Giant 'postcard' with image of Pottsville adorns building

Nov. 10—POTTSVILLE — A giant-sized vinyl decal of a postcard of Pottsville adorns a wall in the city.

The 15-by-20-foot image of Pottsville is on the wall of Servants to All at Norwegian and Centre streets.

Mayor Dave Clews said the decal is "to let people know they can still have pride in their small hometown."

The Pottsville Business Association and the Pottsville Area Development Corp. joined in the endeavor, which had a price tag of between $6,500 and $7,000.

The idea for the beautification project predates the COVID-19 pandemic, Clews said.

Wood framing for the 10 aluminum panels was installed Oct. 23. The project was completed Oct. 30.

The drone photo, taken before the pandemic, is from Jonathan Paroby, who donated it to Clews, who then sent it to Reidler Decal Corp. in Saint Clair.

Each section of 0.25-inch aluminum panel has a decal on it, so if one is damaged it can be repaired, according to Clews. There is flashing around the panels to deflect water.

The original plan was to have it on the side of the Crimson House, a city restaurant, but that changed because of building constraints, including the cost associated with preparing the wall for the image, Clews said.

The Norwegian Street site is a busy intersection in the city, so more motorists and pedestrians will see it, he added.

"Of course, at some point it (the image) will fade," the mayor said, although he expects it will last for at least five years.

Clews said he's had a lot of positive feedback about the giant postcard.

"It's more good things," happening in Pottsville, he said.

Jeanette Triano Sinn, executive director of Servants to All, which provides services to combat homelessness, said that she was contacted about the project, which the nonprofit's board approved.

She also has received compliments about the postcard.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023