Lock Haven has first new comprehensive plan in 15 years

LOCK HAVEN, PA – A year and a half in the making, Lock Haven’s new comprehensive plan, Destination Lock Haven, has received city council approval.

The unanimous council approval came Monday night after a final public hearing on the document designed to improve the quality of life for city residents, those who work in Lock Haven and those who visit.

The 10-year plan was a creation of City Planner Abbey Roberts in conjunction with Barbara Hauge from Upstreet Architects and Mark Lazzari from the EADS Group. Participants and city officials alike lauded the document and noted the cooperation received from Clinton County government and the Keystone Central School District; the outside consultants such cooperation is not always the case.

The document has 18 priority goals with 60 action strategies for future consideration. Hauge told participants in the online meeting that Destination Lock Haven was appropriately named, as she said, “the perfect way to summarize the Lock Haven experience with its characteristics and the assets that are here.”

Planner Roberts thanked council and others for their support. “It’s easy to listen when everyone comes out and participates so they really made the plan the community’s.” She added, “I’m very happy with the results.”

There are five action strategies within the plan: housing, business, service providers, recreation and sustainable community. Lazzari termed them, “real, to the point and understandable overall action strategies.” The plan includes direction on how to implement the strategies.