapboard siding
— replace Italianate window labels or
moldings on upper floors
— renovate storefronts to be compatible
with upper floors
— consider installation of awnings as a

improve signage
improve window display

120-126 West Main Street
51

— maintain present form
— clean and paint
— scale down signage
— redesign Bloom Brothers entry to make
in

Wall/Venditti-Girton Building

— reconstruct boom town roofline

Ball Buildings

—
—

size

— clean brick, paint trim
— remove hanging sign
— improve window display

Recommendations
remove air conditioner
remove shading so windows are appropriate

Street

remove hanging sign
replace signage with smaller scale
sign m panel

Code

Business! Building /Location

Glen Edwards Studio, Standard
Finance/ Bomboy Building

156-160 West Main Street

Recommendations

Business/Building /Location

— replace signage
— renovate Standard storefront to be

Vacant Storefront/Murray Building
204 West Main Street

Apartments/Brobst Building
259 West Main Street

Residence/Hoppes Building
251 West Main Street

Area Agency on Aging/Bloomsburg
Bank Columbia Trust Building
243 West Main Street

— repair roof
— remove storefront panels to expose
brick facade
— renovate, maintaining symmetry of

compatible with Studio

NOT PICTURED
NORTHSIDE WEST MAIN STREET FROM
WEST STREET TO JEFFERSON STREET
Brobst Residence
261 West Mam Street

Recommendations

— maintain

original

facade

Apartment
204-208 West Main Street

present form
Offices/Dendlor Residence

— repoint chimney
— repair porch sag
— paint
— replace windows with four 2/2 sash
windows, maintaining symmetry
— replace siding
— repair roof and
dormers
— replace original clapboard siding,
attic

sash windows and wood

m.niit.iin in pir-.riit

form

214 West Main Street
Office/Pepper Residence

iii.iiiit.ini

pro-.onl form

218 West Main Street

— remove sign attached

Goodyear Tire/Hock Building
232 West Main Street

to roof

and

window.

clutter from

— replace sign with one detached from

Funeral Home/Kriner Building

— remove hood above door
— replace glass door with a wood and
glass door
— replace iron
with a larger

246 West Main Street

railing

building

railing

Apartments/Kessler Building

235-239 West Main Street

Apartment/Geary Building
227 West Main Street

— replace porch post and
with
more substantial wood supports
— paint
— remove antennas that deface cupola
— clean
— repair keeping with Second Empire

one. more suited to the scale of the house

railing

— clean, paint, and maintain
— remove conditioner

Apartments/Smith Buildings
252-258 West Main Street

SOUTHWEST
COLLEGE

present form

air

SIDE EAST STREET

HILL

FROM

TO CATHERINE STREET

style

State Store/Jones Building

Residence/Morgan Building
219 West Mam Street

— remove metal awnings and brick stoop
— replace with cloth awnings and wood
stoop
— replace composition siding with
clapboards

Two Boys

from Jerusalem-

Arcus Building
211 West Main Street

— repair roof, brackets, cornice, and
frieze
— repair porch and repaint
— remove picture window and replace with
one similar
windows

to the

second

remove canopy

222 East Street

restore original cornice

renovate westside storefront to

complement
of

Banke's Repairs. Covered
Bridge Smoke Shop.

intrusive alterations necessitat-

ing major renovations

Jeans n Things/
Dole Building
210-214 East Street

story
International

Dogs/Coleman
•

Building
-

Loyal Order of Moose Building
203-209 West Main Street

— remove hanging sign

202-206 East Street

Berngans Sub Shop. Rainbow

SOUTHSIDE WEST MAIN STREET FROM
JEFFERSON STREET TO WEST STREET
Frank Edwards Residence
202 West Main Street

— repair and paint cornice

curvilinear features

bililriirin,

•

Mountaineering/

remove pent

roof

replace original board and
batten siding on first floor

Kile Building

145-150 East Street

remove pent roof on west side
replace casement windows with
clean sash similiar to second
floor windows

•

renovate storefronts

accordance

with Italianate features of building

Most commercial structures along Main Street are
modulated horizontally by bays of windows and divided
vertically

by a base, band cornice,

cornice and/or roof; the Ritter

and upper
Building is a good
wall,

example. These divisional elements function as follows:
the base, or storefront

most cases, houses a
commercial use, the band cornice defines the upper
limits for the commercial outlet and its signage; the wall
composes the upper stores and is punctuated by
window openings, and the projecting horizontal cornice
and/or roof caps the wall. This is the traditional pattern
established by most older buildings.
Newer buildings have not followed this pattern. In
most cases, instead of mixed vertical use, they are used
for a single purpose and are spread out horizontally at
street level.

Newer

buildings have replaced

'Trees and buildings have always borne
a special relationship to each other because they provide a standard and accepted way of punctuating the landscape.
Gordon Cullen
Townscape, 1961

voids

that,

Among

from a design standpoint, are undesirable.

the objects that "furnish" the street and

contribute to the town's total physical character are a
hitching post, fluted lampposts and a clock, striking

reminders that it is not necessary to look up to know that
Bloomsburg's buildings are not its only association with

many street objects, while serving a
purpose, do not harmonize with the Town's

utilitarian

historic buildings.

Main

To compliment

the existing scale of

town could replace contemporary
with lampposts identical or similar to

Street, the

lighting fixtures

ones elsewhere. Shop owners could provide

historic

additional landscaping

and benches. Used

the form of bushes, flowers,

appropriately, these elements

provide useful amenities which can define and amplify
the streetscape experience

Paved and landscaped walks distinguish areas used
by pedestrians from those used by vehicles. They help
pedestrians identify crossings, park-like resting places,
and alleyway access to parking areas. Specific paved
and tree-shaded areas can provide park-like places of
repose

for the

casual

stroller or

weary shopper.

Street lights, in addition to providing safety for
vehicles and pedestrians, are useful architectural

elements. They create rhythm and effectively structure

replacements are frequently

space with light. Coupled with open attractive stores,
lights can stimulate evening activity and bring vitality
to
the downtown. They also can highlight alleyway access

and
unrelated scale. Plastic and metal fronts added at the
first floor level obscured many
distinguishing and
unifying architectural elements.

areas, parking

From a design
condition

standpoint, the worst streetscape
when an older building is demolished

without any replacement. The empty
space creates a
void that interrupts the unity of the streetscape

and

implies a lack of

vitality

downtown.

In Bloomsburg the profusion
of architectural details
and their interplay with light and shadows lend
interest
and dignity to the buildings and the streetscape
However, the integrity of Main Streets design
statement
is challenged by signage turmoil
and inappropriate
alterations to buildings that detract from,
rather than

enhance, Main Streets rhythm. Fortunately,
only two
buildings have been demolished, resulting
in spatial

Architectural Values

the past. However,

substantial two or three story buildings, the
of lesser quality

BUILDINGS:

lots,

rear entrances,

and landscaped

spaces.
At present, the overall design of Bloomsburg's Main
Street

not unattractive or disfunctional; but

can be

improved. Other sections of this report deal with
parking, signage, and the mall concept. Emphasizing
the statuary at the intersection of Market and
Streets and reconstructing the beautiful water

downtown

activities
sell their

local

product of

its

designed and constructed, is a
time and the architectural style and
it

character of that period. Character and style are created
through related modulations of form and shaping of
details.

The acknowledgement

framework

of this architectural

especially important

when improvements,

alterations or the application of signage to a building are

being considered. The architectural quality of many
buildings has been diminished by unknowing or
insensitive treatment of building facades. Storefront
remodeling, improper maintenance and repair, as well
as applied signage and other appurtenances often
obliterate the original or intended architectural

framework.

Improvements to individual buildings can include
and alterations as well as the updating or

additions

renovation of existing

facilities. However, the owner and
must always question how the considered
changes will affect a building's original and inherent
architectural form. Alterations should complement, not
detract, from the original architecture. The already
established architectural framework of height, width,
facade division, type and pattern of openings,
predominant materials, texture, details and color

architect

establish a matrix of considerations.
In

older buildings,

good

was part of
was composed of the

storefront design

fountain

proper modulation of structural bays related to window
bays on the floors above. Large display windows usually
had an integral cornice which accommodated the

with a revitalized focal point. At specified

and a marketplace where
produce

when

the original structure.

once stood between the Pursel Building and the
Magee Building on North Market Street would provide
times, this intersection could be a locus
for

architecture has an inherent framework.

