Is Milford a tourist town, shopping town or just home?

MILFORD — The question on Monday was, should the borough be telling businesses where they can and can’t locate in the business district? Milford has been thinking about seeking state funding to begin a “Main Street Manager” program, to try to revitalize weaker areas of the borough’s economy. Businessman Chris Hobbs, who has been involved in similar work on Long Island, has been speaking at local planning meetings about the idea. On Monday he spoke to the architectural review board. Hobbs said of the town’s three major business groups, tourism, service and retail, retail is the one in need of the most attention. Member James McLain said he felt Milford already has a number of vacant retail spaces, but Hobbs argued that the locations are too diverse for walking. He said that shoppers/tourists need to have more retail opportunities clustered in closer walking distance. For example, he referred to the experience of a new tenant in his Milford Alley store complex on Broad Street, who has reported a sharp increase in clientele since relocating from the end of East Harford Street. Hobbs suggested that Milford would benefit if more central downtown locations, many of which are now housing real estate and other service business offices, were made available to create a retail core for the borough. Changes could come from zoning or by voluntary moves by existing property owners, he said. Lizanne Samuelson spoke in favor of the diversity of borough business. She said Milford businesses do not and cannot rely on tourism year-round to survive. “When winter comes, they’re not looking for tourists to walk in, they’re looking for you and me.” Hobbs’ presentation came immediately after the board finished a preliminary plan consultation with representatives of Progressive Health. The company, specializing in physical rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury, is one of the borough’s largest employers with about 150 employees. The company already occupies several locations along East Harford Street. Stroudsburg Architect John Schoonover presented plans for its proposed purchase and renovation of a barn at 203 Fourth Street, just off East Harford. The building would be used to provide additional space for physical rehabilitation patient services, Chief Executive Officer Paul Brooks explained.