Johnstown Master Plan
City of Johnstown , Cambria County, PA

The City of Johnstown has contracted KAIROS DESIGN GROUP, LLC, (KAIROS) to develop a Master Plan for the revitalization of the Downtown Central Business District and adjoining Kernville neighborhood. The 200+ page graphic and strategic implementation plan capitalizes on significant traffic flows, large open and under utilized parcels of land, scenic views, proximity to the Stony Creek and Little Conemaugh Rivers, and growing health and bio-science industries. The redevelopment strategy proposed by KAIROS includes a significant new entertainment district to replace a conglomeration of parking lots and scattered buildings in the downtown CBD, a bio-technology corridor and revitalized neighborhood restoration and connectedness via pedestrian trails, transit and vehicle nodes. The CBD mixed use stroll district of retail, entertainment, office and new residential uses will occupy this under utilized space between the Point Stadium and the expanded Festival Park across the Little Conemaugh River. The master plan focuses on HUD’s recognized “6 Livability Principles” and KAIROS’s work has moved into the plan implementation stage of the project. The projects geographic area encompasses more than 300 acres of land and is a 10 to 15 year project with costs estimated at $150,000,000.00

The City of Johnstown project exhibits the level of understanding needed to integrate urban and rural trail conditions into the fabric of a “Core Community”, provides more transportation choices for the local community, creates regional amenities and connections to neighborhoods, provides for equitable, affordable housing and enhances the economic competitiveness of the local community. The project also involves significant changes to the flood retaining walls and creation of river access and boat launch facilities to connect the river features to the land based trail network. The project demonstrates KAIROS’s ability to provide for and coordinate policies and leverage investment from both the private and public sectors and create energy for implementation.