From the (Tucson) Arizona Daily Star. The immediate focus is, not surprisingly, Arizona. The concepts are applicable worldwide. Quotes like, "...infrastructure is what we build today for our children and grandchildren..." and "Are we going to make investments to secure the well-being, quality of life and competitiveness of our children and grandchildren?" need serious consideration.
The Center for Competitiveness and Prosperity Research has the full series of reports available.
Investing in the future of our children
By Michael M. Crow
Special to the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona | Published: 11.24.2008
With demographic projections suggesting the likelihood that within the next quarter-century more than 10 million Americans will call Arizona home, our state must confront unprecedented challenges as it matures and in terms of population becomes one of the 10 largest states in the union — larger than New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois and probably Pennsylvania.
Chief among these challenges is adequate investment in infrastructure — roads, transit, electricity, drinking water, telecommunications, but also health care and public safety and the educational infrastructure of our public schools and the three state universities.
Last Monday Arizona State University was honored to welcome elected policy-makers and prominent leaders from the public and private sectors to the forum "Preparing for an Arizona of 10 Million People: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges of Growth." The purpose of the gathering, tagged "Arizona 2030," was to address some of the major challenges facing the state's public and private sectors as a result of rapid growth.
While there was broad agreement that our success is contingent on an optimal infrastructure, I would argue that when it comes to reaching the consensus required for policy to advance and investment to be made, Arizonans still lack a sufficient sense of clarity and urgency.
Despite chronic underinvestment in our state's infrastructure, contentious debate over whether or not we should commit to meet the infrastructure needs of the present and future prevents us from acting in our own self- interest.
Perhaps some perspective may be required: Put simply, infrastructure is what we build today for our children and grandchildren. If we look back across the generations who came before us, most were generally well-served by an infrastructure commensurate with the population and needs of the era.
One need only consider the tens of thousands of public schools and the hundreds of great universities that have been built across the country. Railroads operating in the private sector were given massive land grants by the federal government, and canals were advanced through government investment succeeded by private-sector operation.
Throughout our history our success stories have been made possible by government helping to lay down the foundation of the infrastructure and then bridging to the private sector that in turn found some way to prosper.
At the epicenter of our national future — that is the American West — critical decisions regarding the course we take must be made:
● Should we invest in an enhanced quality of life with some sense of collective identity as fellow citizens, or is everybody just out for themselves?
● Can we fathom the extent of our interrelatedness in the global economy and the mounting ferocity of competition from abroad?
● Will we continue to deliberate over infrastructure while most economies in the developed world simply move forward with investments required for success and then engage the private sector?
● Can we find a way to destigmatize and depoliticize concepts like planning and market-driven solutions, and practices like tolls and user fees?
● Can we grasp that infrastructure is not an expense but the basis from which we will attain economic competitiveness?
While the implementation of infrastructure projects may prove challenging, our decision to make a commitment need not be so very complicated after all: Are we going to make investments to secure the well-being, quality of life and competitiveness of our children and grandchildren? Will we lay down the infrastructure they will need so that their market-driven private-sector ambitions can be erected on a platform equal to or greater than that which we enjoyed?
Such deliberation should transcend partisanship. We need to make a decision about whether or not we can find a way to meet today's needs and still invest for tomorrow — for the future of our children and grandchildren.
On StarNet: "Preparing for an Arizona of 10 Million People: Meeting the Infrastructure Challenges of Growth," a study, was done by the Center for Competitiveness and Prosperity Research at the W.P. Carey School of Business and is available in a database that aggregates growth analysis, opinion and documents. The report is available at: azstarnet.com/special/growthresources
The Arizona State University Office of the President Web site is http://president.asu.edu/
Showing posts with label development in other towns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label development in other towns. Show all posts
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Train Comes to Morrisville?
From the BCCT.
Train stop part of study
A SEPTA official says there are no immediate plans to put a train station in the borough.
By DANNY ADLER
Brian Miller, who provided a Renaissance Plan to Penndel and sketches of “the new Croydon” to Bristol Township officials, wants to do a similar study for Morrisville.
