The Lewisburg Downtown Partnership (LDP) was formed in 1999 when the Borough of Lewisburg, Bucknell University, and the downtown business community began an effort to fill the 13 first-floor vacancies along Market Street, market downtown as a destination, and forge partnerships encouraging collaboration. In a small rural community like Lewisburg, where fewer people live in the county than in several city blocks, robust downtowns with enough foot traffic to support a shopping district are rare.
Since 2004, downtown has enjoyed a 2% vacancy rate and the spirit of collaboration that formed the LDP has broadened and strengthened, resulting in Lewisburg’s burgeoning vibrancy.
Maintaining a vibrant downtown with a low vacancy rate and well maintained infrastructure is an ongoing project that requires investment, resources, collaboration, and passion. The LDP is continually striving to take downtown Lewisburg to a new level of vibrancy, and the current strategic plan sets a road map to get there.
Recent LDP Accomplishments include:
The Market Street Flower Baskets
The Market Street Study, resulting in a $50,000 planning grant for pedestrian safety and way-finding signage
$100,000 Pennsylvania Council on the Arts grant to collaborate on public art at the Piers Art Park - examples include murals on the piers, and infrastructure coming very soon to enable music and other performances.
Multiple Events that grow each year (see below for a list of events)
Helping local businesses to navigate the pandemic with government assistance and guidelines (especially helping small businesses apply for PPP funding and getting those loans forgiven).
Our current strategic plan states:
Downtown Lewisburg will be the region’s core community for arts, entertainment, and dining,
Downtown Lewisburg will be the region’s premier college town.
The LDP will accomplish these goals by
Creating programming, special events, and public art.
Keeping downtown attractive clean, and visually appealing
Encouraging and supporting entrepreneurship
Maintaining and improving a safe, walkable, ridable, and navigable downtown
Promotions and advertising
Collaboration
Most of our funding comes from generous individuals and local businesses like you. The LDP also reaches out to large local organizations for Major Gifts, resulting in our Core Sponsorship level. The Campaign for Lewisburg is designed to secure $300,000 in multiyear commitments through 2025. These funds will cover general administrative costs, basic promotional needs, and assist with matching funds for grants obtained for special programs and projects.
Our Core Sponsors (major donors):
The Borough of Lewisburg
Bucknell University
Evangelical Community Hospital
Geisinger
Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau
Events organized by LDP:
Heart of Lewisburg Summer Craft Fair
Welcome to the Neighborhood - with Bucknell
Woolly Worm Prognostication and Fall Festival with UnPAved Pennsylvania
Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival
Market Street Mask-a-rade
Miracle on Market Street (events between Thanksgiving and Christmas)
Santa at the Campus Theatre
Other LDP Programs and projects we organize:
Flower Baskets
Historic (brown) street signs
Market Street landscaping including bump-outs to increase walkability
Outdoor seating - picnic tables
The Piers Art Park
Events we sponsor and/or promote:
The Arts Festival-Lewisburg Arts Council (LAC)
Sidewalk Chalk Festival-LAC
Susquehanna Valley Growers Market
Veterans Parade-Union County Veterans' 4th of July Committee
Music in the Park-LAC
Lewisburg Live, Variety Show - Campus Theatre and CommUnity Zone
Stroll Through the Arts - LAC
The Slow Roll-Lewisburg Neighborhoods
Victorian Fairy Garden Party
A Lewisburg Victorian Nutcracker