Mam

that

the

All

building,

community

farmers could

storefront

necessary signage or appropriate architectural trim.
Older commercial storefonts almost always included a
horizontal cornice element separating the ground
(commercial) floor from the upper story facade. These

older storefronts, while very

window display areas,
requirement

open

with large glass

not only provided the structural

to physically take the

weight of the upper

stories, but also gracefully relieved this visual

upper
columns

of the

BUILDING MODULATION DIAGRAM
DETAIL MODULATIOn

CORNICE. PFOriLE.

heaviness

stories with properly placed piers or

FA.^CIA
In

many

instances, older buildings have been

ORriAneriTAu ^ap olcck

remodeled with modern storefronts. Some of these
buildings were altered structurally, elminating the well
proportioned piers or columns and substituting in their
place steel columns of lesser dimension. Their
replacement support elements are out of scale,
proportion and visual harmony with the rest of the
structure. Other disfiguring conditions such as the

MAJOR PRACKET
e-ACKrov?D
IhTCI? BRACKET
_

riASOMRY DEMTIL5

CORN ICE
FAMELMA»50riKY OUTSET FACE.

MASSriFor C7AMD

application of extraneous surfacing materials:

corrugated metal, aluminum siding,

SCROLL
LEDOER.

MASCMRY

plastic, imitation

and other artificial sidings over an intact and
adequate existing structure make little sense. New
storefronts which use design elements such as pent
roofs, rough shake shingles or rustic details are out of
context in an urban condition and detract from the

IM.3T.T

stone,

MASOMI^Y H09P

winder HEAD
SASN TOP KAIL
WIMCDW vJAMC?

original stylistic intent of the buildings.

Besides being

stylistically inappropriate,

cornices which are proportional and integral to the
overall facade design. The pent roof also displaces

MULLIOf-1

2>ash rx-r RAIL

accessories, provide shade and ventilation during the
the interior.

The

retract in winter allowing

applied pent or oversized

flat

winnow sill

light to

MA^oriRY SILL

sign

cornice, on the other hand, is an intrusion to facades that
were not visually designed to carry these massive
elements of dissimilar or non-compatible materials of a

CORMICE

scale unrelated to the rest of the building.

The abundant and

SASM STILES

multifunctional awnings, which, as archtectural

summer and

MASONRY UAT1E
MEETiriO RAIL
£.LA5S LITE

the applied

pent roof usually obliterates existing, finely detailed

hot

...j,.

UPPEf?

WALL

indiscriminate application of

unrelated architectural elements and details reflects a
lack of civic response as well as the inability of many
contemporary design professionals and building

STORE
FRCrfTS

- STREET

contractors to relate new construction to individual
buildings and the streetscape in an appropriate and
sensitive architectural context.

lXjildihg

noDuuMion

FACADE riODULATIOM
33

architectural details
Architectural details are abundant in Bloomsburg. They define the Town "s architectural styles
and provide a uniquely personal experience for the viewer. The commonplace ceases to become so
as people become aware of the extent and diversity of architectural details incorporated in
buildings and street furniture in the downtown. These details also constitute a unique marketing
and promotional resource as people come to appreciate and seek out significant objects of the
past.

There is a striking architectural contrast between old and new buildings, particularly between
those constructed during the Victorian era and those constructed today. Older commercial
buildings on Main Street - the Crescent and Venditti buildings, for example - contain a variety of

wrought iron, stone, brick, wood, terra cotta, that when assembled convey a strong sense
concept of order, unity and beauty. As times changed and the cost of ornamental
wood and brickwork and fine craftsmanship increased, a different notion evolved. The First

materials:

of the designer's

Bank lacks intricate architectural details. Steel, brick, and glass are combined in a
straightforward way, and there are no hidden brackets or decorative surprises to attract the viewer's
eye. The glass arches encircling the building mirror the arched windows of older buildings facing
the square.
National

Imposing Town Hall tower with

handsome blue slate roof and
decorative eagle weathervane.

The reasons for this change in the degree of ornamentation are many and not necessarily
permanent. The personal tastes of architects and designers change, and there can be no
explanation for that. In the decades of the 1900s, the scale and pace of life had escalated. Most of
the buildings on Main Street were constructed when walking was the principal mode of
transportation in town. The pedestrian had time to savor the craftsmanship or fine machine work
that went into the manufacture of ornate architectural details. Today, in the automobile, even going
at twenty -five miles an hour, it is impossible to distinguish the subtle designs established by
contrasting brickwork or sculpted stone. As a result, buildings are designed more for their impact
from a distance, not close up. Thus, details have become less important in today's architecture. In
addition, emphasis on efficiency through mass production has led to the virtual obsolescence of
the artisan who, with skilled apprentices, crafted architectural details.
Bloomsburg is fortunate to possess a rich and varied trove of architectural details that lend
uncommon distinction to Main Street and the surrounding residential environment. They are there
to be appreciated for their inherent beauty and what they say about the quality,
pace and scale of life
in the nineteenth century; and to be used as part of the
emerging statement of what constitutes Main
Street and makes it a unique place to shop.

Arched window voussoirs with a terra cotta relief border and terra cotta band composed ol tour joined
squares and arches in a repeated motif.

Wall

lamp embellished with

beaded glass, encased in
and capped with a finial.

filigree

Oval window, sash and trim with
keystone inserts surrounded by

wooden

Sculpted stone globe embedded in the keystone of a lintel above the window grouping of
the Morning Press Building.

The Sneidman clock Is a
conspicuous and aesthetic
amenity mounted on a fluted
column.

fish scale shingles.

Cast In plaster and embedded In a pediment, this cherub
symbolizes the notion of the home as a joyful place.

Maintenance and Improvements
If

a building

deteriorated or

STABILZATION should be given
Stabilization

poor condition,

the act or process of applying

measures

designed to reestablish a weather-resistant enclosure
and the structural stability of an unsafe or deteriorated
property while maintaining the essential form as
at present.

exists

buildings on Bloomsburg's main

upper cornices

uncover the original structure or
constructing new elements or amenities to make the

the traditional pattern of horizontal modulation

more useful and up-to-date. Renovation work
does not have to accurately duplicate the original
whereas a restoration must. In a renovation there is
latitude for new work and thoughtful and creative
facility

thoroughfare require stablization; their conditions,
mostly fair to good, suggest that preservation is the most

reinterpretation of existing conditions.

economical and energy-efficient way

reproducing by

PRESERVATION may

include

them.

of treating

initial

RECONSTRUCTION
new

an act or process of

construction the exact form and

stabilization

work where necessary, as well as ongoing maintenance
of historic building materials.

process of applying measures

defined as the act or

sustain the existing

— remodeled. Alterations

extensive work such as dismantling added or altered

elements

first priority.

drastically

change the character

that obliterate

of buildings

and

jeopardize the unique historical unity and character of
the streetscape

When

plastic, tile or

metal fronts are added

to the

and aesthetic
integrity is diminished. The juxtaposition of modern
materials and angular forms against traditional
materials and curvilinear forms creates visual
dissonance. So does the inappropriate mixture of
architectural styles. The present day penchant for
"coloniahzation," through the application of shutters and
pent roofs, is laudable for
connotes a respect for
history; but,
is miguided because in many cases, and
Bloomsburg is one of them, authentic colonial buildings
are no longer extant. The application of a colonial
storefront, then, becomes a mockery of the true
architectural history of a community such as
Bloomsburg in which the post 1840 Italianate style
storefronts of old buildings, their historical

and material of a building, or structure,
and the existing form and vegetative cover of a site.
A building which is an excellent example of a type,
period, or style, or which housed or hosted an historic
form, integrity,

event

may

warrant

full

RESTORATION.

Restoration

the act or process of accurately recovering the form
details of a property

and

its setting as it appeared at a
by means of the removal of later
by the replacement of missing earlier work.

predominates.

particular period of time

work

Authentic restoration

consequence,

Besides the storefront and band cornice, another

very expensive. As a

usually reserved for specific historic

for

process of returning a property to a state of utility
through repair or alteration which makes possible an
efficient contemporary use while preserving
those
portions or features of the property integral to

its

historical, architectural,

and cultural values. Renovating
a building may simply mean making necessary repairs,
cleaning up, or refinishing. or

may

necessitate

frequently remodeled or

buildings that

removed

the

have a cornice, especially an
element is the building's
its

ornate character and

subjected to the vagaries of the weather and

project.

