Businesses On Lansdale, Souderton-Telford Main Streets Poised For Comeback

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Malls and big box stores upset the traditional relationship between residents of boroughs and their Main Street businesses.

But thanks to revitalization plans that have unfolded over the last decade, Main Streets are being beautified and making a gradual comeback.

“I believe we can recreate much of the community feel that was alive in the era before the mall, but the new and improved downtown will reflect businesses and activity relevant to the current decade,” said Lansdale Borough Council member Mary Fuller.

“Communities don´t go downhill overnight. They aren´t going to come back overnight,” said Pam Coleman, manager of the Souderton-Telford Main Streets organization. “The reality is the boroughs (of Souderton and Telford) have been working on it 11 years. We´re fortunate that we have a committed council.”

Read more: http://business-news.thestreet.com/the-times-herald/story/businesses-lansdale-souderton-telford-main-streets-poised-comeback-0/1

Lansdale Borough Named “Classic Town” By Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

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Lansdale Borough was admitted to the 2011 Class of “Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia” by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission at a luncheon on Wednesday in Manayunk.  Lansdale shared the spotlight with Bordentown, NJ and Kennett Square.  Congrats!

Here is a list of some other towns who have been awarded this distinction:  Ardmore, Bristol, Collingswood, N.J., Germantown, Glassboro, N.J., Haddon Heights, N.J., Lansdowne, Manayunk, Media, Merchantville, N.J., Moorestown, N.J., New Hope, Overbrook Farms, Phoenixville; Wayne, Souderton-Telford, Ambler and West Chester.

Here is a list of what makes up a classic town:  a commercial main street, a mix of housing close to the main street, a Main Streets programs or a downtown development district contributing to economic development, plus demographic diversity, sidewalks and transit access ease.

There are opportunities that go along with this distinction such as local and regional branding assistance and being on a list with communities like New Hope, Ambler, Manayunk and Wayne, for starters.  You are known by the company you keep!

The Montgomery County Planning Commission recommended Lansdale to Classic Towns, according to Lansdale Borough Manager Timothea Kirchner.

Lansdale Gets Coveted “Classic Town” Status From Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

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Lansdale Borough was admitted to the 2011 Class of “Classic Towns of Greater Philadelphia” by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission at a luncheon on Wednesday in Manayunk.  Lansdale shared the spotlight with Bordentown, NJ and Kennett Square.  Congrats!

Here is a list of some other towns who have been awarded this distinction:  Ardmore, Bristol, Collingswood, N.J., Germantown, Glassboro, N.J., Haddon Heights, N.J., Lansdowne, Manayunk, Media, Merchantville, N.J., Moorestown, N.J., New Hope, Overbrook Farms, Phoenixville; Wayne, Souderton-Telford, Ambler and West Chester.

Here is a list of what makes up a classic town:  a commercial main street, a mix of housing close to the main street, a Main Streets programs or a downtown development district contributing to economic development, plus demographic diversity, sidewalks and transit access ease.

There are opportunities that go along with this distinction such as local and regional branding assistance and being on a list with communities like New Hope, Ambler, Manayunk and Wayne, for starters.  You are known by the company you keep!

The Montgomery County Planning Commission recommended Lansdale to Classic Towns, according to Lansdale Borough Manager Timothea Kirchner (a former Pottstown Borough staffer).

Lansdale Looks To “Beef Up” Economic Development Committee

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Lansdale Borough Council is looking to expand the size of their Economic Development Committee (EDC) in the next two months.  The EDC will expand to seven members, four of whom will be borough residents or borough business owners.  The other three members will be council members, by appointment.  The chair of the EDC will also be a councilor.

The strength of the EDC is that this committee is borough business focused by cutting red tape and being an advocate for business and not government focused.  The idea is not to create another budget item.

Wednesday evening, council gave approval to create an ordinance to formally establish the committee.  This came about by changes in legal requirements when council passed an economic incentive development ordinance last year.  The economic incentive development ordinance gives discounts on electricity purchased from the borough to qualified businesses.  Ordinance language mandates that any business who is interested in this program needs to go before the EDC.  Officially establishing this committee by ordinance was connecting all the dots.

The Lansdale Business Association (LBA) will also continue to stay involved with this committee by hopefully continuing to have an LBA member on the EDC.  The EDC will also be working closely with the Communications Commission.  The newly created Communications Commission is tasked with creating a “marketable brand” for the borough.  Initially the EDC and the Communications Commission will be working together to create an image and branding for Lansdale.

Once these tasks are completed, the EDC will take the newly developed brand image and market Lansdale.  The Communications Commission will be responsible for technology, signage, the website, attracting technology and keeping residents updated.

We give this well thought out effort, with expanded resident involvement, two Roy’s Rants thumbs up!

Lansdale Slated For Downtown Makeover

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Downtown Lansdale is getting “spruced up” soon thanks to a $500,000 federal grant procured by U.S. Representative Allyson Schwartz and an additional $1.8 million dollars in funding from the Transportation Equity Act of 2005.

A ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for January 24^th at Railroad Plaza, on the corner of Main and Madison Streets.  The construction will take place on several streets in downtown Lansdale.

New sidewalks, streetlights and (dare I say) shade trees are being added to bring curb appeal to the downtown shopping district.  Wonder if Mr. Hylton was consulted about this???  

The contractor, Wexcon Inc., will be establishing a construction headquarters in Lansdale, which is expected to cut costs.  Wexcon is trying to make the project minimally invasive to downtown merchants by doing construction in one block increments and on one side of the street at a time.  Sounds better than ripping up the entire downtown all at once!

A webcam installation is being considered so residents can watch the progress on the borough website.