The Historic Downtown Erie Revival: Where Heritage Meets New Horizons
A wave of public investment and thoughtful private development is reshaping Erie’s downtown while honoring its roots.
From the hum of summer ice cream lines to the laughter of winter ice skating, Historic Downtown Erie has a timeless energy that draws residents year-round. Beneath the small-town charm and bustling sidewalks lining historic buildings, a wave of public and private investment is reshaping the district’s future. As the Town invests in infrastructure, local businesses breathe new life into storefronts and unoccupied land.
On summer Thursday evenings, the Erie Farmers Market brings a vibrant community together in Historic Downtown. This year, a new pedestrian bridge has made it easier for everyone – from cyclists to stroller-pushing parents – to cross from the Colliers Hill neighborhood into downtown, creating stronger connections across the community. After crossing into Coal Creek Park, visitors can take a stroll down newly revitalized Briggs Street, where new infrastructure, improved landscaping and better ADA accessibility support a more accessible and inviting downtown. The popular patio parklets program means you can sample local fare without missing the action, and with alleyway paving on the horizon, the improvements show no sign of slowing down.
Historic Downtown Erie Then and Now
Private investment is building alongside these public improvements. Cellar West Brewery recently opened its second location in a 100-year-old house on Briggs Street, perfect for enjoying a pint and sandwich from Weedhart Pies in the shaded beer garden. Nearby, Little Grove – a locally owned children’s play center and coffee bar– is under construction, adding another family-oriented destination downtown. Along Kattell Street, renovation is also underway for Johnny Bechamel’s, a new family-style Italian restaurant, transforming another long-vacant downtown property.
Cellar West Brewery Ribbon Cutting
TOEURA has been busy supporting Historic Downtown, with big things around the corner for two key URA-owned lots. Preferred developers, both well-established business owners in the district, have been selected to bring even more commercial activity downtown. Adjacent to Coal Creek Park, a new 10,000 square foot mixed-use development, currently in site plan review, is set to take shape at the corner of Wells and Kattell Street. The 1.5-story building will feature a full-service restaurant, a local homemade ice cream shop, a bakery, and two small retail spaces.
At the corner of Briggs Street and Maxwell Avenue, an anticipated 13,000 square foot development will serve as the gateway into the neighborhood. This project will bring a new restaurant with outdoor space for events and family-oriented gatherings and provide adequate room for a local downtown business to expand.
At the end of the day, it’s the blend of nostalgia and new growth that makes Historic Downtown Erie so special. Through public infrastructure improvements and thoughtful private development, Erie’s downtown is well-positioned to preserve its past and continue to thrive as the historic heart of town.
