Latest news with #TaylorClark
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Johnstown City Council approves designs for Central Park project
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ)– After changes and years of discussion, the Johnstown City Council voted Wednesday evening to approve the designs for major upgrades to the city's Central Park. The plans from CJL Engineering and UpStreet Architects passed in a six-to-one vote. Since the original designer stepped away from the project, a few changes were made to the plan, including the addition of a platform in the center where the Christmas Tree will sit. WTAJ News spoke with Councilman Taylor Clark, who has been on the council for almost three months of this years long process. Clark said that he disagreed with the former council's decision to use funds from the American Rescue Plan Act for the project, as he believes they could have been better utilized elsewhere in the city. Clark said that he voted yes because of all of the good that he and some fellow council members feel it will bring to the city. 'At the end of the day I'm not willing to give up all of the good about the Central Park project because of the aspects that I disagreed with,' Clark said. 'We can not potentially lose a brand new park with three phase electricity, seven new water outlets, a brand new extension on to gazebo park place, a new walk of honor, a new irrigation system and a new park that will be ADA compliant and more inclusive for all to use. I'm not willing to give up all of that just because of what I disagree with.'Clark said that for the city to back out now would be bad due to the amount of money that has already been invested into the planning process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coney Island, Miller's co-owner Clark chosen to fill Johnstown City Council vacancy
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Downtown business owner Taylor Clark was unanimously picked Monday to become the newest member of Johnstown City Council. The Roxbury resident was selected by the six current council members to fill the vacancy created when former Deputy Mayor Michael Capriotti resigned from the council to become the assistant city manager. Clark will serve for the remainder of this year. Meanwhile, a special election will determine who will fill the position for the following two years, beginning in January 2026. Clark, 31, co-owns two of the oldest businesses in downtown Johnstown – Coney Island Lunch and high-end men's clothing store Miller's of Johnstown. He is a member of the Johnstown Police Advisory Board and the Johnstown Oldtimers Baseball Association, which operates the annual All American Amateur Baseball Association Tournament. 'Here's the thing: I don't know how much it says about me other than what it says about the work that my family's put in over a long period of time – not just in the city of Johnstown, but the surrounding regions – including my grandfather and my dad,' Clark said. 'I'm just lucky enough to have had a great example from them, to have been able to follow in their footsteps, as far as running now two businesses in the city and always being civically involved some way, shape or form.' One of his main goals is to help develop the central business district, where 'retail used to be rampant,' he said. 'I think that business perspective specifically to retail, wanting to bring that back to downtown Johnstown, is important, learning that from literally age 8 up,' Clark said. Clark plans to take his oath of office before council's next regular monthly meeting March 12. He will join a council that consists of Mayor Frank Janakovic, Deputy Mayor the Rev. Sylvia King, Ricky Britt, Marie Mock, Laura Huchel and Charles Arnone. Clark was selected from among four applicants for the vacancy, including Gregory Brown, Nicholas Graham and Mike Hamacek. Clark is also running for a seat on council this year. There are six openings being contested, including a race for mayor. There are also four regular four-year positions and a two-year seat to complete Capriotti's term. 'He shows the brightest future,' Arnone said. 'I was impressed with all candidates who came before us. He shows the optimism in what we all would hope to see the next election brings to City Council. 'For too many years, it's been my age or older. Now to have Laura (Huchel) and Taylor, that's a great start for the future of this city, that we're finally having people that are under 40 that care about the city and want to move forward with it. That's truly exciting for me.'