Miller, of the Miller Design Group in Newtown Township, and the borough’s economic development corporation want to study the possibility of a new transit-oriented Morrisville, a town that has for years yearned for a revitalized downtown.
A “transit revitalization investment district,” or TRID, aims to generate redevelopment and construction projects in an area anchored by mass transit and walk-ability, Miller said. The district would encompass a half-mile boundary in what Miller called the central section of the borough.
Of course, the borough would need a train station along SEPTA’s R7 rail line to make it work, but SEPTA has no immediate plans to restore service to Morrisville, according to company spokesman Felipe Suarez. SEPTA discontinued its Morrisville station in the 1960s.
“This program is really about transit,” Miller said. “Transit has to be the centerpiece.”
The borough could receive up to $75,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the project’s planning process if the state approves the grant money, with a maximum $25,000 local match.
The borough council didn’t take any action after a presentation at its October meeting.
Council President Nancy Sherlock said officials need to find out more about the plan. She said the council owes it to its constituents and to the economic development corporation, whose members are appointed by the council, “to hear it out.”
Officials are trying to schedule a meeting with the borough council, the economic development corporation, the DCED and possibly SEPTA.
“The economic development corporation is always looking for ways to improve the economic vitality of the town,” said Steve Amend, the corporation chairman. He said Morrisville needs a “workable plan,” and believes developers would show interest in the borough with a TRID plan.
Penndel’s Renaissance Plan includes a hotel, supermarket, drugstore, office space, amphitheater, art studios, apartments and acres of open space.
The new Croydon plan includes office parks, outdoor theaters, a 17-acre environmental center and a multi-story transit center, eight marinas, a skatepark and hundreds of acres of existing homes cleared for open space.
Train stop part of study
A SEPTA official says there are no immediate plans to put a train station in the borough.
By DANNY ADLER
Brian Miller, who provided a Renaissance Plan to Penndel and sketches of “the new Croydon” to Bristol Township officials, wants to do a similar study for Morrisville.
Miller, of the Miller Design Group in Newtown Township, and the borough’s economic development corporation want to study the possibility of a new transit-oriented Morrisville, a town that has for years yearned for a revitalized downtown.
A “transit revitalization investment district,” or TRID, aims to generate redevelopment and construction projects in an area anchored by mass transit and walk-ability, Miller said. The district would encompass a half-mile boundary in what Miller called the central section of the borough.
Of course, the borough would need a train station along SEPTA’s R7 rail line to make it work, but SEPTA has no immediate plans to restore service to Morrisville, according to company spokesman Felipe Suarez. SEPTA discontinued its Morrisville station in the 1960s.
“This program is really about transit,” Miller said. “Transit has to be the centerpiece.”
The borough could receive up to $75,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for the project’s planning process if the state approves the grant money, with a maximum $25,000 local match.
The borough council didn’t take any action after a presentation at its October meeting.
Council President Nancy Sherlock said officials need to find out more about the plan. She said the council owes it to its constituents and to the economic development corporation, whose members are appointed by the council, “to hear it out.”
Officials are trying to schedule a meeting with the borough council, the economic development corporation, the DCED and possibly SEPTA.
“The economic development corporation is always looking for ways to improve the economic vitality of the town,” said Steve Amend, the corporation chairman. He said Morrisville needs a “workable plan,” and believes developers would show interest in the borough with a TRID plan.
Penndel’s Renaissance Plan includes a hotel, supermarket, drugstore, office space, amphitheater, art studios, apartments and acres of open space.
The new Croydon plan includes office parks, outdoor theaters, a 17-acre environmental center and a multi-story transit center, eight marinas, a skatepark and hundreds of acres of existing homes cleared for open space.
Monday, September 29, 2008
First Suburbs: "Pursuing an agenda of change"
From the Norristown Times Herald
Pursuing an agenda of change
MELISSA BROOKS, Times Herald Staff 09/29/2008
A common interest in revitalizing Philadelphia's oldest suburbs brought hundreds of people to St. Patrick's R.C. Church in Norristown on Sunday in an event that ended with Gov. Ed Rendell leading attendees in a rendition of the Philadelphia Eagles' fight song.
