Erie Mayor Joe Schember reviews the state of the city - 2024 wins, future plans | Opinion

As your mayor, I am proud to report that the city of Erie is strong. We continue to see massive transformational change, exciting growth, strategic investment, smart development, and community solidarity.

The year 2024 was special — highlighted by a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse; exciting visits from presidential candidates and an elusive alligator; a trip to the playoffs for our Erie Otters; a championship win for our Erie SeaWolves; and an historic lake effect snowstorm that reinforced the strength and resilience of our residents in our beautiful city by the bay.

When I first ran for mayor in 2017, I said it was going to take three terms to accomplish everything we wanted to do. We have accomplished a lot in these first seven years, but there is much more that we need to complete.

Everything my team and I do is focused on our mission and vision.

Our mission is to:

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• Build opportunity.
• Restore hope.
• Transform Erie.

Our vision is that Erie is a community of choice. We celebrate our:

• Rich cultural diversity;
• Welcoming, vibrant neighborhoods;
• World-class downtown and bayfront;
• Abundance of family-sustaining jobs;
• Excellent education for everyone.

The year 2024 was marked by significant progress, from economic growth and community development to improved public safety and neighborhood revitalization. Now, I will highlight some of my team's major accomplishments in 2024.

Financial responsibility: ensuring long-term sustainability

When I took office in 2018, and we prepared the first five-year budget, the city's 2024 structural deficit was projected to be $24 million. Since then, we have made significant progress in addressing Erie's long-term debt, structural deficit, and pension issues. I am happy to report that thanks to changes that we made, the city's general fund went from a projected $24 million deficit to a net surplus of $1.4 million. And we have done this without raising city taxes in six years while continuing to provide crucial city services. In addition, thanks to cost-cutting measures by staff, this success was mirrored with surpluses in the sewer fund at $1.1 million; refuse at $700,000; and golf at $83,000.

Economic and community development: building a stronger Erie

Erie's economy is growing. We've significantly increased the city's revolving loan funds from $6.25 million in 2018 to $25 million today. In 2024 alone, we provided $3.65 million in crucial financing for businesses that prompted over $21.86 million in total private sector investment and created or retained 238 local jobs. We are also expanding access to capital for minority-owned businesses through our Small Business Diversity Fund, which we created using American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to foster greater economic inclusion. Since 2018, we have awarded $345,000 in Flagship Fund micro-grants to 140 small businesses, sparking over $1 million in small business investment. Funded through innovative and sustainable means, our micro-grants are ensuring a long-term impact.

The Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance Program (LERTA) continues to incentivize investment in both commercial and residential properties. Since July 2019, we have received a total of 640 LERTA permit applications with a total projected investment of $373.4 million that will revitalize neighborhoods across the city. These figures include 425 residential permits that total $55 million in investment and 215 commercial permits of $318.4 million.

To benefit Erie's residents and ensure that Erie receives the resources it needs to thrive, we are committed to working hard in collaboration with our state and federal delegations to continue our record of success that brought back grants of more than $30 million in 2024 and $120 million total since 2018. We have aggressively pursued and secured substantial grants from President Joe Biden's Administration with the help of Congressman Mike Kelly, former U.S. Senator Bob Casey, and U.S. Senator John Fetterman, as well as Governor Shapiro's Administration with the help of our state Representatives Bob Merski, Pat Harkins, and Ryan Bizzarro, and state Senator Dan Laughlin. This funding is being used to enhance the lives of city residents, maintain infrastructure, improve public safety, support community programs, revitalize our neighborhoods, and drive economic development initiatives.

Specifically, these grant funds are covering the cost of much-needed equipment and technology, capital improvement projects, watershed restoration, stormwater runoff, street reconstruction, bikeways, sidewalks, street signals, recycling and composting projects, electronic garbage trucks, and economic development initiatives. The grants fund items such as bulletproof vests, motorcycles, e-bikes, police vehicles, body-worn cameras, license plate readers, a real-time crime center, SWAT regional command and response vehicles, a crisis communications van, traffic investigation vehicles, police salaries and overtime, DNA-testing kits, drug and alcohol prevention, auto theft and cold case detectives, an insurance fraud detective, the Police Athletic League, the Community Oriented Policing (COP) initiative, bomb squad equipment, virtual reality training, driver simulation technology, a K-9 Unit, and crisis teams. The funds will also help us with conducting energy-efficiency audits, purchasing fire trucks and code enforcement vehicles, investing in small-home repair projects, and engaging in planning.

