“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.”

Martin, Luther King, Jr.

It’s always a pleasure to encounter examples of sound business thinking, especially in endeavors that are noble and community minded. Pottstown’s Mosaic Community Land Trust, which has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life in a challenged area, exemplifies both of the above qualities. By combining good business sense with genuine concerns for people, the “Mosaic” is emerging as a local force for good. 

Like many American communities that were once hotbeds of manufacturing, Pottstown has been profoundly affected by the decline of that sector and now struggles to reinvent itself. With a high unemployment rate and consequent erosion of its tax base, the community is seriously in need of new ideas and fresh perspectives. In that sense, the Mosaic represents a concept whose time has come.

A grassroots initiative

The driving forces behind the Land Trust’s activities are twofold: (1) a love for Pottstown and (2) a strong desire to see it revitalized, economically as well as culturally.  It consists of a group of energetic and concerned citizens who appreciate the needs of the community and who also have some very positive ideas about what Pottstown can become.

Initially founded in 2010, the Land Trust was the brainchild of retired United Airlines pilot David Jackson, Pottstown attorney Dave Garner, urban planner Sue Repko, and Montgomery County assessor Chris Huff.   Over the course of the past three years, the group has attracted a diverse and impressive array of professionals and begun to build a non-profit organization dedicated to making Pottstown a great place to live, work, and do business. 

Envisioning a bright future

The Mosaic Community Land Trust has been patiently working behind the scenes to develop a clear vision for Pottstown’s future and acquiring the resources to help bring that future about. One purpose of the Community Land Trust (CLT) is to make high quality, but affordable housing available to families with limited incomes, but who are also willing to take the responsibility of maintaining the property as their own.

The economics and psychology underlying the CLT model are a little too complicated to elaborate on here, but can be reviewed on the Web by going to http://pottstownclt.wordpress.com.  I’d strongly suggest a visit to that site.

Saving neighborhoods   

In other parts of the country CLTs have been successful at reducing the exploitation of low income neighborhoods by unscrupulous landlords who are only in it for the buck.  By putting the housing into the hands of responsible residents rather than real estate speculators, property values and the quality of life are maintained in neighborhoods that might otherwise deteriorate.

Much needed leadership

But it’s not only about economics and real estate— it’s about lives. The CLT model includes cultivating a sense of involvement and ownership among residents. And the Pottstown Mosaic Community Land Trust is bringing a diverse array of organizations and individuals together in creative and constructive ways to work at making the downtown area an attractive place to businesses, residents, and visitors. 

There will be obstacles, but the group is too knowledgeable to expect immediate gratification.  They’re well aware that it won’t be easy and won’t happen overnight.  In addition, they’re diligently educating themselves regarding communities in which the efforts of other CLTs have been successful.

Sound strategic planning

The problems facing towns like Pottstown are not simple ones to solve. They require attention to an array of interrelated elements, including cultural, economic, and technical factors. Community based initiatives often generate less than desirable results because people attempt to deal with problems as though they are independent of one another and can be treated separately.

The leadership of the Mosaic Land Trust, in its wisdom, is entertaining no such illusions.  The strategic plan they’ve developed acknowledges that fact and specifies a broad array of factors that will have to be addressed in concert to bring about desirable change.

Getting people involved

The first project undertaken by the Land Trust has already begun to demonstrate its worth. Acquiring a small plot of land at 423 Chestnut St., the Land Trust has established a “Community Garden” and recruited residents in that immediate area help make it a beautiful and pleasant resource for the neighborhood. 

Nothing establishes relationships and builds a sense of community like working together on practical, tangible tasks that everyone can feel good about. The Garden is a demonstrated success, to the point where it now requires a manager to oversee its maintenance and further development. 

Starting with small successes

Though limited in scope, this project represents an important first step as a goal successfully achieved. It’s a symbol of what can be done when you bring people together in the right ways for the right reasons. When properly executed, the CLT model works.

Financial support

Actually, the Mosaic’s Community Garden is more than a symbol— it’s an accomplishment that demonstrates some tangible benefits of the Land Trust’s approach to building a better Pottstown. Besides its intrinsic value, it also shows potential financial supporters that any dollars they’re considering contributing will be well spent and yield fruit— literally.

The group’s strategic plan also includes an array of contingencies for generating the financial support that will be necessary to sustain its work. Rather than attempt to articulate those here however, I’ll again suggest that you visit the Land Trust on the Web http://pottstownclt.wordpress.com and see for yourself that its planning is sound, practical, and realistic.

Leading by example

Underlying all successful revitalization efforts are values that identifiable, consistent, and that serve as models for the rest of the community. The Land Trust has these articulated in its strategic plan. Among these are a spirit of cooperation, a sense of service, and a dedication to bettering the lives of others.

Naturally flowing from these core values is a commitment to promoting health and wellness within the community, which the Mosaic has also clearly established as a priority. It’s not just lip service either. It’s all about stepping forward to take the lead in making these things happen.

History has shown us repeatedly that the most effective leaders have been those whose respect and concern for others have defined their missions. We’ve already seen the results of greed and self-interest, which have led to the degradation and decline of our communities.  In sharp contrast, the Land Trust represents the kind of values associated with recovery and revitalization.

Arts and entrepreneurship

Rounding out the group’s vision for Pottstown’s future is strong support for both the arts and entrepreneurship. No question that these two are complimentary forces when it comes to transforming communities. As we’ve seen so often in the past, as one goes, so goes the other.

Regarding the arts, ArtFusion19464 and the Steel River Playhouse are other bright spots in Pottstown that need and deserve the support of the community. The Land Trust is an active supporter of these and similar facilities. It has also included partnering with schools, churches and businesses as essential components of its strategic plan for helping to improve the quality of life in Pottstown.

A community effort

Only by promoting the positive values of participation and involvement can any troubled community reinvent itself.  Pottstown has a number of organizations that are dedicated to its revitalization. The problem so far, however, has been one of coordination and cooperation.

The Mosaic Community Land Trust has chosen to lead the way in bringing these organizations together with the residents of Pottstown in a concerted effort to create a bright future for the borough.  It will, however, take work.

A catalyst for change

The group is providing the direction and the opportunities for the rest of the community to get involved.  By serving as a catalyst for change, the Mosaic has taken the first steps toward making Pottstown a great place to live, work, and do business.

The group’s optimism and energy is refreshing and uplifting. Take some time and get to know the folks involved with the Land Trust. Visit them on the web, and take a run past the Community Garden at 423 Chestnut Street. They’re an impressive and inspiring lot whose mission I’m sure you’ll want to support.