Join Us at the Community Roundtable!
Learn about the project, share ideas, and help identify priorities for 1st Avenue and Olde Town on March 30th, 2026.
About the Project
The City of Altoona is undertaking a coordinated planning effort to strengthen its primary corridor, downtown, and key commercial districts. This project brings together a citywide streetscape vision for 1st Avenue, an update to the Olde Town plan, and a forward-looking strategy for emerging commercial nodes. Together, these plans will establish a shared vision and clear guidance for public investment, private development, and placemaking over the coming years.
Through design concepts, redevelopment scenarios, and implementation strategies, the project will support:
- A more inviting and functional 1st Avenue corridor
- A vibrant, historic, and adaptable Olde Town
- Well-designed commercial areas that support growth, connectivity, and a strong sense of place
Community input will guide each step of the process.
Project Components
1st Avenue is Altoona’s primary corridor and a key gateway into the community. This effort will study the corridor from the northern to southern city limits to identify opportunities for placemaking, public art, and entry features.
What this plan will deliver:
- Streetscape design concepts for key locations
- Recommendations for public art, gateways, and placemaking features
- A phased implementation strategy
- Cost estimates and maintenance considerations
Olde Town is the historic heart of Altoona. This update builds on previous planning work to strengthen what makes Olde Town unique while providing clear direction for areas likely to change over time.
What this plan will deliver:
- A scenario-based redevelopment framework
- Strategies to enhance historic character
- Guidance for reinvestment and adaptive reuse
- Clear direction for future land use decisions
As Altoona grows, strategic planning for commercial areas is essential. This component focuses on key growth areas to ensure future development supports community goals.
What this plan will deliver:
- A future land use framework for commercial nodes
- Design and regulatory recommendations
- Guidance that supports mixed-use development
- Improved multi-modal connectivity and placemaking
Join us at the Community Roundtable
Community Roundtable
Date: March 30
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Altoona City Hall
The Community Roundtable is the first opportunity to learn about the project, share ideas, and help identify priorities for 1st Avenue, Olde Town, and Altoona’s commercial areas.
What to expect:
- A brief project overview
- Small-group discussion and interactive activities
- Opportunities to share ideas, concerns, and aspirations
