Haynes Street & Walter R. Myton House

Haynes Street, a heavily traveled link between the East and West Hills areas connects Menoher Boulevard (SR 271) with the Johnstown Expressway (SR 56). In the 1980s, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation began plans to widen Haynes Street from a narrow two-lane corridor into a three-lane corridor with turning lanes.

PennDOT designed and bid the road improvements but as local sponsor, the City of Johnstown was responsible for acquisition of additional land and relocation of utilities. The Johnstown Redevelopment Authority acted as the agent for the City in conducting local sponsor activities in the widening of Haynes Street.

In obtaining the necessary rights-of-way, several buildings needed to be acquired and demolished. One of these properties, on the corner of Haynes and Napoleon Streets, was an outstanding example of turn of the century architectural design by local architect Walter R. Myton. The house was built in 1902 for Daniel Judy, who was the general superintendent of the Cambria Iron Works. The style of the house is colonial revival, with Queen Anne influences.

When the house was slated to be acquired and demolished, the Authority worked with Attorney Richard Russell to save the structure. Attorney Russell purchased the home in 1983 and funds were found for some of the relocation cost (in lieu of demolition). The Redevelopment Authority made excess land not needed for the relocation available and the house was moved 150 feet to clear the newly widened street. The improvement created by clearance and improvement of the structure at this end of the block generated an interest that in the space of a few years led to a plan to renovate the whole block using Tax Increment Financing.

The Redevelopment Authority is also actively involved with historic preservation work at the National Historic Landmark Cambria Iron Works Lower Works Complex.  To read more about activities at Cambria Iron check out the Lower Cambria Project page.