The terms RENOVATION and REHABILITATION are
used interchangeably They can be defined as the act or

location, usually at the top of the facade, the cornice

undertaking a restoration

The process involves considerable historical
and architectural research and is usually long and
arduous

that

cornice.

ornamental cornice, this
crowning glory. Because of

preservation purposes, although personal desire, love
for a particular building, and tradition are other

compelling reasons

element

Inappropriate pent roof on Italianate building

difficult to

had
detail of a

appeared

vanished building, or part thereof, as

a specific period of time. Obviously,
reconstruction may be a necessary component of a
restoration or renovation project.
at

REMODELING means

to reconstruct,

renovate or

makeover, but it usually implies a change in style from
what existed previously. Many older commercial
buildings in Bloomsburg have had their storefronts and
band cornices remodeled, and a few have had
additional elements of their facades
the walls and

—

its

therefore

and maintain. A building which has
removed or altered is visibly distorted.

protect

cornice

The Raub

building, at 38-40 East Main Street, for
example, has had extensive repairs done to its upper

cornice and parapet, the retaining wall at the edge of the
roof.

The

unattractive, metal clad parapet,

the remodeled second floor

almost succeed

windows and

coupled with
storefront,

negating the traditional horizontal

modulation and Italianate style of the building.
From a design standpoint, other examples of the
visually intrusive effects of remodeling are the building
containing the

House

of Fabrics,

and the Campbell

Paint over soft masonry provides a good
weatherseal and preserves the surface.
Great care should be taken to maintain
and preserve ornate pressed metal cornices by inhibiting rust and profile deterioration. Before this building is painted
again, all loose paint should be removed
from masonry and metal, the metal primed
with a good rust inhibitor, masonry joints

Effects of neglect and poor maintenance
practices are shown above. The leaky
downspout is responsible for problems of
moisture penetration that cause spalling
of bricks and mortar joints and erosion of
protective painted surfaces. The result is
general deterioration of the masonry wall,
conditions of rot in wooden elements, and
water penetration to the interior, leading
to the eventual loss of structural stability.

repointed and surfaces patched and
cleaned. The whole building should be repainted using oil-base masonry paint. The
present contrasting two-color scheme be-

tween wall and

building at

House

120-126 East Main

Street. Not only

of Fabric building's original brick

has the

facade been

covered with a poor imitation of stone, both the band
cornice and the top cornice have been covered up, too.
In the case of the Campbell building, a former Italianate
residence, the original bracketed cornice has been
replaced with a

flat,

aluminum

integrity of this previously

The
has been

siding material.

handsome

building

reduced by the addition of a garish pent roof.
With few exceptions, almost every building in

further

trim

works very

An example

ing and cleaning to assure tight joints and
present a uniform appearance. The
wooden sash parts have been caulked and

and support brackets-are caulked and
maintained in good condition with all orig-

painted. All provide a tight weatherseal.
The deteriorating stone sill should be reconditioned using a matching color

surfaces are kept protected from moisture
penetration and present a fresh, wellcared for appearance. The contrasting two

masonry bonding cement

color paint

its

approximate

inal profiles intact. Regularly painted, all

scheme is appropriate,

visually

appealing and traditional.

well.

altered from

its

original condition.

Most

of these

remodeled storefronts, but cornice
and facade remodelings are not uncommon.
Therefore, building owners have considerable leeway in
deciding what is necessary and appropriate for their
particular building. Pages 28 through 31 contain a list of
recommendations to improve the appearance of
commercial buildings along Main Street. Before
initiating work on a building, the owner or contractor
alterations consist of

alterations

original profiles.

downtown Bloomsburg constructed before 1940 has
been

of good maintenance and
preservation: masonry joints and surfaces
are properly pointed and sealed. The
wooden elements of the window framesash, sill, horizontal and sloping cornices

Original brickwork makes up the entire
wall and detail elements such as the projecting window head, frieze panels and
corbelled brick cornice. The brickwork is
well maintained and shows recent point-

should contact an architect or preservation consultant to
insure that any changes made to improve the building's

appearance are in accordance with the Secretary of the
Interior's Standards for Historic Preservation projects.
Otherwise, eligibility for the incentives of the Tax Reform
Act might be jeopardized.
In revitalizing

may

older commercial buildings, restoration

not be economically feasible. Partial restoration,

involving reconstruction of important architectural

elements, particularly cornices, and renovation are

practical

and

approaches.

financially realistic

the building retains

original intergnty,

its

however,

no work is to be
undertaken, simply cleaning and maintaining the
and

good

is in

building to give
that

all

condition, or

may be
A sound masonry

a fresh, "well-scrubbed" look

necessary

rejuvenate

it.

may

only need cleaning and
good again. Clean, well-kept
buildings with freshly painted woodwork and trim,
polished metal, sparkling window glass, and
imaginative window displays create a sense of vitality.
To partially restore or renovate an old building or

example,

building, for

possibly repointing to look

storefront, the

first

looked

originally

newspaper

sources

determine how the building

to verify its

architectural style

cards,

step

and

physical form, materials,

details.

Old photographs, post

and

articles,

«**

histories are

good

of this information.

The next step

remove extraneous, nonoriginal
'

items from the facade, such as signage, facing
materials, particularly plastic, metal or

added

after

World War

II,

tile

and other elements

sections
that

From the evidence of
what remains and what may have been destroyed,
coupled with historical information, a good appraisal can

obscure the

original structure.

be made about the
the

scope

original architectural

very
after

little

for

some cases,
may be required

renovation or restoration work

extraneous materials are removed.

The Ritter building, for example, appears not to have
been severely affected by the remodeling of its
storefront. Panels were applied to the facade without
removing the pilaster strips, the tops of which are still
visible on the cornice, which remains intact. There can
be no question that the Morning Press Building has

undergone extensive remodeling, however. No trace
remains

of the intricate Italianate first floor

facade

Extensive restoration and/or renovation work would be
required to stylistically integrate the
floors of the building. Naturally,

first and upper
any new work should

and enhance the established architectural
framework and character of the building and
relate to

streetscape.

PROPOSED

RESTORATION

framework and

design and reconstruction necessary

the restoration or renovation project.

RITTER BUILDING:

Painting
Many older masonry buildings were originally painted
to

provide a good weatherseal to the soft bricks of the

period and to create

and decorative effects.
Usually,
is more advisable to repaint an already
painted masonry building than
is to try to remove the
paint and expose the brick surface Abrasive paint
removal and cleaning methods
sandblasting, in
particular
should be avoided. These abrasive
methods leave the bricks rough and pitted, and they
damage the joints by removing mortar, thus exposing
the bricks to weather and causing severe spalling.
Frequently, sandblasting does not succeed in removing
all the paint and. in addition to damaging the bricks,
may
stylistic

—

successful method of removing paint involves the

application of a caustic paint

—

destroy or substantially diminish decorative detailing.

remover followed three

four hours later by a water wash-off. Spot applications of
paint

remover and water wash-offs remove any

remaining

paint.

There are several factors to keep in mind when
painting a building. Perhaps the most important one
that colors

should complement the building being

painted and relate well to the colors of neighboring
buildings to

enhance the appearance

of the street

building has predominantly natural materials

on the

facade, then trim colors should harmonize with the brick

and primary colors should be avoided
and color schemes should be kept muted and simple. As
a general rule, only one color and a contrasting color for
trim and details should be used. The predominant

or stone. Bright

existing color

hues and

painted with

its

found on the street

tonality

should serve as a guide

to integrate the building

being

neighbors; whites, earth tones of red or

brown, and muted grays are

traditional colors,

although

others are acceptable.

The buildings in Bloomsburg's downtown represent a
variety of types, sizes,

and

styles from several different

have been altered to some degree. These
an overall sense of diversity in the
present appearance and condition of the streetscape.
For this reason
is not feasible to establish a color
scheme applicable to all buildings. It is more appropriate
to consider each building's color scheme within its
immediate street context.
The Ritter building, at 1 1 2 East Main Street, is a good
periods;

all

factors contribute to

building to illustrate principles that apply to painting

buildings

a downtown context.

a 19th century

commercial building with typical horizontal modulations:
base (storefront), body (upper story walls), and cap

scheme should be consistent from top to bottom to unify
a former or original color

desired, the best

to take paint chips directly from the wall

In making color selections, paint store, chip samples
are a handy accessory. Samples should be selected

ornamental masonry, window hoods, and cornices are
all painted white. The non-original storefront panels are
also painted white to contrast with the red background.
This is a basic, workable color scheme; one
predominant base color and one trim color
simple in

—

character, traditional,

and

opportunity exists to focus

dignified. In this case,

attention

on the

details

handsome, ornate cornice, particularly scroll
brackets and animal caps, by utilizing an additional
complementary color, such as gray or off-white.
In painting fine details, restraint should be the
watchword. A paint scheme must be integral to the total

some instances, and dark tones may appear less strong
than anticipated, requiring the selection of a deeper,

from comparable, related color families. Color samples
should only be used in natural light. Their appearance

darker hue. Trial and error

should be examined under different conditions of

will

insure against costly

mistakes.

