Our History
In 1995, members of East Fallsβ civic and business organizations established the East Falls Development Corporation (EFDC) as a not for profit 501c3 entity dedicated to community based economic development for the benefit of East Falls. Spurred by a $50,000 grant from our then-State Rep, Rosita Youngblood, to renovate one of East Fallsβ historic buildings for community use, EFDCβs vision to revitalize the riverfront business district emerged.
Bathey House
Renovation of the long-vacant and rapidly deteriorating βBathey Houseβ – formerly the locker rooms for East Fallsβ public swimming pool (and now Boutique River Falls, following years as beloved neighborhood staple Trolley Car Cafe) – became the focus of EFDCβs work. However, early estimates revealed that an initial grant to support this work was barely enough to stabilize the building let alone adapt it for community use. EFDC was advised by project managers from our generous funder and partner, PAβs Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), that grants were more likely to be awarded with a community plan in place to inform future revitalization efforts. Hence, EFDC obtained approval to spend its original $50,000 grant to commission a 25-year Master Plan.
Riverfront Master Plan
The East Falls Riverfront Master Plan (1998) was based on input collected at several community βcharrettes,β or visioning sessions. That feedback provided three distinct scenarios for revitalizing our Commercial District, but there was no clear consensus as to which schemeβ¦Festival Market Place, Main Street, or Gold Coastβ¦ would best serve East Fallsβ diverse neighborhood. However, the final Plan provided a redevelopment strategy, laid out in six phases, with recommendations for a variety of community, City and public / private projects that could be implemented over time.