History
Our History
B.E.S.T. was originally established in 1978 with a primary focus of coordinating the extensive restoration of Erie's historic Federal Row House. The housing project complemented commercial expansion efforts in the area spearheaded by Erie Insurance and Hamot Medical Center. After the redevelopment, B.E.S.T. was dormant up until the end of the century.
Beginning in the early 1990's, Erie's East Bayfront neighborhood saw continual improvements through the efforts led by the East Bayfront Neighborhood Watch, a grassroots, all-volunteer organization of residents committed to curtailing urban blight and creating a more vibrant, dynamic neighborhood that would be attractive to new homeowners. The organization’s actions were laudable, but needed a large-scale approach to galvanize change and revitalization. In the mid-1998, the taskforce's corporate partners, led by Erie Insurance Group and UPMC Hamot, began to recharge B.E.S.T. to augment the Neighborhood Watch group's efforts. In 2000, B.E.S.T. hired a full-time executive director and obtained a formal 501(c)3 status to formalize and guide the organization’s efforts.
Over the past 20 years, B.E.S.T.’s finances have grown over threefold, guiding this investment back into the community. The once solely redevelopment organization broadened its area past Erie's Federal Row homes, now overseeing the neighborhood from Front Street up to 6th Street, and from Holland Street over to the East Bayfront Parkway. In recent decades, B.E.S.T. has spearheaded employment initiatives, commercial endeavors, and greatly expanded affordable renting options for community residents. Today, B.E.S.T. stewards over 16 acres of land in an effort to further housing opportunities and beautifying the neighborhood and strengthening our community.
Below are some of B.E.S.T.’s accomplishments:
- Loving Giving Local Winner May 2024
- Development of over twenty new homes for low to moderate income, first-time homeowners
- Creation of safe, affordable rental property for renters in the East Bayfront neighborhood
- Organization of neighborhood clean-ups, park beautification and volunteer efforts
- Grants and façade beautification resources to homeowners in the East Bayfront
- Offer summer employment opportunities for neighborhood youth
- Development of commercial spaces, offering integral community services
- Coordination and support of the East Bayfront Neighborhood Watch group
