Bayfront East Side Taskforce

🍂 Home Maintenance Tip: Time to Change Your Furnace Filter!
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​As the weather turns cooler, keeping your home warm, safe, and energy-efficient is key. One of the easiest ways to protect your furnace and improve your indoor air quality is by changing your furnace filter regularly.
​Why change your filter?

​💡 Save Money: A clean filter reduces strain on your system and lowers energy bills.

​🌬️ Cleaner Air: Traps dust, pollen, and allergens for healthier air inside your home.

​🔥 Prevent Breakdown: Helps avoid costly heating repairs during the cold months.

​Tip: Check your filter every 30–90 days depending on pets and household size!
​Let’s keep our Bayfront Eastside neighborhood safe, warm, and thriving this season.
​

Big night for our community on Tuesday, Sept. 22! 🏡

​Join us at 5:30 PM for the BEST Neighborhood Meeting at the Church of the Nativity Community Center! We’ve got an incredible agenda packed with local updates, including:

​🍂 Love Your Block, Erie

​🌊 Port Authority

​🏙️ One Bayfront

​🏦 Community partner updates from First National Bank & Northwest Bank

​📋 UPMC Neighborhood Center & the Community Garden

​Because we know housing is top of mind for everyone, the City of Erie is also hosting a Housing Town Hall the same evening from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at East Middle School (1001 Atkins St)!

​Pro-tip for neighbors: Stop by our BEST meeting at 5:30 PM to catch our early updates, then head over to East Middle School to make your voice heard on Erie’s citywide housing strategy!

Great conversations for a stronger Erie!

This morning, our team at the Bayfront Eastside Taskforce had the opportunity to sit down with Erie County, Pennsylvania Executive Christina Vogel to talk about the incredible work Erie's neighborhood groups are doing every day.

​Thank you, County Executive Vogel, for taking the time to connect with us! We’re excited for future discussions on city revitalization as we work together to make all of our neighborhoods the best places to live, work, and grow.

Check out the first of our new historical series on the neighborhood where videographer Alex Devlin takes you on a journey to Erie's past:

The Story of the Historic East Bayfront Videos detailing the history of the East Bayfront Neighborhood

Hey neighbors! 👋 Want to have a say in our local housing strategy?

​Join Erie County for an important series of Community Meetings! Your input is key to building a housing plan that works for everyone in our community.

​Scan the QR code in the flyer or see the details below to find a meeting time that works for you! 📍✨

Today is Erie Gives Day! 💙

​Every donation made today helps the Bayfront Eastside Taskforce continue vital work in our community—from Aging in Place minor home repairs for senior residents to neighborhood beautification, public art, and green spaces across Erie’s Eastside.

​🌟 Why give today?

• Prorated Match: Your donation goes further thanks to matching funds provided by The Erie Community Foundation and event sponsors.

• 100% Impact: All credit card processing fees are fully covered, so 100% of your gift directly supports local neighborhood projects!

• Minimum donation: Just $25 to make a difference.
​💻 How to donate online (12 AM – 11:59 PM):

​Visit ErieGives.org

​Search for Bayfront Eastside Taskforce
​Submit your gift!

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​Thank you for investing in our neighborhood and supporting local residents! 🙏✨
​

Erie Gives Thousands of donors rally behind the nonprofits that make Erie County stronger. Since its launch in 2011, Erie Gives has generated more than $77.7 million for local causes, demonstrating the incredible impact we can make through the power of collective giving.

New Soccer Mini-Pitch Open at Nate Levy Park! ⚽🎉

​We had a great time coming together with the City of Erie, Pennsylvania and the Erie County Department of Planning and Community Development to celebrate the official opening of the new mini-pitch at Nate Levy Park (East 2nd & Holland Street)!

​A huge thank you to the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Mini-Pitch Program and FWC26 Philly for helping bring this project to life. It’s a wonderful addition to the neighborhood that gives local youth a dedicated space to play, move, and connect.

​📍 Location: Nate Levy Park (E 2nd & Holland St)

​📸 Photo Credit: Jacqueline George

Need help getting your property's exterior back on track? 🏡

​Through the Erie Land Bank Rapid Reset Exterior Clean-Up Program, eligible owner-occupied homeowners in Erie can receive a one-time exterior clean-up to address blight, safety concerns, or curb appeal.

​Eligibility Criteria:

​Owner-occupied residential property
​Owner unable to perform or afford initial clean-up
​Exterior conditions impact safety or neighborhood appearance
​Post-reset maintenance plan is in place
​Referrals from neighborhood groups, municipal officials, and community partners are encouraged!

​👉 Learn more and apply today at Erie Land Bank!

🚨 Only ONE WEEK away! BEST’s National Night Out is almost here! 🚨
​Hey Neighbors! 👋
​Mark your calendars because National Night Out 2026 is officially one week from today!
​We can’t wait to bring our community together for an evening filled with great food, friendly faces, big smiles, and fun for all ages. Check out some memories from past years—we’re ready to make even more this time around! 🍔🎈🚒
🌳6th & Parade Orchard🌳
August 4th, 2026
5PM - 7 PM

🏡 B.E.S.T. Aging in Place Project – Details & How to Apply! 💙
We’ve received a lot of great questions about our Aging in Place Project, so here is a clear breakdown of what’s included, who qualifies, and how to get started!

⚠️ Please note: Funding and materials are limited, so grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis!
🛠️ What Upgrades Are Included?
Through this program, eligible residents can receive up to $1,500 in FREE minor home safety modifications, which may include:

Bathroom safety grab bars & raised toilet seats
Stair handrails, non-slip stair treads, & rug safety tape
Lever door handles
Window A/C units, and more!

📋 Qualification Guidelines & Boundaries
To help ensure applications can be approved quickly, please review these key eligibility requirements:
Age Requirement: Applicants must be 50 years of age or older.

Current Residence: The home must be your primary, current residence (the program cannot cover vacant properties or secondary homes).

Neighborhood Boundaries: The property must be located within the B.E.S.T. service area:
North: Front Street
South: North side of E. 6th Street (Please note: Properties on the south side of E. 6th Street or beyond fall outside this grant's boundaries).
West: East side of State Street
East: West side of the Bayfront Connector

Renters Welcome! If you rent your home, you are welcome to apply! However, your landlord or property owner must sign off and agree to the application before an assessment or any modifications can be made.

📩 How to Get Your Application (First-Come, First-Served!)

Because spots are limited, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible:

📄 Download & Print: Access the application directly at

Besterie.org/what-we-do/resources.html

📞 Call Us: Contact our team directly at 814-456-7062 ex 3 to ask questions or request an application.
💬 Send a Message: Drop a comment below or send us a direct message here on Facebook, and we’ll be happy to help!
Let’s keep our neighborhood safe and comfortable together! Please tag or share this with anyone in our boundaries who might benefit! 💙

Resources, Grants & Neighborhood Assistance : What We Do : Bayfront East Side Taskforce B.E.S.T. Grant Resources The Bayfront East Side Taskforce provides neighborhood homeowners the opportunity to access grant funding to improve and rehab their…