Growing the Destination: Revitalizing Downtown Hershey

Abstract

Hershey, Pennsylvania, home to the famous Hershey's chocolate brand, has grown from a small factory village to a prosperous town of 15,000 residents, which in addition to chocolate making, also relies substantially on tourism and entertainment for its economic success. 3 million guests annually visit both Chocolate World and Hersheypark. Separating these attractions from downtown Hershey is a railroad line and right of way. Directly between the residential fabric of Hershey and the entertainment area is an historic core with a number of significant pre-World War II structures, in addition to contemporary attractions. All contribute to the prospect of a revitalized downtown. This thesis explores how architectural, urban design, and infrastructure interventions, particularly those on a downtown site with historic buildings, can improve the connection between the entertainment area and downtown Hershey, and can anchor a revitalized downtown. If successful, the destination might simply and all-inclusively be called Hershey.