On June 10th and 11th, 2009, the Plan the Keystone Team met with Middletown area community leaders, municipal officials, and representatives from public institutions to gain a better understanding of the community’s issues and concerns . Discussions were held with:
- John McHale, Highspire Borough Manager
- Skip Memmi, Director of Dauphin County Community and Economic Development
- Robert Reid, Middletown Borough Mayor
- Jeffrey Stonehill, Middletown Borough Manager
- Bonnie Young, Royalton Borough Manager
- John Pullman, Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad President
- Rodney Horton, Middletown Borough Council President
- Gregory Sorce, Department of Environmental Protection Project Specialist
- Christine Goldbeck, Arts on Union
- Kerry Golden, Greater Middletown Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC) Board
- Jim Hoffer, Capital Area Transit
- Donald Holtzman, Penn State Harrisburg Director of Student Affairs
- Ron Paul, Lower Swatara Township Manager
- Tim Edwards, Harrisburg Airport Executive Director
- Stefan Klosowski, Greater Middletown Economic Development Corporation (GMEDC) Executive Editor
- Jim Nardo, Nardo Development
- Jim Szymborski, Tri-County Regional Planning Council (TCRPC)
- Mike Kmiecinski, Tri-County Regional Planning Council (TCRPC)
- Chuck Gassert, Dauphin County Housing Authority
The following issues and concerns were common themes that were identified through the stakeholder meetings:
- There is widespread support for keeping the Middletown Station within Middletown Borough.
- It is important that the station serve both regional and local customers by incorporating free parking and allowing direct pedestrian access from adjacent neighborhoods.
- Any station location should leverage redevelopment in the surrounding community.
- There is general support for an Ann Street location, since it supports the redevelopment of the AP Green property and serves Penn State-Harrisburg, Harrisburg International Airport and downtown Middletown.
This field view summary summarizes the major issues and opportunities identified through the stakeholder meetings.
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