In addition, through cooperation with our federal delegation, in 2024, the city of Erie successfully pursued and received Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) of $1 million for blighted property acquisition and remediation; $1.25 million for the Wastewater Treatment Plant chlorination project; $373,000 for a SWAT regional response vehicle; and $492,000 for technology and equipment for the Erie Police Department. Since its reinstitution in 2021, the CDS program has been successfully used by the city and our federal representatives to fund projects as diverse as the EMI project and the Love Your Block program.

And, thanks to Governor Shapiro, state Representatives Merski, Harkins and Bizzarro, and state Senator Dan Laughlin, the City Revitalization and Improvement Zone (CRIZ) was approved and will eventually bring millions of dollars in sustainable funding for economic development back to the city every year for 30 years.

More:CRIZ approval expected to create a $15 million annual windfall for development in Erie

Investing in our neighborhoods

While we are focused on economic growth, we are also investing directly in our neighborhoods. The city of Erie Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) was hard at work in 2024, disbursing $2.9 million in Community Development Block Grants, $764,000 via HOME Investment Partnership Grants, and $267,000 via Emergency Solutions Grants for shelters, transitional living facilities, and rapid re-housing.

This included nearly $730,000 for after-school programs, summer recreation, the Police Athletic League, youth, re-entry services, drug and alcohol and housing programs and another $696,000 for economic development initiatives including small business assistance and renovations to the Renaissance Center, 1001 State St.

Investments in public facility improvements included $25,000 for park/playground improvements, $20,000 for tree removal/replacement, $482,000 for handicapped curb cuts, $991,000 for street reconstruction, $1.1 million for downtown streetscapes, $376,000 for homeowner housing rehabilitation, $201,000 for first-time homebuyers, and $286,000 for rehabilitation of affordable rental housing.

The city deployed a $100,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency to assist 26 homeowners with repairs, including garage roofs, siding, rotten trees, sidewalks, bathroom modifications, gutters, leaking basement windows, new furnaces, and electrical issues. DECD has secured another $100,000 to continue the mini-grant program which will award grants of up to $4,000 per household.

The Love Your Block initiative continues to empower residents and volunteers to address blight and make small home repairs. This program has made a tangible difference in neighborhoods, improving property values and instilling a sense of community pride. All totaled, Love Your Block staff and volunteers have removed 180,000 pounds of trash and debris, completed 184 projects and 288 repairs, installed 389 new features and 66 landscaping projects, and saved residents more than $183,000 in labor costs. Volunteers also completed many community clean-ups and beautification projects. A recent Neighborhood Assistance Program grant from the commonwealth will enable us to expand to the Central City, Snoops, and Buffalo Road neighborhoods. And we are now in the process of receiving $1 million in federal funding to continue to expand this transformational initiative.

DECD is reviewing proposals in January 2025 for HOME-ARP funding in the amount of $2.9 million to build permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness. We are excited about the public-private partnership to address homelessness in our city through an initiative called Housing First Erie. As a branch of Infinite Erie, Housing First Erie partners include the Erie Community Foundation, Hamot Health Foundation, Erie County, city of Erie, Housing Authority of the City of Erie, Erie Home Team, Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network, Erie County Care Management, Housing and Neighborhood Development Services (H.A.N.D.S.), and Gannon University. The goal is to provide a home to the estimated 150 individuals who experience chronic homelessness in Erie and provide the necessary care and mental/behavioral health services to keep them permanently housed.

The 12th Street Reimagined plan and the Safe Streets and Roads for All planning initiative are addressing key transportation and safety concerns, aiming to create safer, more functional corridors and reduce traffic fatalities.

The Active Erie Transportation Plan is creating a network of pedestrian and bicycle-friendly streets, recognizing that improved walkability and bike routes positively impact local economies and residents' quality of life.

The East Bayfront Greenway Trail project is transforming blighted properties into public green spaces, trails, and pocket parks, enhancing the East Bayfront neighborhood and creating a valuable asset that fosters community connection.

We also completed the city's first-ever Historic Preservation Plan, which was given an award from the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association as a shining example of good historic planning.

This year, we will begin developing a comprehensive parks, recreation, and open spaces plan for all city-owned parks. This plan will include recommendations for improvements to our 45 parks and green spaces and identify potential funding programs to implement the plan. I am looking forward to hearing from residents about their priorities for our parks.

Working in collaboration with the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie, we designated 40 blighted properties, acquired and demolished dozens more, rescinded 26 blight designations as properties were rehabilitated, provided neighborhood organizations with $931,000 to rehab 14 affordable housing units, awarded 140 applicants $2.3 million in healthy homes grants, and provided 45 property owners $500,000 in historic preservation grants. Together, using ARP funding, we are working to increase affordable housing, improve our housing stock, and revitalize neighborhoods.

