Downtowns are his business. And Bill Fontana, executive director of the Pennsylvania Downtown Center, really likes what he sees happening in Warren.
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"I wouldn't be surprised if Warren became a model that could be transferred to other downtowns in Pennsylvania," said Fontana.

The impressive part of "Impact Warren," the $50 million downtown and riverfront revitalization effort, said Fontana, "is the focusing of resources."

"This kind of focusing of resources is something that is growing stronger in Harrisburg," said Fontana. "For too long they have sprinkled money here and sprinkled money there without a great deal of impact."

Fontana is not surprised Gov. Ed Rendell has taken a personal interest in "Impact Warren" and has managed to provide millions of dollars in state funding for the project.

"When the forces line up and some sort of development opportunities present themselves," said Fontana, "I think this administration wants to bring as many resources to bear as possible."

Changing the atmosphere of downtown Warren will not in itself help retain and attract people to the community, said Fontana, but it is "part of the package and a move in the direction of offering the kind of community people want."

Restoring vitality to downtowns is all about lifestyles, said Fontana.

"What people are looking for in a downtown is an integration of living, retail, entertainment, recreation and dining space," said Fontana.

For too long, said Fontana, "Part of the problem with communities has been an enormous desire to segregate land uses."

Typically, communities "have had big tracts for retail use, tracts for residential, industrial, recreation. Everything is so segregated and all it does is increase the dependance on the automobile. Work, life and recreation are all interlated and people want a lifestyle that reflects that."

In Warren, said Fontana, "I think they are doing the right thing - putting the emphasis on downtown living and getting away from the mantra that downtown isn't what it used to be. It needs to evolve into something new."

Having a downtown which can offer all the elements of that well-rounded, convenient lifestyle, said Fontana, "certainly helps the equation."

"Reasonable jobs" are the other key component of the equation. "But educated people go where lifestyle preferences are being met and they're confident in their ability to get a job once they get there," said Fontana.

Fontana, who has come to Warren to look at the "Impact Warren" concept first-hand, said Warren is more fortunate than most communities in that the proximity of the Allegheny National Forest and Allegheny River offer "a recreation abundance," which would be envied by most communities.

"But it can't just be outdoor recreation, it has to be the full package," said Fontana.

From what he saw during his visit to Warren, Fontana said it appears that Main Street Warren manager Leanne Tingay is accomplishing a great deal to assure the downtown sheds the perception that "nothing is going on."

Warren is certainly not alone as a downtown on the rebound, said Fontana.

"I think the gist of the story is we're seeing progress being made statewide," said Fontana. "Governor Rendell has put an emphasis on core community revitalization and in the next five to ten years we're going to make substanative changes."

Focus of available resources for maximum impact will be the key for all downtowns, said Fontana.

"I think now there is a desire to focus resources," said Fontana, and in terms of an example, "'Impact Warren' is at the top of the list."