Snow Town of Blosrg Pa by Lonny Frost (2)RETTEW’s community development and planning services have led to one of its clients receiving the 2014 Great Design Award. Given to Blossburg Borough in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, the award is part of the Champion of the PA Wilds Awards, presented to organizations making significant contributions to develop outdoor recreation via economic development and conservation goals.

Blossburg Borough contracted RETTEW to partner in developing a comprehensive plan with emphasis on implementing its goals for the community. The plan and community leadership seek to establish additional recreational opportunities, increased employment, and further stewardship of natural and cultural resources.

RETTEW brought together multiple stakeholders, including elected and appointed officials, community organizations, business operators and local residents to identify the community’s top issues and assets. The final document includes specific projects, including: enhancing the borough’s main park as a regional recreation hub; branding and promoting Blossburg; prioritizing and funding infrastructure improvements; revising the zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances; exploring the development of a business operators’ organization; developing greenways and trails; and preserving and promoting the borough’s rich community heritage.

“Blossburg is fortunate to have a great group of folks who are passionate about their community and their neighbors and who will do anything to help out and get things done,” said Chris Knarr, project manager at RETTEW. “We’re glad that their passion and commitment could be captured in this comprehensive plan, and that Pennsylvania Wilds recognized the quality of purpose in this award.”

The Great Design Award recognizes outstanding work to preserve, protect or enhance an area’s rural community character and promote the use and understanding of the PA Wilds Design Guide. RETTEW provided community planning, group facilitation, and public meeting facilitation services.