A small group of people came out to celebrate the first step toward a new civic plaza Saturday.

Despite rainy weather, state Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-18th, and state Rep. Daniel McNeill, D-133rd, joined Coplay officials at Second and Chestnut streets for a ribbon cutting.

They were celebrating the fact that Giant Food donated land next to the store to the borough for development into a civic plaza.

"Thanks to everybody for coming out with this crummy weather," said Coplay Councilman Steve Burker.

A small blue tent provided by planning commission member John Mullner protected Burker and other guests from the cold rain and wind.

"This is really an important move for us. This is a first step," Mayor Joseph Bundra said, adding that every town likes to have "something pretty" to show off. This plaza will be Coplay's "something pretty."

"What we're going to do is gather input from the people of Coplay on what they'd like to see here," Burker told The Press during an interview Friday. Burker also chairs the borough parks and recreation commission, which is working with the borough planning commission on the plaza project.

Some amenities already being discussed include a four-sided clock similar to one in Bath Borough and an electronic message board, Burker said. Other ideas, such as gazebos and benches, also are being considered.

"We're not intending for the taxpayers of Coplay to pay for it," said Coplay Councilman Charles Sodl, who also chairs the planning commission. Officials plan to seek corporate sponsorships, donations and grants to make the plaza a reality.

A civic plaza at this location has been considered for some time. In fact, it is noted in the borough's comprehensive plan. However, unlike the plaza shown in the plan, this plaza will not include any parking spaces.

Burker said Friday parking spaces would take away from other things that could go into the plaza. In addition, officials don't want people parking at the plaza to patronize local businesses that don't have their own lots.

Burker could not provide a cost estimate because plans have not been finalized. Once plaza amenities are chosen, the first step will be to select an engineering firm to create a plan.

"I'm trying to picture what people are going to see," Burker said. "This is going to be like the Gateway to Coplay Project."

The plaza will be the first thing people see when they cross the bridge from Northampton into the borough, he said.

Under sunny skies early afternoon Friday, public works employee Scott Weller and public works Director Scott Boyle installed a large banner telling people the tract is the future site of a civic plaza.

Sodl, who led efforts to acquire the land for a plaza, said Friday the borough had been working for a year to get the land and finally secured it in September.

"When I looked at this, I just saw it as a spot that should be used," he said. "This is an asset to the borough."

During the ceremony Saturday, dignitaries said they agree with Sodl.

"This would be a perfect place to have a plaza like this," said Boscola.

"When this project gets going, please keep me involved," said McNeill. "I'm sure our union brothers will donate time."

McNeill and Boscola joined Burker, Sodl and other Coplay officials for a ribbon cutting using big scissors and ribbon supplied by Laura Long, executive of the Whitehall Area Chamber of Commerce.