Union City is going through exciting changes, focusing on making the downtown area more attractive and encouraging people to take pride in their city.
Over 1,500 LED lights, which brighten up the city’s streets at night, are at the heart of this transformation.
Paired with the “Growing Together” initiative, it encourages the community to actively beautify public spaces and their properties.
As part of the city’s revitalization, these two efforts go hand in hand to make the city feel more welcoming, lively, and connected.
- Union City has installed more than 1,500 LED lights to brighten the downtown area and make it more welcoming at night.
- The “Growing Together” project encourages residents to improve their yards and participate in city projects like planting trees and cleaning parks.
- These changes aim to make Union City more beautiful and bring the community closer together.
More Than 1,500 Lights Brighten Union City’s Downtown
One of the most noticeable changes in Union City is the recent installation of more than 1,500 LED lights across its downtown area.
Starting around 7:30 p.m., the lights switch on every night, illuminating the streets until midnight.
As you can imagine, this has completely changed how downtown looks after dark. It’s now a more vibrant and inviting space for everyone.
The lights are part of a larger push to revitalize the downtown area, which has already seen other improvements, such as colorful murals and a new gateway at the site of the old Union City Dinor.
Though these lights aren’t only for decoration—they help bring out the beauty of the town’s historic buildings, highlighting details that go unnoticed during the day.
The way the lights brighten up the skyline creates a sense of warmth, and it makes the area feel more alive in the evenings.
As a result, downtown has become a place where people want to spend time, whether strolling through the streets or gathering with friends.
The Idea Behind Union City’s Lighting Project
The idea for the downtown lighting came about in 2022 during a brainstorming meeting with Steve Bishop, Union City Borough Manager Cindy Wells, and Terri Migliaccio, who leads a local nonprofit called UC Action.
After exploring several ideas, they decided to model their project on a similar one in Ripon, Wisconsin.
Interestingly, Ripon has been lighting its downtown for 30 years and is known as the “city of lights.”
With help from Ripon’s team, Union City learned what type of wiring, light fixtures, and bulbs to use.
In a carefully planned design, the lights in Union City are spaced 18 inches apart on 2,300 feet of strong wiring, which wraps around the corners of buildings in some spots.
The lights are set on timers, so they’ll adjust to the changing seasons and always turn on as it gets dark.
What’s special about this project is the cooperation of local building owners, who allow the city to install the lights on their rooftops and power them with their own electricity.
In some cases, owners of buildings at the corners of blocks offered to provide power for an entire stretch of lights.
Cindy Wells shared that local businesses have been very supportive, with no one opposing the project.
Undeniably, this spirit of cooperation is a great example of how the community works together to improve the town without pushback.
The entire lighting project cost $46,000, funded by grants from the Erie Community Foundation and the Union City Community Foundation.
Plus, UC Action has also set aside money for any future repairs or bulb replacements to keep the lights shining brightly.
The “Growing Together” Project: Encouraging Residents to Improve the Community
Alongside the downtown lighting project, Union City has also launched the “Growing Together” initiative.
As part of the initiative, the program aims to get residents involved in making the city a better place. By doing so, it encourages people to improve their own properties and participate in larger community projects.
At its core, it’s about inspiring people to take pride in their surroundings and work together to create a welcoming and beautiful city.
Through “Growing Together,” residents can attend free classes that teach them useful skills like gardening, setting up irrigation systems, and composting.
And essentially, these classes are meant to help people take better care of their yards and properties, and the hope is that when one person makes improvements, it will inspire others in the neighborhood to do the same.
Amazingly, it’s all part of a bigger goal to make Union City a place where everyone feels proud of where they live.
But the program isn’t just about individual efforts. It also offers plenty of opportunities for people to collaborate and work on projects that benefit the whole community.
Volunteers can participate in events like tree planting, landscaping public parks, and even joining an adopt-a-spot program where they help maintain certain areas of the city.
With this goal in mind, the initiatives are designed to unite people, creating a sense of shared responsibility and accomplishment.
The idea behind this initiative is simple: when people work together to care for their city, it becomes a more enjoyable place for everyone.
Local leaders are excited about this project, which they see as a way to strengthen the bonds within the community while making the city a more pleasant place to live.
A Brighter Future for Union City
Together, the downtown lighting project and the “Growing Together” initiative are shaping Union City’s future.
As we covered today, these efforts, amazingly, bring people together to create a more beautiful, inviting city.
With the support of local residents and business owners, the town is physically and socially transforming.
The lights give the downtown area a new, lively atmosphere, while the “Growing Together” initiative fosters a sense of collaboration and shared pride in the city.
As these projects unfold, Union City is set to become a place where everyone feels welcome, inspired, and proud to call home.
If you want to get involved in this transformation, you can contact the city at contactuc@unioncityga.org to learn more about how you can contribute.