More than 500 community leaders representing more than 100 organizations from established suburbs of four Southeastern Pennsylvania counties attempted to shift the focus "from Wall Street to Main Street" as the Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project, a nonpartisan, regional coalition of community leaders, unveiled its regional agenda and asked elected officials to join their cause.
Through out the past 18 months community leaders committed to reviving the older suburbs of Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware counties met in working groups to study and identify issues that most affect the health and prosperity of their communities.
"We are united in this place pursuing an agenda of change," Father William Murphy, pastor of St. Patrick's Church said at the start of the program.
A First Suburbs Project founding member and Yeadon Borough Councilwoman Jacquelynn Puriefoy-Brinkley explained "first suburbs" is a term used to describe communities like Norristown, Ambler, Upper Darby and Lansdowne, older towns that are now "victims of suburban sprawl."
"They're viable, pedestrian friendly communities with parks, trees, churches and synagogues and public transit access," she said, "with problems bigger than we can solve on our own."
A couple of gatherings between community leaders in the past year - a December 2007 summit at Bryn Mawr College and a May 2008 issues convention at Bishop McDevitt High School in Glenside - helped the coalition identify common challenges their towns face: Struggling school districts, diminishing economic development and declining infrastructure.
The DeKalb Street church was packed as First Suburbs Project representatives unveiled their "agenda for change" centered on three policy areas aimed at revitalizing the region, issues that Norristown Councilman Bill Caldwell said are vital to the economic redevelopment of many towns. "We speak with one voice," he said.
Norristown Municipal Administrator David Forrest addressed Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III regarding housing issues.
Hoeffel and other elected officials were asked to seek housing policies and funding streams that help promote greater socioeconomic balance and diversity throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
First Suburbs also called on Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to create a comprehensive regional housing plan in the next year. Hoeffel committed to the coalition's housing requests and said DVRPC "has not focused on housing, and it is time for us to do so."
John McKelligot, former President of William Penn School District, said schools in first suburbs are inadequately funded, despite the fact that such communities "shoulder the highest tax burden."
He asked state Rep. Nicholas A. Micozzie, R-163rd Dist., and state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D- 153rd Dist., to back a state formula for financing public education that guarantees every school district has adequate resources to provide quality education to students, without overtaxing local residents "to provide what is ultimately a statewide responsibility."
Introducing the third action issue, Jenkintown Borough Councilman Michael Golden said first suburbs can no longer afford to carry the burden of managing water flowing downstream from newer communities into their towns' older systems.
He asked elected officials promote reinvesting in the region's deteriorating storm water and sanitary sewer systems before committing to new investments.
After the issues were revealed, Puriefoy-Brinkley said the First Suburbs Project seeks to "build powerful alliances with state and national government.
"This year is different," she said. "We will not be taken for granted. Because this year we're organized."
Rendell congratulated coalition members for their civic involvement and told them not to become discouraged if initially their goals are not realized. "Civic action is a marathon, not a sprint," he said.
He encouraged First Suburbs volunteers to contact their legislators daily and agreed to set up a meeting between the coalition's leadership and the National Governor's Association. "Your cause is right and just," he said.
There were a few elected officials who called the coalition's agenda items "too general," among them, Rep. Greg S. Vitali, D-166th Dist. and Sen. Anthony H. Williams.
"What are we saying yes to?" Williams asked. "For us to say yes to spending money is, frankly, bogus. We need to talk about how we're spending money."
Puriefoy-Brinkley said the First Suburbs Project's purpose is to make education finance, housing and infrastructure issues a priority now and in coming years. "We depend on the people we elect to serve us to fight on our behalf," she said.
The 600 people who filled the church, according to Puriefoy-Brinkley, represented thousands of active citizens across the region. "When we send you to represent us, we want you to be willing to listen to us. That's what we're asking for; that's what we're insisting upon." The crowd stood and applauded.
Lansdowne Borough Mayor Jayne Young also drew applause when she said, "This is a crisis of Main Street America, not Wall Street.