Improving public safety: a safer Erie for all

Overall crime is down in Erie, a testament to the effectiveness of our dedicated police officers, strategic community policing, specialized units, state-of-the-art equipment and technology, and community-based crime reduction programs. We have seen significant decreases in homicides and shootings, as well as reductions in assaults, robberies, and property crimes.

Homicides declined by 57% between 2023 and 2024 from 14 to 6. Thanks to the diligence of our detectives, camera footage, and community cooperation, in the last three years, the Erie Police Department has had a 100% clearance rate for homicides, solving all 27 cases. In addition, "confirmed" shots-fired incidents decreased by 67% between 2021 and 2024, while the number of people shot fell by 75%.

The Erie Police Department is deploying advanced technology and implementing innovative initiatives to enhance crime prevention and response, including:

• Deploying body-worn cameras, license plate readers, and ShotSpotter gunshot detection system;
• Implementing the U.S. Department of Justice's Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant community-based crime reduction strategy;
• Reinstating the crisis car and the crisis team co-responders;
• Reinstating the Juvenile Unit;
• Dedicating an auto theft detective, a cold case detective, and an insurance fraud detective;
• Hiring a civilian intel analyst;
• Growing the Police Athletic League and Community Oriented Policing (COP) initiatives from 35 students in one school with six officers to more than 1,700 students in 28 locations with 120 officers;
• Increasing the number of certified bicycle cops from two to 35.

Last year, the city of Erie Police Department responded to 61,656 calls for service — over 2,000 more than the previous year. That works out to an average of 168 calls per day. The department has 194 officers and thanks to ARP funding, a $3.1 million COPS Hiring Program grant, and $1.2 million in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, we will be able to maintain our current complement of officers through at least 2028, which is vital to protecting and serving our residents.

In 2024, the Erie Fire Department (EFD) responded to over 9,000 calls for service (that's a 2% increase from last year), including 472 fires, 59 structure fires, 603 motor vehicle accidents, and 53 pedestrians struck. They also responded to 5,108 medical calls, conducted 2,523 investigations, addressed 63 incidents of carbon monoxide and 93 gas leaks, made 11 water rescues and 43 other complex technical, trench, high-angle, or elevator rescues.

To support them in their mission to protect Erie residents, we recently secured grant funding to acquire essential equipment which has enhanced the capabilities of the fire department to respond to calls for service, including thermal imaging cameras and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), $500,000 for a new rescue pumper truck, $143,000 for a new dive truck, and $150,000 to install energy-efficient windows and doors at three fire stations.

Building a more inclusive Erie

Diversity is one of Erie's greatest strengths. We are actively working to advance equity and foster a welcoming and inclusive community. In 2024, the total number of legal immigrants and refugees relocating to Erie was more than 1,300 not including Cubans, Haitians, and Ukrainians. The arrival of new cultures enriches our community through their food, music, dance, art, and culture. Refugees and immigrants have had to flee their countries and have arrived, often with little more than the clothes on their backs. Through their hard work ethic, they have become self-sufficient naturalized citizens, filled vacant job openings, helped revitalize neighborhoods, opened businesses, and expanded Erie's tax base. Their insights and perspectives bring a richness to our view of the world, and their contributions to our community make our city even stronger.

More:Trump refugee resettlement pause order causes 'distress, hardship' for some Erie Afghans

I'm especially proud to be the first mayor in Erie history to attend every naturalization ceremony to welcome our new neighbors. Last year, we celebrated over 330 new U.S. citizens at those ceremonies, which make me feel closer to my Sicilian and Irish grandparents.

Relations between the city of Erie and its BIPOC, immigrants, refugees, and New American communities were enhanced in 2024 with the addition of Immigrant and Refugee Liaison Saeed Taraky and Community Liaison Daryl Craig (affectionately known as "Brother D"). They are helping to ensure equitable access to services and resources, getting the word out about opportunities, and providing me with valuable feedback.

As a certified Welcoming City, we work closely with the mayor's New American Council to assist new arrivals with getting settled. I am proud that the Afghan Community Center was the first center of its kind in Pennsylvania; we welcomed the First Syrian Cultural Center; and we helped the Hispanic Latine Advisory Council and the Erie Latino Leadership Association plan and implement the second annual Fiesta on the Square. We also partnered with Erie Downtown Partnership, Erie Arts and Culture, and the resettlement agencies, to organize an International Refugee Day celebration in Perry Square.

