As the first round of the Erie Downtown Development Corporation's construction projects near completion, the organization is shifting its focus on to the future.

EDDC CEO Drew Whiting met with members of the community on Friday, to talk about both past and upcoming projects.

From the Flagship City Food Hall and Flagship City Public Market, to the ASCEND Erie rock climbing gym, since 2017, the organization has developed nearly $113 million worth of properties in downtown Erie.

"There's an energy and a momentum in this city and it's important that we harness it, that we seize on that as a community and we don't do things the old Erie way," said Whiting. "We're not going to let this drop and I'm not going to let it drop."

The EDDC is now planning to build a new $16 million building, known as the Flagship Commons.

"I think more people know it as where Coconut Joe's used to sit," said Whiting. "That project is really the keystone of this first phase."

The building will connect the food hall to the public market and will provide a combination of retail and office space.

"It's going to be a largely public space serving as a connector, a center for public art installations, for musicians to perform, and for new local food service vendors and retailers to set up shop downtown in our core," said Whiting. "The project is one that we are really looking forward to."

According to Whiting, it's all part of the organization's plan for long-term sustainability.

"The next six to 36 months are crucial for this town's recovery," said Whiting. "We see our role in that as one that makes sure it continues to move in the right direction and I'm really confident that we're going to be able to do that."