"Established communities must be supported," Young continued. "They are our most economically and racially diverse neighborhoods.
"A comprehensive regional approach makes the best use of tax dollars, reduces disparities, promotes diversity and ensures good schools. It's about fairness for Main Street, because we are just as valuable as Wall Street."
Pursuing an agenda of change
MELISSA BROOKS, Times Herald Staff 09/29/2008
A common interest in revitalizing Philadelphia's oldest suburbs brought hundreds of people to St. Patrick's R.C. Church in Norristown on Sunday in an event that ended with Gov. Ed Rendell leading attendees in a rendition of the Philadelphia Eagles' fight song.
More than 500 community leaders representing more than 100 organizations from established suburbs of four Southeastern Pennsylvania counties attempted to shift the focus "from Wall Street to Main Street" as the Southeastern Pennsylvania First Suburbs Project, a nonpartisan, regional coalition of community leaders, unveiled its regional agenda and asked elected officials to join their cause.
Through out the past 18 months community leaders committed to reviving the older suburbs of Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware counties met in working groups to study and identify issues that most affect the health and prosperity of their communities.
"We are united in this place pursuing an agenda of change," Father William Murphy, pastor of St. Patrick's Church said at the start of the program.
A First Suburbs Project founding member and Yeadon Borough Councilwoman Jacquelynn Puriefoy-Brinkley explained "first suburbs" is a term used to describe communities like Norristown, Ambler, Upper Darby and Lansdowne, older towns that are now "victims of suburban sprawl."
"They're viable, pedestrian friendly communities with parks, trees, churches and synagogues and public transit access," she said, "with problems bigger than we can solve on our own."
A couple of gatherings between community leaders in the past year - a December 2007 summit at Bryn Mawr College and a May 2008 issues convention at Bishop McDevitt High School in Glenside - helped the coalition identify common challenges their towns face: Struggling school districts, diminishing economic development and declining infrastructure.
The DeKalb Street church was packed as First Suburbs Project representatives unveiled their "agenda for change" centered on three policy areas aimed at revitalizing the region, issues that Norristown Councilman Bill Caldwell said are vital to the economic redevelopment of many towns. "We speak with one voice," he said.
Norristown Municipal Administrator David Forrest addressed Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III regarding housing issues.
Hoeffel and other elected officials were asked to seek housing policies and funding streams that help promote greater socioeconomic balance and diversity throughout southeastern Pennsylvania.
First Suburbs also called on Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission to create a comprehensive regional housing plan in the next year. Hoeffel committed to the coalition's housing requests and said DVRPC "has not focused on housing, and it is time for us to do so."
John McKelligot, former President of William Penn School District, said schools in first suburbs are inadequately funded, despite the fact that such communities "shoulder the highest tax burden."
He asked state Rep. Nicholas A. Micozzie, R-163rd Dist., and state Rep. Josh Shapiro, D- 153rd Dist., to back a state formula for financing public education that guarantees every school district has adequate resources to provide quality education to students, without overtaxing local residents "to provide what is ultimately a statewide responsibility."
Introducing the third action issue, Jenkintown Borough Councilman Michael Golden said first suburbs can no longer afford to carry the burden of managing water flowing downstream from newer communities into their towns' older systems.
He asked elected officials promote reinvesting in the region's deteriorating storm water and sanitary sewer systems before committing to new investments.
After the issues were revealed, Puriefoy-Brinkley said the First Suburbs Project seeks to "build powerful alliances with state and national government.
"This year is different," she said. "We will not be taken for granted. Because this year we're organized."
Rendell congratulated coalition members for their civic involvement and told them not to become discouraged if initially their goals are not realized. "Civic action is a marathon, not a sprint," he said.
He encouraged First Suburbs volunteers to contact their legislators daily and agreed to set up a meeting between the coalition's leadership and the National Governor's Association. "Your cause is right and just," he said.
There were a few elected officials who called the coalition's agenda items "too general," among them, Rep. Greg S. Vitali, D-166th Dist. and Sen. Anthony H. Williams.
"What are we saying yes to?" Williams asked. "For us to say yes to spending money is, frankly, bogus. We need to talk about how we're spending money."
