Souderton Borough Council, the Souderton-Telford Main Streets Program, and the Souderton Area School Board have joined together for a new stage in development. As construction nears completion on the new high school in Franconia Township, the school district has moved forward in marketing the Souderton Area High School property for sale. The development of this property poses many challenges, but presents many community benefits. The plans we create must address many borough-wide and regional issues.
As we shape our plans for sound land use and community development, we are setting the stage to encourage residents and developers to work together to craft Souderton’s revitalization. We look to our residents, businesses, and property owners to be a part of the major planning process.
Borough Council members believe that they and other residents must be proactive in visualizing the future redevelopment of the high school property, our core downtown business district, and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. Further, a cohesive plan and conceptual framework may help us attract investors and open opportunities for economic redevelopment grants.
Revitalization is Borough-wide
In general, Souderton’s revitalization is about building a stronger infrastructure to attract businesses and residents while enhancing the look and feel of Souderton. As the borough’s streetscape plan evolves, Borough Council hopes to address long-term issues of traffic calming, pedestrian comfort and safety, landscaping, and parking. Planning elements may also include the review of zoning, building, subdivision, and land development ordinances; infrastructure needs; and regional development.
Here are some of the ways Souderton is revitalizing the borough:
High School Redevelopment Project
The goal of the High School Redevelopment Project is to balance the opportunity for economic development without negatively impacting infrastructure, surrounding residential and commercial properties, elementary schools, and current and future revitalization efforts. Souderton Borough Council appointed DePallo Design and Planning to assist the Borough in this planning effort.
After proposing a total of 7 plans in April and May, Victor DePallo presented a final conceptual sketch at a public meeting in June. The design serves as a guide, or suggestion, for interested developers for the overlay district, which is modeled towards a village commercial development. It suggests 55-and-up housing along East Chestnut Street, and retail and commercial uses along East Broad Street. The plan also includes suggested areas of open space, plazas and other amenities. Read about the draft overlay district ordinance and the next step in the process.
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Main Street Parking Lot Construction
Souderton’s new Main Street parking lot opened in fall 2007. Crews will resume work when the weather improves to connect the lot to areas behind 121 and 143 Main Street. The connecting drives will help improve the circulation of traffic between the buildings and expand on shared parking opportunities.
Our Comprehensive Streetscape Plan
We completed the first phase of our Streetscape Plan in our downtown core, between Chestnut Street and Hillside Avenue. In 2007 we began the construction of the new municipal parking lot at Hillside Avenue. We also added new street furniture. In 2008, we will begin the second phase of our Streetscape Plan between Chestnut Street and Broad Street, which will include new sidewalks, granite curbs, street lights, and some new street parking spaces.
Souderton Borough Council has awarded a planning contract to Hunt Engineering Company in Malvern, Pa., to complete a master Streetscape Plan for the remaining sections of Main Street from Hillside Avenue to Reliance Road, and along Broad Street from Penn Avenue to County Line Road. Future public presentations on this large planning effort will be presented this summer and fall.
Renovations of Downtown Buildings
With help from the Souderton-Telford Main Streets Program, local businesses are improving the look of their downtown buildings. The program continues with its efforts to support growth and market the downtown area as a unique destination. Privately funded renovations of downtown buildings are also helping our revitalization efforts. 117. N. Main Street, which houses Allebach Advertising, was recently renovated, and 121 E. Chestnut Street, home of the District Justice Office, was recently built. Visit the developer’s website to view more completed projects and read about projects in progress and ones proposed for the future.
To receive e-mail updates when planning activities are scheduled, sign up for Borough eNews. Or, contact us by phone at 215-723-4371.
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