PennTAP is partnering with Infinite Erie on an ARC POWER grant to help bring bold, community-led projects to life across the Erie region. These efforts are guided by Infinite Erie’s “Investment Playbook,” a roadmap for inclusive and long-term growth. As part of this work, PennTAP is leading the Sustainability Advisory Team (SAT)—a group of experts from local universities, nonprofits, grassroots organizations, and government agencies—who ensure that each project is rooted in environmental and social responsibility.
One key project in the playbook is the transformation of the former Burton Elementary School on Buffalo Road. Now owned by the Urban Erie Community Development Corporation (UECDC), the building is being reimagined as a vibrant community hub offering workforce training, childcare, health programs, and educational support—particularly for women and children in the surrounding neighborhood.
An important focus area for the SAT is creating opportunities for students to participate in real-world sustainability projects. PennTAP plays a vital role in making these connections by linking community needs with university expertise. In Spring 2025, more than 30 architecture and landscape architecture students from Penn State’s Hamer Center for Community Design will develop revitalization proposals for the school and its surrounding neighborhood—bringing fresh ideas and energy to the community’s vision for the future.
Earlier this year, students and faculty traveled to Erie to tour the building, meet with residents, and gather input. These visits included a community potluck and workshop hosted by UECDC, where neighbors shared their hopes for the area. Students also surveyed the site to better understand how it could be redesigned to reflect local values and priorities.
By bringing people together and keeping sustainability at the forefront, PennTAP is helping shape a more inclusive and resilient future for Erie. Final student proposals will be presented to UECDC and community partners in both Erie and at Penn State’s University Park campus in April 2025.
Funding for this project was provided by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) POWER Initiative.