SNEIDMAN BUILDING:
PROPOSED RESTORATION
ROOF
STRAJ&HTEN METAL CAP.
MAINTAIN KCOF- IN

GOOD

— the

Crescent building, the Courthouse, and the Town Hall,
for example. The storefront trim, window frames, sash,

unobstructed, natural light, colors will tend to look lighter
outdoors then they do indoors or on a sample chip. Pure
whites can sometimes appear too bright, glaring in

determine color and hue.

the background color. Appropriately, the upper stories
are painted an earth tone red color compatible with key
buildings of similar color and tone

and cloudy days.
Small samples can be deceptive because of their size.
Once a color has been selected, larger samples, using
the actual paint, should be applied to the building being
painted for appraisal. Because of the effect of

method
and trim areas
of the building and feather edge sandpaper the samples
to expose the different layers of paint application to
If

(upper cornice). The storefront and trim colors are
contrasted against the color of the body which provides

downtown

brightness, particularly on sunny

the facade.

CONDITION.

CORNICE
REMOVE LCOSE

PAINT.

REMOVE- PROJECTI PIG

AMD
ALL MOM ORIGINAL
HARDWARE FROM FACADE.

SIGN, A/C UNITS
•

1 I 1

CLEAN .RERJINT AND
RESTORE ALL MASONRY
SURFACES.
REPAINT ENTIRE FACADE
WITH TWO-COLOR.
CONTRASTING COLOR
SCHEME-.

ruijijwmji

m m
?

Ifil

r-—

fm\

fi>

NALL

STOREFRONT

of the

building; too

much

attention to specific details

unbalance the scheme.

may

advisable to work out the

scheme well in advance of the actual painting,
especially the scheme is to be more complex than one
background color and a contrasting trim color. The color
total color

DELETE AWNING.
REDESIGN AND REPLACE
EXISTING STOeEFROMT
ANP APARTMENT ENTRY
SIMILAR TO ORIGINAL.

STREETMAINTAIN CLOCK.

THE CRESCENT BUILDING
,l

A highlight of the building is an
crescent above the
second floor surmounting a three-tiered
elliptical central

brick arch with sandstone keystones.
Renaissance Slide Presentation

Former building

of W.H.

Moore, Jacob Keller and Moyer

The Crescent Building as

Brothers.

The most prominent
"Crescent

Building.

building in

Located

Bloomsburg is the
and Main Streets,

at Iron

the building

is so named because of a finely
detailed
pointed brick crescent near the peak of the
central
pedimented section of the building.

Nowhere

the celebration of the

central commercial

downtown as a

space more apparent than in the
composing the facade of this

and ornate

details

handsome

brick building.

The upper floors retain their
original integrity. The windows on the
second floor have
elliptical arched heads surmounted
with radiating brick
voussoirs and sandstone keystones. Two
finely turned
cast iron balastrades with natural outward

looks today

rough sandstone, one of three that
band the facade, intersects these windows
below the arch. These sandstone courses add strength
and textural variety to the polychrome facade.
belt of

horizontally

and horizontal division is generated by
engaged brick columns that intersect the belts of
sandstone They terminate below the second floor in
Vertical thrust

four

rich

curves
accentuate the graceful arches above the
windows.
third completing the right side is
mysteriously absent.

continuous

carved pendants.
Terra cotta panels

three-tiered brick arch with

sandstone keystones.
Pointed bricks of the crescent create a textured, almost
pebbly, surface that changes its reflected patterns with
the

various shapes and sizes add a
unique design element, most notably in the central
in

portion of the building.

The prominent cornice is not
bracketed. Instead, dentils, small evenly-spaced
teeth
below the cornice, complement three horizontal rows

A
A

projections incorporate the elliptical emphasis of the
window arches and radiating brick voussoirs.
A highlight of the building is an elliptical central
crescent above the second floor surmounting a

accented brick near the roofline on both sides of the
building Atop the cornice, a series of
wave-like

light.

This
floor.

is the building facade as it
appears above the
Below, the symmetry, intricate detail and

first

complementary design elements end. Three different
commercial signs compete for attention on the first floor.
The storefronts have been altered in ways that are
incompatible with one another.
Revising the present storefronts to relate more to the

«••••«•''«•>'
;.•:::?:

The Crescent Building epitomizes the importance of the

downtown. Its impressive architecture warrants attention
and respect. Nowhere is the celebration of the downtown
as a central commercial space more apparent than in the
rich and ornate details composing the facade of this

handsome
spirit

brick building.

of the original architecture while maintaining the

present uses

shown

the illustration. Existing

entrance locations have been retained but the

and signage are redesigned with materials
in harmony with the upper
stories New awnings complete the street level
improvement. Above, projecting electric signs should be
removed, while gold leaf painted signage on the window

storefronts

and

details stylistically

glass should be retained. Masonry should be cleaned

and repointed, and any damaged architectural details
should be restored. Repainting the trim will refresh the
total appearance. A festive and inexpensive feature is
the addition of flagpole brackets on alternate window
sills at the upper story. Excellent for the 4th of July and
other patriotic holidays, or even for everyday, a row of
American flags would wave in celebration. This idea of
flags on window sills of upper stories could be utilized by
many other buildings in the downtown core; they would
have tremendous visual appeal and provide a backdrop
for special events and holiday festivals

SIGNAGE
Places of commerce are usually identified by signs.

many commercial buildings were built
display and sell company wares. These kinds

the 19th century,

house,

of buildings

predominate

entire building

downtown Bloomsburg. The

conveyed an image with signage

functioning as an integral pari of that imagery. This

signage identified the building by
advertised the goods for sale.
architecture, signage

Successful

name and often
good commercial

pari of the architecture.

commerce and

coupled with the

rising competition,

and the
automobile, created another array of advertising and
varied signage displays. The advance of modern
arrival of electric lighting

technology also had a tremendous impact on the
streetscape, creating a profusion of poles, wires, lights

and signs that obscured the imagery and altered
people's perceptions of buildings, signs, and the street.
Viewer perception of the streetscape occurs

two

one related to pedestrians, the other to vehicular
movement. In the 20th century, viewer perception
changed from a horse and carriage perspective to that
levels

of the automobile driver. Signs

became

larger, higher

and brighter so they could be read at greater distances
and higher speeds. Signs originally scaled to the
pedestrian were often obliterated or
the

new

overwhelmed by

signage, creating discordant and poorly scaled

images.

Images communicate at three levels of scale. The first
scale includes the street and individual buildings as an
image and is read from a distance The second scale
the partial building facade perceived from a vehicle

moving on the

street or

street.

Here, attention

occurs

by a pedestrian from across the

directed at street level; the
storefront with the business signage above
functioning
as a part of the storefront is the image. The third scale
is

close range and implies pedestrian

interaction. This smaller scale

imagery consists

information, related by interior signage or
advertisements or the actual goods themselves

appearing

the display

window and shop.

Other signs that appear on the street are traffic, street

and

direction signs, signs for public amenities

general information.

All

and

contribute to the milieu of

uncoordinated signage which obscures building

facades and detracts from a clear visual appreciation of
the street.

The

Signs painted directly on

window glass are tradiand effective. The gold leaf lettering of this
sign, located on the Crescent Building, Is large
enough to be seen from across the street or from
tional

a car. The signage

Victorian era

generally equated with elaborate

signs were often very simply painted directly on the

masonry walls

on wood panels embellished with a

simple molding. These were then applied

to or

hung

from the facade or cornice. Signs painted on display

windows used ornate

not out of scale or context

is simple and
period and the fine
architectural details that ornament the building.
However, the lighted sign Is cumbersome and
redundant. Stylistically out of context tor the
building, It should be removed, providing an un-

compatible In

display and excessive detailing. However, Victorian

with the building. The lettering
spirit with the

obstructed view of the delightful terra cotta
sert beneath the belt course.

in-

lettering.

