The Redevelopment Authority began clearing vacant and blighted properties within the 600 Block of Kernville in efforts to promote the renewal and revitalization of Kernville. By removing the eyesores that can often discourage development, the Authority has been able to attract new developments into the Kernville section of the City.

The Redevelopment Authority works with City officials to acquire, demolish, and attract business to the neighborhood. Utilizing federal CDBG funds, as well as monies from previous sales, the partners are pushing forward the revitalization of Kernville.

Kernville Redevelopment Plaza projects include:

• The Greater Johnstown Water Authority Complex project has served as the spark of revitalization for the 600 Block of Kernville. Developed on twelve formerly blighted parcels, the new complex was the first development to invest in the Kernville neighborhood.

• The Gella Professional Building was built upon a lot formerly comprised of six blighted properties. This new development represents the first new private business to relocate to Kernville. Groundbreaking took place in October 2005. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and U.S. Representative John Murtha joined the Gellas as they celebrated the facility’s opening in April 2006.

• Kernville Arts District has been specially zoned so that interested artists can live, work, teach, and conduct retail sales from their homes. The City has designed an attractive program with great financial incentives for qualifying artists from all over the country who relocate to Kernville. With many vacant structures available for rehabilitation, the Kernville neighborhood is ripe for redevelopment as an arts district.

• The ITSI Bioscience Science and Technology Center: Kernville has recently been eyed as a biotechnology hub for the Johnstown area. With the development of the Greater Johnstown Regional Technology Park within the Kernville neighborhood and just two blocks from the 600 Block Redevelopment Plaza, biotechnology companies are showing interest. The Authority has secured a location in the 600 block for ITSI Bioscience Science and Technology Innovation Center, a leading developer of ready-to-use kits for biomedical research.
• The Kernville Community Garden was transformed from a formerly blighted parcel into a community project that allows Kernville residents to take pride in their neighborhood. This garden was made possible through the collaboration of the Redevelopment Authority with ACRP and their many project partners.

The Authority is continuously acquiring properties and working toward blight removal – and in doing so creating marketable space for economic development in Kernville. For more information regarding available property in Kernville, please contact the Redevelopment Authority.