The Park Avenue Improvements Project

A successful example of public involvement and facilitation services currently being performed by ORA on a transportation improvement project is the Park Avenue Improvements Project in PennDOT District 9-0. As a sub-consultant to Erdman-Anthony, ORA is the lead public involvement consultant for this controversial project which involves the widening of a local connector road through a small community which was rezoned commercial. The project will cause several residential displacements and completely bi-sect the Lakemont Community of Altoona. Through careful facilitation of a Community Advisory Committee, which was formed at the project’s beginning, the project team has been able to convey to the residents of Lakemont that growth and development of the study area is imminent, and that accepting change is in the best interest of the community as a whole. The advisory committee for this project has been involved with the project team at every major milestone during the project. Meetings at major decision making points with the advisory committee have promoted a sense of trust with the committee, as well as the residents of the Lakemont area. While accepting that this project is needed for the economic stability and growth of the area in which they reside has not been easy, having a facilitated group together has helped this project overcome hurdles in public resistance, which under normal circumstances would have slowed the project considerably.