Signs are an integral part of a storefront or building
facade. If possible, older buildings should use signs that
recall the

signs.

shape, size and location of the original building

this

not possible, signs should

proportionally into the

framework

fit

of a building without

covering architectural details. Such signs should be
very simple

name

of the

design, customarily containing only the

owner

or type of store.

They should not

interfere with or obliterate building details, trim or

openings.
Quality period signage
but economical

means

one

of the

more important
street. The

upgrading the

removal of existing incompatible signage
highest

The

of the

priority.

picture of

Main Street from Market Square

(circa

1910) depicts a wide street with large trees on the north
side to provide shade from the sun. With the exception
The prominent, painted sign on the Lowenberg
Building at 34-36 East Main Street is characteristic of Victorian era signage. The band cornice
sign, which speaks directly to the pedestrian,
successfully duplicates the lettering of the
painted sign, on a smaller scale and in a different
material. The contrast between the white lettering and black carrara glass is compatible with the
painted sign; both are effective and do not detract from the building 's facade or the rhythm of
the street. The hanging sign, however, is redundant. It clutters the facade and detracts from the
streetscape.

telephone poles, the street is uncluttered. A large
mounted on the sidewalk is easily visible and

clock

all observers the importance of time. Awnings
and small wooden signs project from some buildings
while on others they are painted directly on the surface.
The general appearance is one of diversity, liveliness
and simple clarity.
In present day Bloomsburg, the contrast in periods,
life style, and signage are everywhere evident. The
picture of present day Main Street shows a jumble of
buildings with void spaces between them, varied
unrelated colors and materials and a profusion of
signage which overwhelms rather than complements

signals to

the buildings

and confuses rather than

SIGNAGE

for the viewer.

PROBLEMS

facades are shown

Specific signs that

do not
in

clarifies

images

relate well to their respective

the following examples:

Seasonal Fashions: As a total element, this sign is of
questionable size, material, placement and design.

i 1 1 1

totally

•i

fc,

lettering relate well to

ignore the scale

the building

i i

«^

LL.
and

J. S.

.\\.vmN

.//////////'

Storefront

1 ?

Most inappropriate is its oversized background of ribbed
metal which osbcures a very fine horizontal band
cornice as well as the transom bars of the storefront. Its
edges have no comfortable framing elements and the
sign hangs suspended in an unharmonious way. The
painted sign mounted on this oversized background
would be properly sized if it were housed with the
original signage framework just below the band cornice.

and

each

w
other, but

architectural relationship of

Raub Shoes: The

lighted projecting sign

overscaled and appears weighty and burdensome on
the masonry facade The metal supports are distracting.

The

advertising value

illuminated sign

and

visual

questionable.

exposure

The

of this

storefront sign

also overscaled to the dimensions of the building
storefront.

and
edges

stretches out wider than the building

and its excessive height covers and obscures the sills of
second story windows. The letters, though not offensive
are oversized and without distinction. This sign
appropriate to one story, modern commercial

in style,
is

building, not

Upper

it.

left:

The lighted projecting sign burdens the
facade of the
Its excessive height and width
do not increase

building
its

effectiveness but

do impair

the aesthetic qualities of

the building

Lower right.
As a total element, this sign is of questionable size,
placement and design. It obscures a very fine horizontal
band cornice as well as the transom bars of the
store-

front

a 19th century brick storefront.

AAA/Valiey Automobile Club: The signage and
remodeled storefront have visually altered the unity that
existed between the original storefront and the still intact
and delightful Queen Anne facade above
Both the
present storefront and signage should be removed to

accommodate a

serious renovation that would be

architecturally compatible with the

Queen Anne

character of the building.

Racusin's: Storefront and lettering relate well to
other, but totally ignore the scale or architectural
relationship of the building. A more modestly

scaled

storefront

and

letters sensitive to the materials

character of the original architecture would be

and
more

The extraneous second floor sign should be
removed.
Moyer's Pharmacy: Storefront is overscaled and of

desirable.

unrelated design and materials to an otherwise

each

handsome upper

facade.

The upper

story, projecting

illuminated signage should be removed.

renovation

plan should include a redesigned storefront
related to the architectural scale,

and signage
framework and details

of the original building.

Signage

Criteria:

Good signage should

create an

effective depiction of goods, items, or services.

should relate

its

surroundings

sign

an inoffensive and

constructive way.

Type, scale, placement and design are major factors
consider. Type relates to image, application or

mounting and whether the sign
Scale refers

how

relation to adjacent buildings,

Placement

lighted or non-lighted.

large or small the sign

as well as

will

appear

to other signs.

refers to the sign's relative position

on the

building facade. Design incorporates a specific style,

shape, dimension, color and illumination which the sign
is to have.
Guidelines

for

good signage should stress the

following:
1)

signs are necessary to communicate information

about places, goods, services and amenities. As such,
they have a useful function. They should not confuse;
they should inform with clarity.
2)

signsareapartoftheurbanstreetscape. Signage,

a collective sense, has a civic obligation to be
character with the rest of the street.
in

3) buildings are signs in that they represent a kind of
imagery through their architecture.
4) signage is visual. Good signage is an art form that
should be addressed with sensitivity. In addition to
communicating information, signage is an architectural

element.
5)

signs on buildings should not obliterate or obscure

the architecture of the building.

sign

should be compatible or intergral with

on a

building

it.

6) buildings originally designed with spaces for
signage should remove obliterative signs and utilize
these predetermined places for proper sign placement.
7) obsolete signage from defunct activities should be
removed unless is an integral part of the building's
it

architecture.

MARKETING
The

rebirth of

urban centers

become

decline has

buildings have participated

as new;

after several

a majoi national

in fact, historic

in this

buildings

decades

renaissance as well
and neighborhoods

have become the focal point foi many revitalization
Quincy Market in Boston, for example, builds on
an open marketing tradition that goes back 200 years.
efforts

New

Vork BharbOl front development

will

begin with the

restoration of early 19th century wharf buildings.

These efforts to revit, ih

urban downtowns

emote

than a trend, combining as they do the best and most
functional buildings from the past with creative

nn.

in lion.

8) generally clean streets;

movement Old

new

Merchants and developers convey

Marketing Image: Marketing should begin with an
image for the town Merchant surveys conducted
by the Town of Bloomsburg and meetings of the
Downtown Revitalization Committee revealed a strong
bias toward preservation as a theme for downtown
overall

revitalization Such a theme strikes a strong chord in
Americans seeking to reestablish a relationship with the

past that

in all

merchandising and promotion.
The Main Street movement seeks

same goals

for

accomplish the

and character

earlier period.

moan an

shopping m
kon that approach to
commercial development. Rather,
involves a
continuous process of private and public improvements
that build on existing assets.
it

Bloomsburg. these assets include
a

many
2) a

Street shopping districl that embraces
architectural styles and building types;
of architecturally significant buildings

that lend distinction to

Main Street;
a wide Main Street that sets off builalings along the

street;

4) good sidewalks and
been improved;

streets that

5) parking along Main Street and in
behind Main Street;
6) a good mix of downtown stores;
7)

occupied

street;

brick

a whole. Signs create visual clutter that is confusing to
customers It is difficult to emphasize a preservation
if

buildings along Main Street

forceful, integrated

do not make a

design statement.

