Font Resize"The Renaissance of Olde Towne East," a documentary about the 18-block York neighborhood, will be shown after the YWCA's annual meeting at the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center.
Olde Towne East was the first community to receive state Elm Street designation, which brought funding for neighborhood improvements such as new and rehabbed housing and streetscape upgrades, including new benches, sidewalks and streetlights. Neighbors have said they've seen a reduction in crime and more people taking care of their community.
For the past year, the neighborhood worked with a filmmaker to bring the story to the movie screen.
The idea was to find a way to visually show the improvements in the neighborhood to people who did not know about the Elm Street project, said Richard Miller, Elm Street manager with the YWCA of York.
The neighborhood contacted the Art Institute of York, where the call went to then-film-teacher Jason Pohlig, of Lancaster. He was filled in on the documentary idea and agreed to help.
"That's what I do," said Pohlig, now a freelance filmmaker.
He worked with Miller to interview residents, city officials and others who were involved with the Elm Street project and wove the information with photos of the neighborhood before and after the improvements.
Pohlig said he didn't know anything about the Elm Street project but learned along the way -- one of the perks
Miller said the film will show what was accomplished but also that the revitalization is not finished and needs the continued support of residents.
"We want people to see how a great program with many different program partners can bring about the revitalization of a neighborhood," he said.
If you go
What: Premier of "The Renaissance of Olde Towne East," a documentary about the city neighborhood's revitalization.
When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, after the 5 p.m. annual meeting of the YWCA of York
Where: Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center, 50 N. George St., York
Who: Open to the public
For more: Visit www.ywcaofyork.org
