About Us

Need help?

Hi, I'm John

Everything we do at the Erie Downtown Partnership centers on our three primary focus areas of placemaking, marketing and advocacy. Our mission is to create a vibrant downtown experience that is unique and welcoming. We hope that you enjoy your downtown experience!

- John Buchna, Executive Director

Meet Our Staff

John Yost

Maintenance Technician Supervisor

Board of Directors

George Willis, Chairman of the Board - Retired, Urban Engineers
William Matrogran, Vice President - VP, Corporate Services Division, Erie Insurance
Ray Moluski, Treasurer - VP, Hamot Medical Center
Dr. Keith Taylor, Secretary - President, Gannon University
Mayor Joe Schember - Mayor, City of Erie
David Sherman - Owner, Isaac Baker Menswear
Marci Honard - Owner, Calamari’s Squid Row
Patrick Fischer - Executive Director, Erie Arts & Culture
Michelle Griffith-Aresco - President, Rick Griffith Properties
Bill Scholz - Co-founder, Radius CoWork
Christopher Friday - Executive Director, Erie Parking Authority
Shawnta Pulliam - Executive Director, Nurturing Hearts

Counsel to Erie Downtown Partnership:
Tim Wachter - Lawyer, Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett

A little history

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 14^th 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.