Draft Vision Statement

Peg Ellsworth of the MARK Project addresses community members at a meeting in Arkville, who gathered to discuss community priorities in applying to the competitive $10 million New York State Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant program.

On Thursday, September 5, Middletown’s volunteer DRI committee held a public meeting at the Union Grove Distillery in Arkville to talk about the community’s vision for revitalizing our downtowns. More than 70 people turned out for a lively discussion about what we want our downtowns to look like, and what kinds of projects would be most transformative for our community.

MARK Project executive director Peg Ellsworth led us all in a small-group exercise aimed at creating a vision statement to guide all our work on the DRI application. Although different people came up with different words in that exercise, strong themes ran through them all. As a community, we want robust and affordable housing, healthcare, employment, recreation, harmony with the environment, and good quality of life for all residents. We want to make the most of our rich historical and natural assets. We want to thrive.

Here is our attempt to synthesize all those vision statements into one that will guide our work. We hope that this shared vision will inspire us to think boldly about the future of Middletown.

OUR VISION

To enhance and revitalize Fleischmanns, Arkville and Margaretville by restoring the downtown centers of these interconnected communities,

In a way that strengthens physical connections, celebrates historic assets, prioritizes environmental resilience, promotes access to natural resources, builds stronger neighborly relationships, creates a sense of place for multigenerational residents and visitors, embraces diversity and inclusion, and makes new opportunities for housing, health, employment and entrepreneurship,

So that our connected downtown districts thrive and benefit equitably, visitors are inspired to return, and our growth will yield a prosperous future for all.

Town of Middletown DRI Volunteer Committee Members: 

Benjamin Fenton

Lissa Harris

Christina Kim

Brendan McClean

Matthew Steen

Cambria Tallman

Robin Williams