Puriefoy-Brinkley said the First Suburbs Project's purpose is to make education finance, housing and infrastructure issues a priority now and in coming years. "We depend on the people we elect to serve us to fight on our behalf," she said.
The 600 people who filled the church, according to Puriefoy-Brinkley, represented thousands of active citizens across the region. "When we send you to represent us, we want you to be willing to listen to us. That's what we're asking for; that's what we're insisting upon." The crowd stood and applauded.
Lansdowne Borough Mayor Jayne Young also drew applause when she said, "This is a crisis of Main Street America, not Wall Street.
"Established communities must be supported," Young continued. "They are our most economically and racially diverse neighborhoods.
"A comprehensive regional approach makes the best use of tax dollars, reduces disparities, promotes diversity and ensures good schools. It's about fairness for Main Street, because we are just as valuable as Wall Street."
Sunday, September 28, 2008
"The schools need to be renewed to attract new residents."
From the Norristown Times Herald. I wonder if anyone from the Morrisville Borough Council or the Morrisville School Board would attend or host a similar conference right here at home.
Event to address suburban issues
CARL ROTENBERG, Times Herald Staff, 09/27/2008
NORRISTOWN - The problems of ever-increasing school budgets, crumbling water and sewer infrastructure and blighted housing in the Philadelphia suburbs will be addressed Sunday afternoon in a unique "First Suburbs" public forum at St. Patrick's R.C. Church.
The 4 to 6 p.m. public program will feature Gov. Ed Rendell with 600 elected and appointed officials from Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware counties. It is free and open to the public, but requires pre-registration.
A coalition of clergy and public officials organized the agenda to address problems specific to the first-ring suburbs adjacent to Philadelphia.
John McKelligott, the former school board president of William Penn School District in eastern Delaware County, will talk about reducing unfunded state and federal mandates for local school districts while increasing the funding base for schools.
"This is about fighting blight and preventing blight in the older suburbs. One prime issue are the financially burdensome school districts that cost more than the residents can pay," McKelligott said. "The schools need to be renewed to attract new residents."
McKelligott praised Rendell's education budget for making the school funding system "reasonable and equitable."
"We need to proceed with this school financing going forward," he said. "We need to diminish the excessive property tax burden on older communities."
McKelligott argued that because school taxes are a big chunk of the total tax burden it inhibits township government from creating innovative programs.
"The First Suburbs program will present our needs and our petitions to significant state legislators and public officials," McKelligott said.
Several area state representatives are slated to attend the forum.
State Rep. Jay Moyer, R-70th Dist., said he was in agreement with the First Suburbs agenda and will attend.
"I'm in synch with what they want to do. The revitalization of Norristown is one of my top priority items," Moyer said.
"On the school finance reform, I was proud to vote for the additional $1.5 million for the Norristown Area School District," Moyer said. "We changed the formula around and the governor agreed."
Moyer will support a $100 million earmark from the federal government for water and sewer repairs in Pennsylvania.
"I've been working with (Sen.) Arlen Specter's office on this," Moyer said.
David Forrest, the Norristown Municipal Administrator, is looking forward to the forum.
"The aim of the project is to bring all the community leaders together to identify the challenges we all have in common and ask our legislative leaders to support us in addressing those challenges," Forrest said.
"We've gotten over 400 people who have pre-registered," Forrest said. "We're expecting at least 200 on Sunday who have not registered yet."
Father William Murphy of St. Patrick's Church, said the church hierarchy had decided to host the event "because it will bring together people of different faiths and anyone interested in the welfare of Norristown."
Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III, state Rep. Lawrence Curry, D-154th Dist., and eight state senators and representatives from neighboring districts will attend the forum.
The William Penn Foundation and several charitable organizations are sponsoring the forum.
"After this convention we'll come away with a work plan to put this into action," said Alison Murawski, the communications manager of Good Schools Pennsylvania. "We will see more gatherings of this organization and discussions on how we will roll out this agenda."