In collaboration with the city of Erie's Office of Development Services, we organized the first Business Cohort for New American, BIPOC, and minority business owners to connect entrepreneurs with government agencies and resources and help them open or expand their businesses. In partnership with the Mayor's Business Council and local manufacturing companies, we are working to connect skilled New Americans with viable employment opportunities so that they can become self-sufficient as soon as possible, supporting their families, building a new life, and giving back to the community.

Brother D is working to strengthen police and community partnerships with a focus on increasing safety and reducing gun violence and youth violence. We are adding new members to the Strengthening Police Community Partnerships Council and intend to interact with middle school students and restart the "Mayor for a Day" program before the end of the school year.

Thanks to Saeed, Brother D, our Love Your Block team, our communications team, and the Citizen Response Center, community engagement and outreach has increased immensely through increased information-sharing, and grassroots collaborations with community centers, neighborhood organizations, community school directors, and the Blue Coats. We have been able to resolve issues and communicate information about city projects and initiatives in a much more effective manner.

Finally, Erie was one of 130 cities to have earned a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index. This is the third year Erie has been recognized for our inclusive laws, policies, and services for the LGBTQ+ community, and I am proud to have attended every Pride celebration as mayor.

Investing in our infrastructure

The Erie Department of Public Works affects the daily lives of all city residents. This department oversees engineering, streets, parks, building maintenance, the municipal garage, special events, the wastewater treatment plant, sewer collections, refuse, recycling, golf, and stormwater. We are committed to maintaining and improving Erie's infrastructure. Projects like the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan and the Kahkwa Boulevard bridge replacement are enhancing key corridors and ensuring safe and efficient transportation.

We are investing in sewer system improvements, street resurfacing, and park and green space maintenance to enhance the city's functionality and residents' quality of life.

Recycling and composting programs are promoting environmental sustainability, and improvements to the compost site will enhance these efforts.

We are also investing in traffic signals, crosswalk signs, and stormwater management to improve safety and mitigate flood risks.

Specifically, in 2024, Public Works:

• Awarded a contract for the next phase of the Downtown Streetscape (2nd to 4th Streets) in the amount of $1.1 million;
• Administered two curb ramp contracts utilizing both ARP funding ($129,000) and CDBG funding ($343,000);
• Secured additional funding and broke ground on the $2.4 million Kahkwa Boulevard bridge replacement project;
• Used $1.2 million in ARP funding to successfully re-line 4,800 feet of deteriorated sewer pipe and replace two aging sewer pump stations;
• Received a $750,000 Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) Local Share Account (LSA) Grant for the West 8th Street roadway reconstruction;
• Received a $200,000 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) 902 Recycling Grant for a new high-lift for the city's compost site;
• Resurfaced streets in the amount of $2.5 million;
• Maintained the city’s 45 parks and green spaces;
• Installed new playground equipment and fencing at Ruby Schaaf Park at a cost of $27,000;
• Implemented the Summer Recreation Program, including Footlights Theater Center, YMCA, and Spoons Summer Basketball League;
• Administered two tree and stump removal contracts using both ARP funding ($60,000) and Shade Tree funding ($50,000);
• Collected 31 tons of tires and 34 tons of electronics;
• Operated both the compost program and the large item collection program;
• Collected 95 tons of glass that would have been thrown away as trash without the city's partnership with Prism recycling;
• Purchased and distributed 5,000 35-gallon recycling totes to residents for use in our curbside recycling program, thanks to a collaboration between the city of Erie and Erie County, made possible through a recycling grant from the DEP;
• Installed accessible pedestrian signals push-buttons and controllers through a $393,000 PennDOT grant;
• Continued work on the Downtown Erie Active Transportation Project thanks to PennDOT funding of $424,000;
• Partnered with Lowe's Home Improvement for a special ribbon-cutting of a Rainbow Bridge at Larry R. Fabrizi Dog Park at McClelland Park;
• Administered the stormwater fee, collecting $1.4 million to make improvements to our aging infrastructure;
• Purchased a new combination sewer vacuum truck ($650,000) to clean and maintain our sanitary and stormwater sewer systems;
• Used a $360,000 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant to install a new litter trap on Garrison Run at the Erie Wastewater Treatment Plant;
• Executed a new maintenance agreement with Millcreek Township to use the city's municipal garage;
• Received $2.7 million from the Pennsylvania Liquid Fuels fund to maintain streetlights, traffic signals, and crosswalk signs and purchase Public Works equipment;
• Invested in and operated Downing and J. C. Martin Golf Courses at a profit;
• Received the Tree City USA designation for the 18th year in a row, thanks to the work of the Urban Forest Committee and the city's commitment to plant, trim, and nurture our urban trees.