Therefore, the first step toward establishing a general
marketing theme should be to improve building facades,
remove obtrusive signs and replace them with sensitive
signage scaled to the original building. A sign ordinance
that restricts incompatible signs in the

Mam

number

and metal panels, pent roofs, and new
and glass that are inconsistent with the building as

addition of plastic

theme
instant

solution, the

and developing
approaches to emphasize them Many first floor
commercial storefronts have been altered by the

mean retaining the status quo
means rediscovering the

specific

Unlike urban
entera where only fragments of the 19th sntury built
environment remain, many towns still have an intact

Reviving Main Street does not

a specific time and place

values and structures

essential qualities of older buildings

small cities and towns

that retains the scale

of earlier

downtown Bloomsburg

Main Street

functional, rooted in

Preservation does not

this

aspects of design,

and conserving
in

creative use of the past

and

a healthy employment base downtown.

first

floor

have recently
lots

commercial space

immediately

downtown is
needed
The entire community should be involved in this
marketing aspect, particularly the owners of buildings
which constitute the face" of the downtown. By being
involved, individual citizens will feel they have a stake in
the revitalization of the downtown; their consumer
dollars and potential support are essential if local efforts
are to be successful
Other improvements proposed for the downtown
landscaping of parking areas, parking and shopping
signs, pedestrian alleys and passageways, all become

all

along the

part of a collective

image toward which the town must

Marketing of Space: Bloomsburg, like many other
communities, has underutilized space on the second

and

third floors of

downtown commercial

buildings that

could be converted to more intensive use At present

space

marketed on an individual basis, more or
of the building However, it may be
possible to lease out large areas of open and
underutilized second floor space to a single developer
or lessor who would then work with potential merchants
to develop space according to their proposed plans. The
diagram illustrating unoccupied second floor space
this

less by the

identifies a

owner

number of contiguous buildings in downtown

Bloomsburg which would facilitate such development,
most notably the second floor of the Woolworth building,

much

which

unoccupied.

several blocks the

second floors are on the same level with one another.
This would permit pass-through space which would give

downtowns are

compete

with mall-type

promotions and development strategies.
The proposed mini-mall could become an important
marketing asset Bloomsburg, with a limited

development investment

in space behind the Mam
Street fabric of buildings, would be able to create a

and

commercial environment, not
effect. Such a development
could incorporate important amenities, even fountain
effects and architectural detailing customarily found in
startling

attractive

large but very dramatic

modern

in its

malls. Thus, with a small scale mall

development, Bloomsburg could create the impression
of a thoroughly modern, innovative and creative

downtown. In effect, would provide for the marriage
both mall and traditional downtown in a setting
it

appropriate to both.

A downtown development

corporation, discussed below, could acquire the site

for

development, erect buildings and turn these over to a
developer on a long term lease basis or act as the lessor

"In Italy, in the fourteenth century, the

Renaissance was a time when

older

and developer themselves.
Towns such as Bloomsburg have to realize that a
certain amount of risk taking is required the downtown
is to expand and generate additional shopping space

art, ar-

chitecture, literature and learning revived and triumphed. For Bloomsburg,

'renaissance' is a time to look back at a
rich architectural heritage and ahead to

within traditional parameters. In the 1950's,

nearby
towns such as Danville, Berwick and Sunbury had
adequate space for customers who lived within the town
and for those who came from outside. This is not the

a promising future."
Renaissance Slide Show

case, today.

these buildings the

now

same

interior

pedestrian

movement

Such movement is a crucial
consideration during bad weather and winter months.
First floor properties can also be opened up to permit
shoppers to move from one store to another without
afforded by malls.

going outside.
Certainly,

new and

innovative approaches to

downtown development and

revitalization are

needed

Towns must develop the same marketing capabilities
Many area communities, Bloomsburg

as the malls.

included, have begun to develop shared advertising
campaigns and to explore creative and unique
promotions to draw people downtown, including an
emphasis on community culture and traditions. These
promotions have helped to link commerce and

communal

activity in a very significant

way.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
'There are strategies for revitalization;

there are sources of federal and state
funding; there are forms of technical assistance; but

thing

none of these mean any-

people have not decided that the
is a very special place in-

downtown
deed."

Thomas R Deans,
Pennsylvania Community Development

Society Conference. 1980

Downtown Development
Corporations: Concepts
town governments, as opposed to their
city counterparts, have not been involved in the
downtown development process, either in the planning

downtown planning

studies, and implementing parking,
redevelopment, transportation, street improvement and
taxation recommendations.

A downtown development corporation is an excellent
downtown improvements and assemble

vehicle to fund

phase Not only are small

and towns
understaffed, they often lack the financing, tax, and
development expertise needed to generate and direct
private investment. In larger cities, both public and
private investment sectors expect government
to take
an

cities

downtown revitalization.
Called by many different names, "downtown
activist role in

development corporations" provide a link between
government and business by including in their

membership merchants, property owners, citizens and
representatives of local government. Because of their
defined mission and focus, such corporations can
direct
the resources and energies of member
organizations
toward revitalizing downtown areas, particularly in
small
towns where collective action can overcome a lack of
expertise

The activities of a downtown development
corporation can range from promoting
sidewalk sales,
special events, and parking programs to
conducting

• purchase options to keep properties
• construct and

sell

or profit/non-profit corporations,

of stock.

for properties.

also offers the potential of involving large

numbers of local citizens, institutions and businesses,
all of them investors in the decision-making process.
A major focus of downtown development
corporations has been central business district
redevelopment. Such a corporation can acquire
properties by purchase or donation, clear them,

necessary, and either
a developer

sell

and lease properties to private investors
and
construct, manage and provide long-term leases

• construct

•

vs Not-f or- Profit
Corporations
Profit

the corporation's plans

and lease

to tenants.

basic issue that must be addressed prior to

establishing a development corporation
profit

or not-for-profit organization.

corporation can

successful

constructing

The downtown development corporation, acting with
the encouragement of local government officials, can

all

status as a

the corporation

to profit-generating projects;

offices, residential or retail

types of

Such a corporation would

district, for

not-for-profit corporation,

finance

is its

profit-making

space

example.

on the other hand, can

downtown improvement

projects,

ranging from promotion activities and public

real estate,

2) acting as developer

buildings

new

the central business

activities:

acquiring and disposing of absolute or partial

interest

ventures.

probably be limited

Corporations: Activities

in its

shares of stock and return

sell

dividends to the shareholders,

Downtown Development

undertake three major

the market,

the property or cleared land to

who will comply with

or develop the property

off

commercial property,

for development or redevelopment. It
advantage of raising capital within the
community, either through member assessment or sale

parcels of land

offers the

Traditionally,

or execution

• purchase and resell properties with protective
covenants or deed restrictions,
• purchase facade easements,*

the

and lessor
downtown,

new commercial

3) providing financing at favorable rates for private
real estate transactions

and improvements.
These corporations can also:
• sell abandoned or tax delinquent properties

those willing to renovate them,
• purchase, restore/renovate,

resell,

leaseback properties,
• purchase and resell properties
investors willing to renovate,

'The facade easement approach has stimulated design
improvements in historic cities and neighborhoods; it could be
an effective tool in downtown Bloomsburg. By purchasing the
facade easement, the development corporation or authority
can obtain long term, low interest financing at rates

—

lease or

a writedown

comparable to the local industrial development authority
Improvements to the facades
the face of Main Street, so to
speak
create the quickest and most dramatic change in the
downtown. But, without such a vehicle as the facade
easement program, building owners find it difficult to finance
improvements when there is a marginal return on property

investment

—

)

improvements

to private

development

projects.

Such a

corporation normally raises funds by soliciting
non-returnable contributions from its members, rather
than by issuing shares of stock. Thesedonations are tax
deductible.

addition, the not-for-profit corporation

concerning required services,

growth and development, especially

needs, such as clean up,

Its ability

parking

tax on its earnings.
accept tax-deductible donations of money,
services, and materials assures support from a broad
range of interests, including charitable sources. Such a
to

corporation

downtown
as changes take

place within the central business district,
5) providing a forum in which specific maintenance

exempt from paying federal income

lighting and street repairs and
upkeep are continuously addressed, and
6) planning for and implementing capital
improvements and ongoing services.
lot

also eligible to receive corporate

qualify for tax-exempt status, the not-for-profit

corporation must meet the requirements of the Internal

Programs
Public agencies use funds from a variety of sources,
both public and private, to support the activities of

downtown development

Raising Funds

and towns

and loan guarantees,
companion loans used with a
bank pool or consortium financing, and
3) start-up financing for shop or restaurant owners.
Membership contributions are the most important
source of financing for not-for-profit development
1) grants, loans,

2) interest subsidies or

corporations.

In addition, not-for-profit corporations may
receive tax deductible contributions of money, services
and materials and may seek assistance from charitable
foundations and other sources. They also may be

assistance from various levels of
for

Development corporations can undertake a number
and objectives, including:
coordinating the downtown's approach to potential
1
developers, tenants, patrons, and the public-at-large.
of functions

2) maintaining close liaison with local, state
federal governments,
3) providing

a mechanism

corporations.

Federal programs intended

Financing methods used by downtown development
corporations include:

eligible for

for

the

exception

will

be Community

revenue bonds, and revolving funds for rehabilitation.
The downtown development corporation can also use

of 1954, Section 501(c)(3).

government; the Small Business Administration,
example.

One

Development funds allocated to the State Department
of Community Affairs for housing, community
development and recreation. These funds are normally
used to support a specific component of a larger project
for which funding is assured.
financing, special assessments, local general funds,

Federal and State

corporate donor.