Event to address suburban issues
CARL ROTENBERG, Times Herald Staff, 09/27/2008
NORRISTOWN - The problems of ever-increasing school budgets, crumbling water and sewer infrastructure and blighted housing in the Philadelphia suburbs will be addressed Sunday afternoon in a unique "First Suburbs" public forum at St. Patrick's R.C. Church.
The 4 to 6 p.m. public program will feature Gov. Ed Rendell with 600 elected and appointed officials from Montgomery, Chester, Bucks and Delaware counties. It is free and open to the public, but requires pre-registration.
A coalition of clergy and public officials organized the agenda to address problems specific to the first-ring suburbs adjacent to Philadelphia.
John McKelligott, the former school board president of William Penn School District in eastern Delaware County, will talk about reducing unfunded state and federal mandates for local school districts while increasing the funding base for schools.
"This is about fighting blight and preventing blight in the older suburbs. One prime issue are the financially burdensome school districts that cost more than the residents can pay," McKelligott said. "The schools need to be renewed to attract new residents."
McKelligott praised Rendell's education budget for making the school funding system "reasonable and equitable."
"We need to proceed with this school financing going forward," he said. "We need to diminish the excessive property tax burden on older communities."
McKelligott argued that because school taxes are a big chunk of the total tax burden it inhibits township government from creating innovative programs.
"The First Suburbs program will present our needs and our petitions to significant state legislators and public officials," McKelligott said.
Several area state representatives are slated to attend the forum.
State Rep. Jay Moyer, R-70th Dist., said he was in agreement with the First Suburbs agenda and will attend.
"I'm in synch with what they want to do. The revitalization of Norristown is one of my top priority items," Moyer said.
"On the school finance reform, I was proud to vote for the additional $1.5 million for the Norristown Area School District," Moyer said. "We changed the formula around and the governor agreed."
Moyer will support a $100 million earmark from the federal government for water and sewer repairs in Pennsylvania.
"I've been working with (Sen.) Arlen Specter's office on this," Moyer said.
David Forrest, the Norristown Municipal Administrator, is looking forward to the forum.
"The aim of the project is to bring all the community leaders together to identify the challenges we all have in common and ask our legislative leaders to support us in addressing those challenges," Forrest said.
"We've gotten over 400 people who have pre-registered," Forrest said. "We're expecting at least 200 on Sunday who have not registered yet."
Father William Murphy of St. Patrick's Church, said the church hierarchy had decided to host the event "because it will bring together people of different faiths and anyone interested in the welfare of Norristown."
Montgomery County Commissioner Joseph M. Hoeffel III, state Rep. Lawrence Curry, D-154th Dist., and eight state senators and representatives from neighboring districts will attend the forum.
The William Penn Foundation and several charitable organizations are sponsoring the forum.
"After this convention we'll come away with a work plan to put this into action," said Alison Murawski, the communications manager of Good Schools Pennsylvania. "We will see more gatherings of this organization and discussions on how we will roll out this agenda."
Monday, September 8, 2008
2004: "Morrisville brimming with potential"
Almost four years later, other than Cloverleaf, where are any of these items?
Borough Council members? Anything you would like to say? This was two whole election cycles ago.
Waterfront study: Morrisville brimming with potential
By: JEFF WERNER 12/16/2004
A marina with retail shops and moderately priced living units and a transportation hub in the center of the downtown area are just a few of the ideas included in a vision for Morrisville Borough being put forth as part of a comprehensive study of the Bucks County waterfront.
Representatives from Urban Design and Planning, a consulting firm hired by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to draft a visioning plan for the corridor, met with Morrisville leaders during a special meeting.
The plan could be a potential boon to the long overlooked Manor Park section of town, located south of Route One, with the potential for major access to the Delaware River and close to 100 acres of redevelopable property.
"The first ward of Morrisville is going to be the renassiance of Morrisville," predicted council president Jane Burger. "This is where you have the opportunities for access to the river, where you have some open space, a walkway along the river and development potential. I just want to jump up and down with excitement. This could be tremendous for us."
If everything comes together as planned, Burger said the plan envisions people walking along the river passed a conglomeration of new businesses, recreational uses and higher end housing in the Manor Park section of the town.
