Restoration Efforts In The Community


BARC is a 501c3 non-profit charitable organization, and the mission to revitalize this downtrodden community is an important element of BARC's revitalization plan. The renovation of the Flatiron Building, one of BARC's projects, as a Heritage Center/Visitor's Center will enable the downtown area to capitalize on the growing tourism trade being drawn to Nemacolin Castle.

The strategic location of the building positions it perfectly for drawing together the Northside (a Historic District) and the downtown area (a Historic District). Neighboring buildings can take advantage of facade improvement programs, and the renovated Flatiron Building will contribute significantly to the continued renewal of the community.

Plans are being developed to secure funds for the renovation of the annex of the building, called Flatiron II. Plans include expansion of the museum from the Heritage Center as well as thematic shops, other businesses, and a few overnight lodging spaces.

BARC produces a newsletter named the Enterprise to keep interested groups and residents informed of progress on the Flatiron Project and other BARC initiatives.

BARC has completed many improvements to the community including a planter wall with a kiosk of events in the community, the community gateway program provided with a grant from the state to establish a floral bed visible to travelers, tree planting program, a community directory, and many other organizational involvement projects.

A current project is the establishment of an Art Museum in the Flatiron Building to commemorate, Frank L. Melega, a local national renowned multi-talented artist. This is made possible through a grant from the local philanthropic Eberly Foundation.

Plans are forming to establish a Steamboat Museum to commemorate the history of boat buildings in Brownsville. Boat buildings have been an important part of Brownsville's history from the eighteenth century until 1996, when the last barge building facility left the area. The Steamboat museum is recommended in the plan provided by Makin Engineering Company for the Steel Industry Corporation and will complement their 'Rivers of Steel' journeys to sites along the Monongahela River. The Monongahela River Conservation Plan lists the river on the state's PA River Registry. More information to come.




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This page was created by Dan Visnauskas as a volunteer of the Fayette Forward Internet Task Force. They were developed in coordination with many organizations, businesses and people to represent Fayette County with a positive image on the World Wide Web.

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