Cultures, arts, festivals and events of Erie (CAFE)

CAFE's mission is to bring the city's vision to life through fun, engaging events that celebrate our diverse cultures and welcoming, vibrant neighborhoods. Thanks to the CAFE Board and volunteers, and in partnership with the Erie Police Department, the Erie Fire Department, and the Public Works Department, residents and visitors were treated to 16 days of free events. These include:

• Lights Over Lake Erie, which provided a spectacular 15-minute fireworks display on July 3rd at the Bicentennial Tower on Dobbins Landing, with many viewing locations around the city and an estimated 25,000 spectators.
• 814 Concert Series, an annual six-week summer concert series, which returned for its third year, bringing local bands directly to residents in six city parks throughout the urban core. In 2024, each 814 Concert celebrated the city of Erie's Love Your Block initiative completing neighborhood cleanups in the area surrounding each week's concert location.
• Sounds of Summer, the annual six-week summer concert series, bringing local bands to senior living communities throughout the city of Erie.
• CelebrateErie, which is the culmination of the city of Erie's event calendar, welcomes 150,000 to 200,000 visitors to downtown Erie each year for a three-day celebration of Erie's local art, culture, music, business, and food. In 2024, the event featured national acts Wheatus, Jimmy Eat World, and Gabby Barrett; 65 local performances across four CelebrateErie stages, including the main stage, Perry Square stage, family stage, and living room stage; a diverse range of 58 local business and food vendors in our marketplace and food district; and nearly 30 chalk walk murals completed by local artists and sponsored by local businesses and organizations.

Collaboration

City of Erie government departments work together and with community partners to ensure the safety, security, and best experience possible for both residents and visitors alike. A good example of this collaboration was the work between the Erie Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, VisitErie, Pennsylvania State Police, PennDOT, surrounding municipalities, and other community partners to keep the public safe during presidential candidate visits and the total solar eclipse.

In an age when public safety is at risk during large-scale events, our city avoided any incidents and created a welcoming environment for all those who participated. The 18-month planning effort between the city, VisitErie, and other organizations to help prepare for the historic total solar eclipse attracted over 100,000 visitors from around the world who safely witnessed an impressive stellar show. They had a chance to see firsthand the beauty and friendliness for which our city is known. And while here, visitors contributed $3 million to the local economy, and many told me they plan to return.

My team and I have been busy implementing a record number of programs, projects, and initiatives. This was all made possible by the 700 city employees who are committed to going above and beyond day-in and day-out, working together to build a better Erie in service to Erie residents and business owners. I cannot say enough about the dedication, commitment, and passion of my incredible team.

Looking to the Future

Erie is a city on the rise. We have made significant progress in 2024, and we are committed to continuing this momentum. By working together, we can build a stronger, safer, more inclusive, and more prosperous Erie for all residents. It is my honor to serve you. To keep this momentum going strong, I will be running for my third and final term as mayor. We have many impactful projects underway that we are committed to completing to sustain the positive growth and transformation of the city of Erie. Some of the things that we are currently engaged in that we will be working to continue and finalize over the course of the next five years include efforts to:

• Increase affordable, workforce, market-rate, and permanent supportive housing;
• Increase home ownership;
• Expand Love Your Block;
• Increase housing rehabilitation projects and eliminate blight;
• Increase public safety;
• Further reduce the structural deficit;
• Support small businesses and entrepreneurs through grants, low-interest loans, and guidance;
• Finish implementation of the Downtown Streetscape Master Plan and the Active Erie Transportation Plan;
• Expend the remaining ARP funding into the projects for which they have already been allocated;
• Renovate Miller Bros. into a public safety complex;
• Work with PennDOT on completing the Bayfront Parkway Central Corridor Project;
• Reinstate the K-9 Unit;
• Continue to replace fire apparatus, improve the fire houses, and acquire vital lifesaving technology and equipment for both police and fire;
• Pursue the election of a Home Rule Charter Study Commission;
• Develop and implement several plans including a five-year financial management plan; local Climate Action Plan; a Safe Streets and Roads for All plan to reduce crashes/fatalities; a comprehensive city-wide parks, recreation, and open spaces plan; the 12th Street Reimagined plan; an Aging Plan; a comprehensive housing strategy; and the East Bayfront Greenway Trail;
• Renew our certified Welcoming City status;
• Implement GIS city-wide.

My team and I are passionate about seeing these projects through to completion for the benefit of all city of Erie residents. Our city has become a model of positive change that only occurs when we work together with compassion and foresight. The trust and confidence you have placed in me and my team are both humbling and inspiring. It is through this partnership with each of you that we can collectively strive toward success, and for that, I am truly grateful. Thank you for your continued support and love for Erie.

Joe Schember is the mayor of Erie.