About Our West Bayfront

The mission of Our West Bayfront is to enhance the quality of life in the West Bayfront neighborhoods by promoting civic involvement, thoughtful development, historical preservation, and neighborhood pride.

Our History

Our West Bayfront is a neighborhood revitalization organization created in 2014 by interested residents and community partners throughout Erie’s West Bayfront neighborhoods including Gannon University, Housing and Neighborhood Development Service, Inc. (HANDS), the Erie Martin Luther King, Jr. Center, and neighborhood leaders. Following a process of community conversations and neighborhood planning, the Our West Bayfront Community Plan was developed in 2016, and OWB was incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization and staff hired in 2017.

Our Approach

Our work centers on creating healthy, stable West Bayfront neighborhoods by improving the built environment, strengthening neighborly relationships, and empowering residents to shape the future of the community. Our efforts are guided by the Our West Bayfront Community Plan and by constant conversation with community members through a both structured and informal opportunities.

OWB’s initiatives focus on several core areas, which are further described in the What We Do section of this site.

• Improving housing and property conditions with grants, outreach, and volunteer efforts to increase the supply of quality affordable housing
• Creating safe and active community spaces including parks, streets, and connections to the waterfront and other parts of the City of Erie
• Promoting economic development opportunities to meet neighborhood needs and create local jobs
• Coordinating activities and initiatives that strengthen relationships among residents and build neighborhood pride.