This week’s Bottom-Up Revolution podcast features Mayor Chris Frye, who’s been leading the city of New Castle, Pennsylvania, since January 2020. Before running for mayor, his background wasn’t in politics but in social work and community service. He’s a husband and father of three—and he’s utterly dedicated to helping his city grow stronger. He’s also New Castle’s first black mayor, and a Republican.
New Castle, as you’ll learn from Mayor Frye, is a city going through the same challenges of economic downturn, disinvestment and neglect that so many cities in the Rust Belt and Midwest have encountered during the last several decades.
However, like our guest last week (De’Amon Harges), Mayor Frye is focused on seeing the assets and gifts in his city, not just the problems. He knows that the work of revitalization is not merely about fixing up old buildings or bringing jobs back, but about changing negative perceptions. He wants residents and outsiders to see New Castle, not as a place of blight, poverty, or crime, but as a beautiful city that can thrive and is thriving.
At the end of our conversation, Mayor Frye shares his thoughts for other leaders whose cities may be in a similar economic situation. One piece of advice? “Stay hopeful, and don’t become complacent.”
De’Nita Wright: Community Power Through Co-Ops
Gracen Johnson: A Neighborhood Person
Gregg Lombardi: Collaborating for Neighborhood Revitalization
Andrea Marr: An Interdisciplinary, Incremental Leader
Billy Altom: Helping Rural Residents with Disabilities to Thrive
Kirk Seyfert: Increasing Bike Access for All
Beth Hoffman: Getting Real about the Cost and Value of Farming
Ashley Salvador: Building Gentle Density and a Grassroots Campaign for City Council
Mason Thompson: Saying Yes to Your City
Tim Wright: Joining with Neighbors and Taking Action
Rebecca Undem: Helping Small Towns and Their People Thrive
Rob Green: A Strong Towns Advocate and Mayor
Sarah Davis: Data-Driven, Community-Centered Planning
Austin Taylor: Using Tactical Urbanism to Make Your Town Stronger
Chuck Marohn: Taking a Strong Towns Approach to Transportation
Cate Ryba: Connecting Neighbors and Harnessing the Power of Fun
Tiffany Owens: Paying Attention to Your City
Thomas Dougherty: Turning Alleys into Productive Space
Wendy Streit: Using Public Art to Help Small Businesses
Mary Jones: Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands to #SlowTheCars
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