By Aubrey Miller
Contributing Writer
On March 17, the borough of East Stroudsburg held a forum to ask students important questions: Why we are here, what we would like to see change and what things we would like to see in the future?
The forum began with a discussion of what brought students to the university.
Most participants answered that their decisions were based on proximity to home and their choice of major, not the surrounding town.
Students reported that they tend to go outside of East Stroudsburg to do things such as shopping and dining.
The board then opened the floor to student suggestions regarding what they would like to see in the town.
Students responded with an interest in seeing the town become geared toward the college.
Students mentioned that they would like to have places to eat and shop on campus or at least closer than they currently are.
For students that live on campus without a car, desirable activities are not within walking distance.
The Pocono Pony is available for students to use, but is limited and takes up more time than needed.
Participants suggested possible fixes for the public transportation issues East Stroudsburg currently has.
Another issue brought up was the lack of lighting on the streets and sidewalks around town that students tend to use.
Students who walk at night off campus feel that there is not enough light and that this could be a safety issue.
Students also reported that they would like to see more chain restaurants near campus.
They said that they have to travel to the Lehigh Valley Mall for things like Chipotle or Chick-Fil-A. It would be more convenient for them to have such places closer to campus.
The representative from the borough mentioned some potential plans that have been discussed.
Crystal Street is considered East Stroudsburg’s downtown area where there is a strip of stores and places to eat.
There has been talk about building a bridge connecting the university to Crystal Street to make it easier for students to get there.
Courtland, Washington and Brown Street, known by some as “the triangle,” are currently zoned as residential areas.
The area could potentially become a mix of residential and commercial space. If this were to happen, buildings could have stores on the bottom and apartments on top.
The borough says its goal is to attract franchises to the area.
Although it may take some time, the borough is hoping to develop plans to positively change things about the town using the feedback given by the students at this forum.
Email Aubrey at:
amiller82@live.esu.edu