The third of four community collaboration meetings for Allentown residents to engage in Allentown Vision 2030, the update to the city’s comprehensive plan, will be held on Tuesday, June 18 from 6:00-8:00pm at the JCC of the Lehigh Valley in the city’s West End.

Allentown Vision 2030 – Your City, Your Voice! will be the city’s new Comprehensive and Economic Development Plan that will chart a path for inclusive, equitable growth over the next 10 years. The plan will address the topics of housing, workforce development, economic opportunity, social equity, environment and conservation, community development, transportation, land use, historic preservation, open space, and a range of other areas that affect the quality of life and vibrancy of the city of Allentown.

Allentown Vision 2030 has held two community collaboration meetings thus far. The first meeting in November 2018 focused on understanding Allentown today and identifying community values for the city’s future.

The second community collaboration meeting held in February built upon the community values for Allentown and presented possible visions and scenarios for how the city could grow and change over the next 10 years.

The third Allentown Vision 2030 community collaboration meeting will discuss the actions that will serve as the underpinning for the city’s 10-year comprehensive and economic development plan.

“Our third community collaboration meeting looks at the steps needed to make Allentown Vision 2030 a reality,” said Mayor Ray O’Connell. “We invite the Allentown community to this important meeting to share their priorities for future development in our city.”

The June 18 Community Collaboration Meeting is an opportunity to discuss, evaluate and rank key actions for Allentown Vision 2030. The meeting will gather input from the Allentown community to create the implementation framework for Allentown Vision 2030.

Allentown Department of Community and Economic Development Director Leonard Lightner said, “We have seen robust community participation in our prior community meetings. And as the community speaks, we are listening. This meeting is just as important as the previous meetings as we formalize the shared vision and set of actions to implement this plan. We want to make sure that Allentown is inclusive, equitable, and provides opportunities for all.”

Community engagement and empowerment is the highest priority for Allentown Vision 2030. The Bureau of Planning & Zoning wants to hear from and engage with all residents across the city. Please visit the Allentown Vision 2030 Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube pages to learn more about the plan. Be sure to RSVP for the June 18 Community Collaboration meeting at www.AllentownVision2030.org.

The city has engaged the consultant teams of Fourth Economy, evolveEA and Faces International in an innovative approach to create a plan that reflects the community’s priorities and provides a clear and achievable implementation strategy.

The event is child-friendly and light refreshments will be provided. The JCC of the Lehigh Valley is located at 702 N 22nd Street. Doors will open at 5:15pm and the meeting will start promptly at 6:00pm.

Allentown Vision 2030 – Your City, Your Voice! is expected to be completed by December 2019.

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