Erie reveals newly renovated downtown park

The newly renovated Griswold Park was revealed and dedicated on Thursday, Oct. 22, as part of the City of Erie 's $52 million dollar downtown revitalization plan.

The park's $700,000 expansion and redesign is just the beginning of a downtown master plan that includes townhouses, condominiums, green space, retail and streetscape improvements between 12th and 14th Streets in Erie.

"We are hoping that it will become a gathering place for people that are working downtown and people who are living downtown," said Kim Green, the City of Erie's director of economic and community development. "It is going to act as an anchor for the new townhouse and condominiums that are going in in that neighborhood."

The park now includes more green space, new landscaping, streetscaping, park benches and a brand new fountain, which replaces the old gazebo that was removed and taken to another park, said Green.

The fountain was dedicated to Robert Waytenick, who, according to GoErie.com served as Erie public works director from 1964-86.

Drop-off mail boxes were replaced at the side of the Griswold Post Office for more accessibility. And a statute of Evan Brewer, who was the first U.S. postmaster, was moved from Perry Square and placed at the front of the post office, said Green.

According to Green, there were several funding forces behind the park's renovations, such as the governor's office, the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which contributed a grant, and City Community Development Block Grant funds.

Green says that phase one of the project included the park's renovations, along with the rehabilitation of the Mercantile Building at 14th and State Streets into 14 condominiums, two floors of office space and one floor of retail space.

Phase two will include townhouses and retail space located at 13th and Peach. The townhouses will be priced from $150,000 to $250,000; construction is set to begin before the end of the year, said Green.

"I think it will be something very different from what people in Erie have seen before. We are really excited about getting that project underway," she said.