In a reversal of an often-seen pattern in which small-town organizations look to large cities for examples of innovation that can be scaled down and adapted, a group from the Pittsburgh-based Steel City Collaborative Housing Association visited Meadville last week, looking for lessons that could be applied back home.

“Meadville is serious about cooperative housing and creative ideas like this. These are some very unique things you’re doing here in Meadville,” said Randall Taylor, the association’s president, as he stood outside Meadville’s first accessory dwelling unit (ADU), which is under construction in the backyard of a home at 166 Walnut St.

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