Video Credit: Jackie George and LoneSav
The Bayfront East Side Taskforce (B.E.S.T.) was started over 40 years ago, during the commercial revitalization of Erie’s historic Lower East Bayfront district. The organization was Erie’s first non-profit focused on a single neighborhood and continues to be an invaluable steward in the neighborhood. With the integral help of our donors, partners, and volunteers, B.E.S.T. has collectively joined forces with the community to create the best place in Erie.
Our Mission.
BEST leads collaborative revitalization with residents, businesses, and community partners across the historic East Bayfront Neighborhood, creating a safe, affordable, and vibrant place to call home.
Our central themes are: organizing the community, building a positive neighborhood image, increasing neighborhood pride, and beautifying the neighborhood. We also strive to promote home ownership, improve communication, and serve in a concerted and collaborative role with local government. We work with many partners in our community to improve safety and build stability, fostering a sense of community.
Our Vision
BEST is working to create a revitalized neighborhood of choice that provides a thriving, connected community to live, work, and enjoy.
To accomplish this, we work with partners located in our neighborhood. We involve landlords in the community organizing process, and we provide neighborhood-benefitting, nonprofit housing development, serving as a central information resource on housing and development. We serve as a collaborator where community partners and volunteers can come together, using their talents and skills to help improve the livelihood throughout the neighborhood.
