Chatham students present proposal for future of Mars borough
MARS — A group of eight graduate students from the Falk School of Sustainability & Environment at Pittsburgh’s Chatham University, along with professor Miron Avidan, came to a borough council meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, to present their vision for the future of the borough.
The presentation was part of a project for Avidan’s fall semester Leadership for Transitions to Sustainability class to produce a five-year municipal strategic plan.
Monday night’s presentation, led by Holly Tyson and Sarah Warner, was the latest chapter in a collaboration between the borough and Chatham which began in 2018.
In prior years, Chatham classes have delivered presentations geared toward addressing issues such as stormwater management and developing the business district.
“As you know, Mars lacks a formal strategic plan, which has been a barrier to securing critical state and federal funding for infrastructure and revitalization projects,” Tyson said.
The class boiled its strategic plan to three focus areas: stormwater management, infrastructure improvements and downtown revitalization.
Ideas for infrastructure improvements include upgrading Main Street, creating a bike network and pedestrian-friendly zones, and repurposing excess parking for community use. Ideas for downtown revitalization include launching green infrastructure projects and organizing community events to boost local involvement.
Warner and Tyson repeatedly mentioned Mars’ planned new library and Discovery Center as an engine for growth. The new library has been proposed to be built on the site of the former Mars Bank, across from the spaceship in the borough square.
“It’s really going to transform the footprint of downtown,” Warner said. “Think ahead to how that Discovery Center is going to transform the downtown area so you are well-prepared when it opens its doors.”
As part of developing its strategic plan for Mars, the class conducted numerous interviews with Mars residents between August and November. These included Mayor Gregg Hartung, police chief Mark Lint, borough secretary/treasurer Bonnie Forsythe, and former Chatham professor Tom Macagno, who spearheaded the Mars/Chatham partnership.
The class also conducted an analysis to determine the borough’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Some of the threats included encroachment from neighboring areas, an inability to expand in a landlocked and enclosed space, rising operating costs, and increasing car traffic.
When asked what the biggest challenge was for Mars to fulfilling the class’s vision, Tyson said it would be making sure Mars distinguished itself as a small town.
“You want to maintain the uniqueness of Mars,” Tyson said. “You have to state what are your values and be pretty clear with people what they are. I would say just maintain the uniqueness of Mars and do that strategically, which is something I think you’re already doing really well.”
