OWB Forward
OWB Forward: Shaping the Next 10 Years of the West Bayfront
For the past decade, neighbors, businesses, organizations, and community partners have worked together to strengthen the West Bayfront. Now, we’re looking ahead and we want your voice to help shape the next 10 years.
A Decade of Community Impact
In January 2017, Our West Bayfront became a registered nonprofit organization and completed a community-driven process to plan for the West Bayfront. You can read the full plan here. Based on the priorities we heard from neighbors, OWB has been launching programs, investing in housing, sidewalks, safety, helping you bring your ideas to life, and responding to community needs through:
- Community events
- Neighborhood improvements
- Public space investments
- Partnerships
- Resident-led initiatives
Now, 10 years later, we’re revisiting this plan to make sure our organization reflects community needs. However you interact with OWB, your perspective is valuable! Do you live, shop, own a business, visit, recreate, worship, or explore in the West Bayfront? Then we want to hear from you!
Complete our Community Survey
Check out our Neighborhood Imagination Workbook
Join our Newsletter
Attend a Community Event
What is OWB Forward?
OWB Forward is a community-driven planning process designed to identify priorities, celebrate progress, and create a shared vision for the future of the West Bayfront community. At every stage of the process, neighbors, businesses, organizations, and community partners have opportunities to share ideas through community events, workshops, surveys, and conversations. Together, your voices are shaping the next chapter of Our West Bayfront.
The process is guided by a Steering Committee of residents, business owners, and community leaders, with support from r.plan, a women-owned consulting firm specializing in community engagement, urban strategy, and thoughtful, human-centered design. Together, they will help ensure that community voices and local expertise inform the planning process.
Launch and Listen
Summer 2026
Kick off the process, build partnerships, and listen to the community.
Engage and Gather Ideas
Summer – Fall 2026
Host community events, workshops, and surveys to gather ideas and understand priorities.
Analyze and Shape Priorities
Fall 2026 – Winter 2027
Review what we’ve heard, identify key priorities, and develop recommendations.
Develop and Refine Plan
Winter – Spring 2027
Prepare the draft plan and ensure it reflects our community’s vision and values.
Finalize and Look Ahead
Spring 2027
Finalize the Community Plan, aligning with OWB’s 10-year anniversary, and chart our path forward
Implement
2027 Forward
Live into the plan during OWB’s 10-year anniversary and beyond!
Meet our Steering Committee
Lisa Heidleberg
OWB Board, owner, Dinner is Served by Lisa, resident
Eric Dahlstrand
OWB Board, Erie Insurance, resident
Katrina Vincent
OWB Board, Marquette Savings Bank
Brett McCorkle
OWB Advisory Committee, Erie Insurance, resident
Alicia George
MLK Center Youth Coordinator, resident
Deana Dean (DD)
Resident
Tom Ferraro
Artist, resident
Dr. Chris Magno
Gannon University, GIS expert
Katrina Byrd
Community Schools Director, Strong Vincent Middle School
Bishop Frankie Quinn
Diocesan Bishop of Christian Ministries of the Apostolic Faith Church, Founder and Board President of the Community Cornerstone Project
Cooper Moore
Advisor to the Steering Committee, City of Erie Representative
Meet the r.plan Team
Amy Murdock, MBA, AICP
Principal
amurdock@rplanninggroup.com
Desmond Dunn
Urban Strategist
ddunn@rplanninggroup.com
Starla Cochenour
Project Manager
scochenour@rplanninggroup.com
The r.plan team blends community engagement, rigorous analysis, and hands-on implementation to help stakeholders move from ideas to outcomes. As a locally based Erie firm, the team understands the people, places, and partnerships that shape the region. Learn more about r.plan at rplanninggroup.com and reach out to the team with any questions.
Engage and Gather Ideas
Summer - Fall 2026
Your input is helping us understand:
- what’s working
- what needs attention
- what opportunities we should pursue
- what kind of community we want to build together
Help Shape These Priorities
Parks & Public Spaces
- How can we continue creating welcoming spaces for neighbors?
Housing & Neighborhood Stability
- How do we support a thriving and accessible community?
Connection & Mobility
- How do people move through and experience the West Bayfront?
Arts, Culture & Community Identity
- How do we celebrate the stories that make our community unique?
Local Business & Economic Opportunity
- How do we support neighborhood vitality?
Community Connections
- How do we strengthen relationships between neighbors?
Do you love hosting? We’re looking for residents to host small events for their neighborhood to help neighbors connect and share feedback. This could look like a backyard gathering, porch sit, coffee talk, or your own creative idea. We’d love to help you! Send an email to info@ourwestbayfront.org to connect.
