There is finally some good news for the folks involved in the revitalization of a Parade Street neighborhood!

After a few weeks of silence from owners, and not a few rumors of it’s demise, an important meeting of the East Erie Turners management and membership last evening gave plenty of hope for the future of the establishment.  Members have volunteered to handle some of the club’s duties in an effort to help with expenses.

John Elliot, head of the Erie Redevelopment Authority, attended the meeting and assured those present that the $50,000 grant to update the Parade Street facade along with other improvements, is still available.  He also stated that the building would be included in the street-scape improvements program, which will be put out for bids shortly.

This is all great news for the building which will be one of the main elements in the revitalization process, along with Kraus’ Department Store, Denny’s complex on Tenth and Parade, Erie Antiques, Latinos’, Nickle Plate Mills, and some new businesses that are slated for the Thirteenth Street area.

Hopefully, the revitalization of Parade Street will spread out to include the upgrading and replacement of some of the dilapidated homes in the area, resulting in more owner-occupied dwellings, and a general feeling of pride may be restored.

Turners co-owner and manager Dave Stevens , who also heads up the Dave Stevens Big Band, is a bright, dedicated, product of Erie.  He is typical of the young people we need to keep here in our town.  The Big Band, by the way, is the house band at the Turners, as well as a mainstay of great music here in Erie, and has played Chautauqua Institution for many years, most recently at the annual Amphitheater Ball.