Revenue Code

federal level, too.

Local sources of funding include: tax investment

contributions at a substantial tax savings to the

improvements can be financed in this manner building
owners will act collectively.
State programs will be affected by cutbacks at the
if

4) establishing accountability for nurturing

and

downtown

constituency to reach an understanding with the town

will

to revitalize

older cities

be profoundly affected by the Reagan

Administration's proposed budget cuts.

The Heritage
Conservation and Recreation Service and the
Comprehensive Employment and Training Act
programs are slated to be eliminated; the Appalachian
Regional Commission severely curtailed.
be funded, however, are long-term Business
and Industry loan programs of the Farmer's Home
Administration, some programs of the Economic
Development Administration, the Small Business
Administration's 503 program, Community
Development Block Grants (Small Cities), and possibly
enterprise zones in targeted low-income, high
Still

unemployment areas.
Urban Development Action Grants (UDAG) will be
fused into the Community Development Block Grant
Program and become more competitive. They are an
important method of leveraging downtown investment.
For every

five or six dollars of private

investment, the

UDAG

program will contribute one dollar toward
community improvements. This can be in the form
low-interest, long-term loan to a potential

foundation funds, charitable contributions by individuals
and corporations, and lines of credit to carry out its work

Tax Incentives
The local municipality can play a crucial role in
downtown development by providing tax incentives,
either through tax abatement or assessment practices.
The new LERTA program permits a municipality, acting
in concert with the county and local school district, to
taxes on new construction projects or
improvements over a ten year period. Lowered
assessments on certain key downtown properties may

"phase

in"

building

make

it possible for investors to acquire and rehabilitate
them. Assessments can be raised after profitability is

established. Implicit

confidence

Town

Bloomsburg and

downtown

developer; the loan payback could fund specific public
amenities associated with the project. Facade

programs

potential investors.

The Downtown Plan
The downtown
serve as a guide

of a

of these

in all

the future, a crucial ingredient both for the

plan outlined

to future

the central business

in this

publication can

planning and development

As such, should be
formally adopted by both the downtown development
corporation and the municipality, whose support is
essential
long term improvement is to occur.
district.

REGIONAL CONCEPTS
Downtown Bloomsburg must be perceived as more
than a functional commercial environment

become an

important regional center. Part of the

increased use associated with being a regional center,
of course,

will

flow from

development and marketing

ideas already presented.

The absence of a regional urban center both creates a
problem and presents an opportunity. Bloomsburg
shares much in common with Milton, Sunbury, Danville,
Berwick, Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, and other
Susquehanna River towns. They were important
centers of commerce and industry in the 9th and early
1

20th centuries, developing national markets

for locally

manufactured products. All of these towns, however,
were relatively self-contained; there was no urban
center to which these communities looked for cultural
and social leadership, for entertainment, and sports
activities.

That is not to say, however, that one of these
communities could not create a strong regional role for
itself and. in effect, take on functions and
activities of a
larger urban center. Recently, for example, Williamsport
has recognized its own potential as a regional center.

The city has begun planning for a downtown convention
center and additional motel complexes near the

downtown and promoting increased use of
entertainment and cultural facilities in the downtown.
People

central Pennsylvania are

traveling from

one town

another

accustomed to
purchase

to dine,

goods and services, obtain medical care, attend cultural
and sporting events, and participate in special
promotional

become a

activities.

focal point for dining out;

restaurants

now

more than twenty

cater to a regional clientele.

Bloomsburg can properly aspire to a more prominent
is one of the few communities
along
Route 80 serviced by exits at both its eastern
and

regional role.

western approaches. The Town is almost
equidistant
from two other population centers, Danville
and
Berwick. It has a major college, a healthy downtown
with
a variety of shops, cultural attractions, fine
dining
facilities,

recreation,

To the north the

hilly

Lewisburg, for example, has

and a commercial

airfield that

can

fenced farmland forms a textured mosiac of green and brown.

be expanded. The wide main street with its broad
and central statuary provides a proper locus for

vista

increased social and commercial activity However,
parking remains a problem that must be addressed as

downtown

activity increases.

Bloomsburg's

visibility

along Route 80

limited.

Presently, only a large, lighted sign advertising the Hotel
Magee guides the highway visitor. The Tourist

Information Center, an outstanding
staffed

and managed,

facility,

adequately

not easily visible to the traveler.

and. though

it handles a large annual tourist
volume,
could be more strategically sited with regard to Route

80.

Recreation and tourism are ways of increasing
Bloomsburg's potential regional role. The Bloomsburg
Fair, an annual event which attracts over 150,000

each year, makes almost everyone in eastern
Pennsylvania familiar with the town of Bloomsburg. Fair

visitors

week has
business

not necessarily provided a major boost to
the downtown. Additional promotions and

could plan the better part of a day in Bloomsburg
shopping, dining, attending the theater, and enjoying
the river front park.

The park boasts the very amenities
urban developers are seeking to incorporate into
large commercial developments such as Harbor Place

that

Baltimore and waterfront projects in New York and
San Francisco. Discovering the need to integrate a
variety of experiences in their lives, people are flocking
in

commercial developments which offer these multiple
Bloomsburg possesses these amenities on a

activities.

small scale.

TOURISM: Columbia County has many

Week
many

might help

to attract

people

downtown. In
instances, people come to
Bloomsburg for the entire day and have discretionary
time to visit Main Street and adjacent areas.
A shuttle bus from the downtown to the Fair would
enhance the prospects for commercial activity. Indeed,
a bus line serving Berwick, Bloomsburg. and Danville
would stimulate activity in the downtown on a
to the

year-round basis. With escalating fuel costs, it would be
an ideal service for commuters to Bloomsburg State
College, Geismger Medical Center, Danville State
Hospital and the businesses and industries on or near

Route

1 1

The fairgrounds could be used as the site for camping
conventions and roundups at other times during the
year. The grandstand offers space for musical and other
stage events which could be promoted to attract people
to Bloomsburg.
Bloomsburg has probably the finest natural recreation
area of any town in the Susquehanna Valley a beautiful

wooded

park along the

diamonds, tennis
along the

create a scenic and restful
a major community asset The Town
wish to consider how this asset could become an
river that

environment.

may

Susquehanna River with ball
courts, picnic areas and open space

attraction to

people from outside the area Families

town tours as well as

visits to interesting rural

landmarks.
Antique shops, many with prominent regional
reputations and fine quality antiques, are located

attractions that

attract transient visitors.

CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT:
role.

Towns

and entertainment

A covered bridge tour of the county could be planned
conjunction with a walking tour of the Town's recently
created historic district. Few towns in Pennsylvania

The Ensemble, under

have such interesting, eclectic architecture, including
examples of Queen Anne, Second Empire, Gothic

the performing arts; the

Many people

and

Art

Deco

styles.

the region are not aware of the beautiful

facilities or

than their immediate area.
rule,

however,

Culture and

the creation of a regional

the region have not developed cultural

can be developed in concert with downtown promotions
and activities Most noticeable are its covered bridges.

Revival, Italianate, Bungalow,

Bloomsburg and these surrounding communities. They
could be promoted as an important local resource to

entertainment are crucial

activities during Fair

could be developed within the County incorporating a
walking tour of Bloomsburg, covered bridge and small

programs

serve more

recent exception to this

the Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble.
the direction of Alvina Krause,

has found the Bloomsburg environment conducive
regional,

Ensemble properly aspires

not statewide, cultural role. Similarly,

Bloomsburg State College has developed a series of
and recreational programs open to regional

cultural

citizens.

Antique shops, many of them with prominent regional reputations and fine quality antiques, are located in Bloomsburg
and the surrounding communities.

The

cultural

bear witness

However,

programs

its

this information

the immediate

Bloomsburg would

certainly

claim as a regional cultural center

newspaper

not disseminated

beyond
The

circulation or radio area.

homes along Bloomsburg's side streets. Yet these
unique visual assets help to create a frame of reference
for

the

community and shape what people

think about

Town

Columbia County has some
small towns

of the

most

interesting

Pennsylvania Orangeville,
Light Street, Almedia, Lime Ridge, Stillwater, Millville,
Catawissa, Mainville. Benton and Espy share a unique,
in all

of rural

19th century architectural heritage. Their historic

character

and unimpaired. In New England,
such towns, boosting the local economy

intact

tourists flock to

while stopping to

bounty;

some of

visit

Columbia County has an added

these towns are located near the finest
Pennsylvania that annually attract

streams in
thousands of fishermen. Coordinated tour
trout

itineraries

development of expanded promotional
important

activities is

be achieved.
One way to increase the Town's regional role is to
increase conference center activity at Bloomsburg State
College. Probably no role could be more effective for
Bloomsburg State College in promoting regional
development than its expanded use as a resource and
conference center during the summer and other periods
of the year. Such conference activities would increase
motel and hotel occupancy rates and in the long run
if

regional status

"The idea of the town as a place of assembly, of social intercourse, of meeting,

was taken

for

granted throughout

the whole of human civilization
twentieth century.'

to the

Gordon Cullen
Townscape. 1961
.

create the additional revenue
facilities in

the immediate

needed to upgrade
and surrounding areas.

