Transforming the 'Mill' property

Austin Dam Memorial Association members, from left, Tracie Gordnier and Mickey Boucher, Potter County Visitors Assocaition Executive Director David Brooks and Route 6 HeritageCorp. Executive Director Terri Dennison listen as DCNR Recreation and Parks Advisor Wes Fahringer explains the state's planning grant program during a meeting in Austin on Wednesday. A steering committee is being formed to push for development at the former Bayless Pulp and Papermill.

The Bayless Pulp and Papermill ruins in Austin Borough could be the site of an expanded state park, complete with walking trails, biking trails, interpretive historical sites and whatever else the community would like to see.

A group of about 30 met Wednesday evening in Austin to discuss how the 17- plus acre tract of land that encompasses the "mill" ruins and part of the adjacent hillside could be redeveloped into something that enhances the community and ultimately the Austin Dam Memorial Park, just up the valley.

By meeting's end, the group agreed to recruit people for a "steering committee" that would begin a planning process that will lead to a blueprint for recovering the site and, ultimately, developing it.

Several people at the meeting volunteered for the Thursday (Jan. 24) at 7 pm at the Austin Firehall. The group is hoping that more people will turn out to share their input on what they'd like to see happen at the site. People are also encouraged to volunteer to be on the steering committee.

In addition to several members of the Austin Dam Memorial Assn(ADMA)., four members of Austin Borough Council and about two dozen interested community members attended the meeting to hear county and state-level project development and funding experts explain what programs may help fund a redevelopment project at the papermill property.

Ultimately, the group discussed potentially linking the Austin Dam Site property, owned by the Austin Dam Memorial Assn., and the borough property, to create one large recreational site. For that to happen, Patterson Lumber Company, which owns a large tract of land between the two parcels, would have to agree to sell or donate its piece to the project. ADMA members are cautiouslyoptimistic that piece can be obtained.

Wes Fahringer, a DCNR Recreation and Parks Advisor, told the audience that the project "is exactly the kind of development DCNR likes to fund."

"We (DCNR) are interested in projects that help create sustainable communities," he said. "And I've been here. I've seen the site. I know the people. We believe this project has great potential."

Fahringer said that Austin Borough, since it's a municipality, must be the applicant for the planning grants that are available through DCNR.

The long range vision of the group is to preserve as much of the papermill history as possible by perhaps enhancing some of the ruins. A road would connect the town to the Austin Dam Site, with visitor stops and walking paths along the way.

The site would be developed to provide a recreational area for local visitors, as well as tourists from out of the area.

As the steering committee works toward having a site plan developed, many meetings and informational gatherings will be held to solicit ideas and input from the community.

"It's absolutely essential that you get as many organizations, churches, community groups and individuals involved in the process," Fahringer said. "That ensures that you get diverse ideas and that the community gets a project that it wants, not something made up by planners who don't know anything about the area."

Goal is to have a planning grant submitted by April's end. If grant money is received, the steering committee will have to come up with a "local match," some or all of which can be obtained through grants from other sources.