Johnstown, PA (WJAC) — A city official confirms to 6 News that a major project to revitalize and beautify downtown Johnstown could impact Central Park.
Economic Development Director John Dubnansky said the $24 million downtown project announced in February will target the inclined plane, the train station as well as sidewalks and improvements to Main Street. He said changes to the park could be part of final design.
Dubnansky said a team in New York City will design several options for the city. He said a contract should be signed with the agency in a matter of days, with concepts coming to the city this summer. He said the agency will be paid $1.6 million to create concepts.
Dubnansky acknowledged that a local organization was contacted to discuss possible options to move or relocate monuments or statues already located in the park.
Central Park is known as a place for Johnstown residents to gather. The city celebrates Christmas with a large, animated tree and Christmas village during the holiday, and has weekly farmers markets in the summer. Several monuments dot the park, including ones from floods, wars and the city’s founder Joseph Johns.
Dubnansky stressed that any discussion about plans for the park or its monuments are extremely early in the process. He said they want to see what could be done with the existing structures to give the design team options.
Dubnansky said as concepts arrive, the city is planning to have events to show them off and look for public comment.
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