The College has hosted several organizations and
regional conventions during the past decade But it has
not approached its convention and workshop potential.

Once in Bloomsburg, people would be attracted
downtown shopping opportunities, the Town's

recreational facilities, performances of the Bloomsburg
Theater Ensemble, dining at the Hotel Magee and other
fine restaurants, and tourism and recreational
opportunities available throughout the County.
At present, no group has been charged with the

responsibility to

develop a coordinated promotional
campaign focusing on the unique resources of the Town
of Bloomsburg. Shared merchant advertising,

Early agricultural pursuits are still expressed in the annual Bloomsburg Fair; the
grandstand, its barns, and exhibit buildings become a flurry of activity every fall; afterward
they make a silent statement of permanence in the landscape.
every sector that

will benefit from the increased traffic.
There are other possibilities. Bloomsburg could adopt
an imaginative and highly visible promotional feature
the use of flags and banners. As anyone who has visited

Popular and profitable markets in Lewisburg and
Sunbury demonstrate the feasibility, indeed the
desirability, of focusing more attention on the farmer's

the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts

The price, freshness and quality of the farmer's
merchandise could be the basis for a promotional
campaign to increase the desire of the public to buy

—

College

State

banners and flags hung from
buildings and guide wires across streets create a sense
of

will testify,

drama Dynamic and beautiful, they could be used as
downtown and special events and

market.

directly

from the farmer.

newspaper supplements, flyers, and radio spots can all
be used to create the image of Bloomsburg as a regional

signs promoting the

center surrounded by unique and interesting places
and
things to do. Since the reality exists, it is

Bloomsburg's new image.

the county.

FARMER'S MARKET: An

conjunction with regular advertising since local

most

appropriate to generate a competitive image that
malls
have understood and used since their inception.

The Bloomsburg Chamber

Commerce,

with the Tourist Promotion Agency,
to

concert

the logical vehicle

conduct a campaign. Funding should

come from

by merchants to demonstrate

their

enthusiasm

for

immediate activity that could
be promoted to enhance Bloomsburg's regional role
and increase the number of shoppers in the downtown is
a farmer's market. At present, farmers are permitted to
sell produce at Market Square, but the market
could be

expanded and improved through increased

publicity.

farmer's market would concentrate roadside

markets

—

one location
the area of highest density
The market could be promoted in

businesses would benefit from the increased

Temporary

traffic

and increased pedestrian
movement would provide local residents and visitors
alike with a traditional yet colorful environment in which

browse.

limitation of traffic

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past."
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Mam

Street from Market Square, circa

1900

APPENDIX: Main
Auto Service
Goodyear

(2)

Cafe

Funeral

Fast Foods

(3)

Sneidman's

Hurr's Dairy

Walker's

Waffle

Hotel (1)

Two Boys
Two Boys

Homes (1)
Home

Government
Town Hall

(8)

Courthouse
Area Agency on Aging

Grill

from Italy
from Jerusalem
Charlie's Pizza

Restaurant

Berngan's Sub Shop

(2)

Magee

International

Dogs

Pharmacies

(4)

Ent's

Real Estate
Lutz

(1)

Agency

Florist (1)

Bloomsburg

Newsstand

Center

Rite-Aid

Rea &
Finance

(2)

Derick

Office Supply (2)

Moyer's

Ritter's

Josepthal Investments

Photography (2)
Glen Edwards Studio

Miller's

Standard/Home Consumer

Clothing (11)

Discount

Women's:

Photo Services

Records (1)
The Record and Jeanswear

Company
Banks

Sherwin-Williams

Beers

Dixie

Eastern Bank
United Penn Bank
First

(3)

Cole's
Electric Co.

Sewing

(4)

(2)

Singer

House

of Fabrics

Federal Savings

Religious

(2)

Paul's Episcopal Church
St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Furniture/Kitchen/Appliances

(1)

Capital

Optical (1)

Men's:
Lee-Pats

Yeager Optical

Barber/Beauty Shops
Reilly's

Books

CPAs

Shultz's

Gehrig & Halterman
Coleman Associates

(1)

Law

Men's Shop

Sporting Goods (3)
American Athlete
Rainbow Mountaineering
Keller's Wholesale

Offices (1)

Lalley

Little

(2)

(4)

Sears
J.C.

(2)

Cleaner

Penney Co.

(1)

Bart Pursel's

Woolworth's
Salvation

Army

Thrift

Store

(5)

Endicott Johnson's
Sharping's
S. Raub's
Taormina's

(1)

Shop

Department Stores

Theatres

Utility (1)
Bell of PA

State Store

Book Shelf

(1)

Banke's

Liquor

Al's

(2)

Barnes'

Bloom Floor and Wall
Quaker Maid Kitchen Design
Colonial Stove Shop
Tom's TV

Moose

Shoes

(4)

Racusin's

GGs

Rectory

Clubs

Shop

Neil

Look-See
Jeans n Things
Little

Bloomsburg Bank
First

Clock and Watch Repair

Maree's
New Sensations
Eudora's Corset Shop
Seasonal Fashions

Lighting/Paint/Hardware

Pipes/Gifts (3)
Studio Shop
Covered Bridge
GGs Country Corner

Travel (2)
Vendettis
Valley Automobile Club

Eppley's
Floral

(1)

Finn's

(3)

Sal's Place

Magee

Kriner Funeral

Type

Texas Lunch

(2)

Hess's/Painted Pony
Al's

Jewelry

Good as Gold

Mobil

Bars/Taverns

Street Establishments by

Radio

(2)

WHLM
WCNR

Glick's

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Downtown

Revitalization study was prepared for the TOWN OF BLOOMSBURG and the
REVITALIZATION COMMITTEE by THOMAS R. DEANS ASSOCIATES, a downtown
planning and development firm in Milton, Pennsylvania. This firm would like to acknowledge the following
individuals and organizations for their participation in the Bloomsburg Downtown Revitalization
Project:
This

DOWNTOWN

BLOOMSBURG TOWN COUNCIL
Allen Remley,

DOWNTOWN BLOOMSBURG BUSINESS

Mayor

ASSOCIATION

John Abell

Bruce Bowman, President

Dan Bauman
William Haney, Sr.

BLOOMSBURG PLANNING COMMISSION

George Hemingway
Edward Kitchen
Angelo Scheno

Rodney Erwine, President

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Dan Bauman
Bruce

Bowman

Rodney Erwine

William Brobst

Jan Girton
Cleveland Hummel

Steven Buckley

Rose Hummel

Thomas Deans
Gerald Depo

Donald Pursel

Ralph Dillon

Charles Queary

Edward Edwards
Edwards

John Walker
Dennis Williams

Sallie

Special Committees:
Beautification
Sallie

Parking

Ralph

Sr.

—

Dillon, Bart Pursel.

Marketing

Peter Javsicas

—

Edwards, Chairperson

—

Chairmen

Steven Buckley, Chairman
Accessibility

—

Rodney Erwine, Chairman

CETA STAFF

TOWN SECRETARY

Kathy Hause, Coordinator

Gerald Depo

BLOOMSBURG CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Edward Edwards, Executive

Roy Vollmer
Architectural Consultant
Thomas Snyder
Photography and Graphics
Gerald Depo
Coordination and Encouragement

Donald Pursel, Past President

—

Robert McBride, President

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56

Special Acknowledgments:

—

Director

—

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" of HIS,onc p

ion

Pennsylvania His,oncai and

Front and Back Cover

"The creative interplay of brick and stone
can best be appreciated by seeing the
unique visual relationship of the Civil War
monument and the surrounding buildings.
A visual march around the monument can
help the town select materials for future
building and street design consistent with
the texture of

its

past."
Renaissance Slide Show