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Oct. 16, 2014 — Allegheny College has received a $2 million grant from the state to assist with the redevelopment of properties along North Main Street that will benefit the college and provide additional space for community events.

“This project will improve the educational experience for every student at Allegheny College,” Gov. Tom Corbett said in announcing the grant. “By upgrading and refurbishing the area around campus, we are helping create a better student life for the next generation of leaders in Pennsylvania.”

The state Economic Growth Initiative Grant augments more than $5 million the college already has committed to the effort, which is known as the North Main Street Revitalization and Civic Engagement project. The project is intended to improve the safety, appearance and accessibility of facilities, roadways and land along North Main Street. That area stretches from Loomis Street on the south side of campus to Limber Road at the north end of campus.

“The project also will centralize the location of our community engagement and outreach programs in collaboration with our community partners,” Allegheny College President James H. Mullen Jr. said. “Most notably we will be opening the Bicentennial Plaza and a refurbished Pelletier Library that will create space for our community partners to work with the college.

“The North Main Street corridor is used not only by members of the college community, but also by the residents of Meadville and the surrounding area, as well as thousands of campus visitors annually,” Mullen said. “It includes campus facilities that serve as venues for public performances and lectures, meetings and conferences.”

Besides the new Bicentennial Plaza and a refurbished Pelletier Library that will house the Allegheny Gateway – a career, cultural and community resource – the project includes purchasing and renovating housing along North Main Street, burying utility lines to prepare for installing improved street lighting that will enhance safety, and making the entryway to campus and crosswalks more visible.

Pelletier Library soon will see more public activity when the Allegheny Gateway opens in the spring. The Gateway is the signature program of the college’s current strategic plan.

“The Gateway will be the hub for community engagement. Community members and Allegheny faculty, staff and students working together will identify needs and opportunities within Meadville and develop and implement strategies to address them,” Mullen said. “Allegheny has a strong ethos of service, and our students and faculty have developed robust partnerships with community organizations. A commitment to service and collaborative community efforts based on reciprocity and respect exists at every level.”