Beginning in 1992 and lasting over a decade, the Logantown community fought a battle with the Altoona YMCA to save their local park. This neighborhood conflict brought a lot of attention to Logantown’s deteriorating condition.

Twenty-five years ago on July 6, Altoona hired its first planning director in three years, who focused his attention on the condition of Logantown during the ongoing dealings with the YMCA. He restarted a past program, the “Logantown Revitalization Strategy Area Plan,” that primarily obtained grants for needed home, street and sidewalk improvements for Logantown residents.

The “Around Altoona” and “Crime Watch ” programs were launched within Logantown during this new emphasis on improvement. However, the revitalization plan dwindled, then ceased to continue, while much repair was still needed in this community of nearly 3,000 persons.

Altoona City Council should observe and note the current condition of Logantown and initiate available programs that can be applied to improve the area. Of course, the removal of any “green spaces” or “recreational parks” would not be considered by the Logantown residents as improvement.

Logantown, centrally located when annexed into Altoona July 31, 1912, extended from Chestnut Avenue to 22nd Avenue and First to Forth Streets. The area grew quickly, supplying additional housing for the ongoing increase of railroad families. Logantown, bordered by the railroad, hospital, Cricket Field and Juniata, had contained 36 businesses, six churches, two schools and three parks. This historic portion of Altoona should not be neglected. Logantown that was once essential, is now neglected.

Charles J. LaMark

Logantown, Altoona