York mayor: Revitalization has only just begun: Bracey cites top accomplishments and goals in "State of the City" address

York Mayor Kim Bracey loves the maple glaze donuts at Glazin Cafe on South Duke Street, a business that recently opened in her city.

She is proud of the work being done at the Color Works Building in York's Northwest Triangle, and is confident that “we can, and we will,” rejuvenate the Yorktowne Hotel to its former luster, the York mayor told a few hundred people in the White Rose City on Wednesday night.

A lot has been done, but a lot more remains unfinished, she said in her address, delivered at a city middle school.

The York Revolution baseball team, scheduled to start its 10th season of play Thursday night, brought 275 new jobs and attracts some 300,000 fans a season to PeoplesBank Park, and the team has raised nearly $1 million for York-area nonprofits, the mayor said Wednesday during her yearly “State of the City” address.

There’s a revitalized Central Market, with a new roof, and work to redevelop the first block of West Market Street will restore what was once known as York’s “Department Store Row.”

The naysayers will say she’s preaching to the choir, the mayor told the audience of city and community officials and residents.

“But never, ever, ever underestimate the vocal range of a good choir,” who can spread the word about what’s happening in York elsewhere, Bracey said, smiling.

She also applauded the “contagious energy” that York College is bringing to downtown York through its Center for Community Engagement and other initiatives in the city.

Three honored at city address

The mayor also presented “Mayor's White Rose Awards” to three people:

- Dr. Deborah McMillan, who has specialized in geriatric and family medicine for over 30 years, is affiliated with WellSpan York Hospital and “strongly believes in community service to strengthen our community,” a program for the event stated.

- York Detective First Class Jeffrey Spence, who “is admired for his ability to be empathetic and work tirelessly to represent crime victims and their families.”

- Jeff Stabley, who teaches jazz studies at York College and has been the music director of First Presbyterian Church of York’s popular Jazz Vespers Concert that honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Bracey's address and a preceding awards event, held at York’s Hannah Penn Middle School, drew nearly 300 people.

Wednesday’s address was the fifth “State of the City” address by Bracey, who was elected York’s first African-American mayor in November 2009.

York’s 24th mayor, she was re-elected to a second term in 2013.

She oversees a $98 million budget for York, a city of some 43,000, and has spearheaded efforts to revitalize the city’s center.

The York County Economic Alliance sponsored Wednesday’s speech and other events, including announcements of various “York Awards,” such as the Unity, Entrepreneur, Leadership, Humanitarian, Public Arts and “YorkScape” awards.

Source: Central Penn Business Journal