Improvements to its downtown thoroughfare remains a top priority in Lehighton.

On a unanimous vote, borough council recently approved the Phase II Main Street Specialist Services for the Smart Growth Grant and commitment of matching funds in the amount of $2,500.

After the meeting, borough Manager Nicole Beckett said that the borough had partnered with the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors Association for the submission of a Smart Growth Grant to the National Realtors Association.

“We were awarded the funds, and will be working on a Phase II Assessment to follow up on the successes and outstanding items from the 2013 Phase I Assessment,” Beckett said. “The grant will work on recommendations to assist us with implementing the Main Street Approach and strategies.”

In addition, this year, the borough has seen the grand opening of the Lehighton Outdoor Center; partnership continued to work on its Trail Town Designation; continued building relationship and marketing the downtown; the premiere of WVIA’s ‘Our Town Lehighton’; and the partnership with the Greater Lehigh Valley Realtor’s Association in the submission of the Smart Growth Grant to the National Realtors Association — Notification of Award of $3,000 for Phase II Downtown Assessment.

In 2017, there was the partnership with the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, borough, chamber and Lehighton Downtown Initiative on the Trail Towns Designation; continued building relationships with prospective business owners, existing business owners and marketing the downtown; continued working with Jerry McAward on the Development of the Lehighton Outdoor Center; continued work with code enforcement on report for Gulotta Group; council adopted ordinance implementing Act 90 of 2010; and the inaugural year of the Lehighton Farmers Market hosted by Lehighton Downtown Initiative.

In 2016, the 150th Anniversary Committee hosted an eight-day celebration for the sesquicentennial anniversary in June; there was community pride and involvement and request for more events in the community; continued outreach to property owners within the downtown and along Lehigh Drive for potential of riverfront properties; the rededication of the Colonel Jacob Weiss Park; continued installation on interpretive signage in the borough; continued work with McAward on the development of the Lehighton Outdoor Center; worked with the Gulotta Group to evaluate vacant, blighted and redevelopment opportunities and received report for with recommendations; the Trail Connectivity Project behind Red Castle; and the Lehighton Downtown Initiative hosted Rocktoberfest.

In 2015, the borough worked with McAward on the land development project for the Lehighton Outdoor Center; continued planning for the eight-day celebration for the borough’s 150th anniversary; community outreach for new members of the LDI; relocation and rededication of the World War II Memorial on Sergeant Stanley Hoffman Boulevard; and continued working on options for remediation of blight in downtown.

In 2014, there was the dedication and ribbon cutting of the Lehighton Trailhead; Leadership Carbon Class of 2014 — Beautification Project at the Trailhead along with the first 5K along the Lehighton Trail — the Hippie Run and Walk; the Women’s Club of Lehighton contributed funds for the train mural at the Trailhead; began planning for the 150th Anniversary Celebration; planning and design of the Colonel Jacob Weiss Park Rehabilitation Project; meeting with McAward to discuss his proposed plans for Jim Thorpe River Adventures and the Northeast PA Kayak School; and exploring opportunities to rid downtown of blight.

And in 2012-13, the borough partnered with the Carbon County Realtors Association to complete the National Main Street Center Assessment Report; there was outreach to local officials, community groups and businesses for participation in the assessment report; the extension of the Delaware and Lehighton National Heritage Corridor trail system through coordination of DLNHC, the borough, Lehighton Sewer Authority and the turnpike construction project; the partnership with the DLNHC and DCNR on the Lehighton Trailhead Project; and started installation of interpretive signs throughout the borough.