About Us

Mission and History

The Erie Downtown Partnership is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life and create a better Downtown experience for businesses, residents, and guests through advocacy, marketing, and placemaking. The Partnership, now in its 21st year, is committed to making Downtown Erie a safe, fun, and welcoming place for all.

Collective action brings change.  That was the motivating principal behind the creation in 2004 of the Downtown Improvement District by more than 500 merchants, property owners, businesses and organizations dedicated to the renewal of Erie’s historic and economically vital central business district.

Now known as the Erie Downtown Partnership, the organization is an agent of change in the area bounded by Presque Isle Bay to the north, the 14th Street railway bridge to the south, and stretching from Sassafras to Holland Streets.

Stakeholders within the area have been empowered to determine effective methods – in services provided, initiatives begun and projects to be carried out – that will result in the increased vibrancy of the downtown.

Property owners within the designated area contribute to the organization according to an assessment formula based on the value of land and buildings, all with the coherent and single-minded goal of making downtown Erie a better place to live, work, shop, learn, play and do business.