west bayfront map

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.

Our Board Members

Almitra Clerkin

Gannon University

Associate VP of University Advancement

Candace Battles

Retired Social Worker

Charles Scalise

Edinboro University Foundation

Executive Director

Eric Dahlstrand

Erie Insurance

Training Delivery Specialist

Erika Ramalho

Gannon University

Director of Government and Community Relations

Floyd McClure

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church

Pastor

James Sherrod

MLK Center/Bayfront NATO

Executive Director

Jason Wieczorek

JW Architecture & Design

Principal

Jay Alberstadt

MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton LLP

Partner

Katrina Vincent

Marquette Savings Bank

Assistant Vice President

Lisa Heidelberg

Dinner is Served Personal Chef Services

Chef & Owner

Michael Jaruszewicz

United Way of Erie County

VP of Community Impact

Nicholas Taylor

Menajerie Studio, LLC

Founder & Managing Partner

Sarah Ewing

Gannon University

Provost and Vice President for Student Experience

Seph Kumer

First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant

Director of Community Engagement

Our Staff

Anna Frantz

Executive Director

Marissa Litzenberg

Project Manager

Dan Pertl

Neighborhood Asset Manager

Starla Cochenour

Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator

Anna Malinowski

Student Worker

Eric Kassah

AmeriCorps VISTA

Major Partners

Our West Bayfront operates through financial support from and partnership with many different businesses and organizations. The following have invested substantially in our organization and its efforts, and it is a pleasure to partner with them to impact our community.