Specifically, the riverfront plan incorporates several major ideas put forth by borough officials, including the potential of a transportation hub supported by a complementary transit-oriented development at the Toll Brothers site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
"A transit station there would certainly enhance our property values, provide easy transportation and bring in more retail development. That would be exciting for us to see in our downtown area," said Burger.
The transit hub envisions both a SEPTA and New Jersey Transit stop and the potential of an exclusive access road linking the hub with express Route One to lessen the traffic impact on local roads. In addition, a parking garage could produce revenue for the borough, said Burger.
The hub would be a particular boon to the nearby downtown Bridge Street area.
"Because we're a borough, we have a town center that can be developed and we have a downtown," said Burger. "We don't have a lot of blocks, but we can be very concentrated and very visible."
Burger points to the recently enhanced corner of South Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street where the statue of Robert Morris now stands. "It's just another enhancement for our downtown. It's another gateway for the town."
Much of the riverfront plan, however, is targeted south of Bridge Street in the Manor Park neighborhoods.
There, the plan envisions opening up the Morrisville Borough riverfront to public access, with new pedestrian and bicycle routes along the entire waterfront from Bridge Street to Falls Township.
According to the plan, "New marinas, with nearby mixed use development, would give residents recreational access to the river. An over-50 housing complex would be located nearby. The park along West Post Road will be enhanced. New residential development, as well as a small amount of mixed use, would occur along South Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Township. Public open space would be located along the Delaware River from Morrisville's northern border to Biles Island, and a riverwalk would extend the length of the redevelopment area."
"Bringing the public to the river is important," said Burger. "We already have the walk along the river levee," said Burger. "With this, we would continue it southward and tie it into Falls. It would make a very nice walk."
The study also recommends opening the Manor Park riverfront to potential redevelopment, with new retail outlets, recreational opportunities and housing units.
A major component of that puzzle is the Staley property, which the plan envisions as one day being replaced by a marina with retail shops, residential units and access to the Delaware River.
The next step, said Burger, will be to decide what is the best mix of retail, recreational and housing.
"It's a dream for us in the future if it becomes available," said Burger, of the Staley site, "but we have to put our plans and ideas on paper now. This is putting a plan in place for how we would like to see it developed. We have $2 million available. We know there is a price tag. We just need to get things into place before you go to the table with an option."
Already in the works is the redevelopment of the Cloverleaf Diner site into between 40 and 80 units of age-restricted units. The council has already heard several development proposals for the site and is expected to hear at least one more at its December 14 meeting before making a decision.
Also on the radar screen in Manor Park is the future of the Piciotti's property. The potential exists for the development of housing around what is now a landlocked borough-owned lake.
"If there's housing around there, what a beautiful view it would make," said Burger. "We could put some public access in there so people can go in there and fish or maybe have a few little paddle boats."
In addition, Falls Township is working closely with Morrisville to change the nature of South Pennsylvania Avenue from industrial to residential and commercial to complement adjacent areas of Morrisville Borough.
"Falls is rethinking this whole area," said council president Jane Burger, pointing to a map of South Pennsylvania Avenue. "It certainly will enhance Pennsylvania Avenue which is really not inviting right now."
Borough Council members? Anything you would like to say? This was two whole election cycles ago.
Waterfront study: Morrisville brimming with potential
By: JEFF WERNER 12/16/2004
A marina with retail shops and moderately priced living units and a transportation hub in the center of the downtown area are just a few of the ideas included in a vision for Morrisville Borough being put forth as part of a comprehensive study of the Bucks County waterfront.
Representatives from Urban Design and Planning, a consulting firm hired by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to draft a visioning plan for the corridor, met with Morrisville leaders during a special meeting.
The plan could be a potential boon to the long overlooked Manor Park section of town, located south of Route One, with the potential for major access to the Delaware River and close to 100 acres of redevelopable property.
"The first ward of Morrisville is going to be the renassiance of Morrisville," predicted council president Jane Burger. "This is where you have the opportunities for access to the river, where you have some open space, a walkway along the river and development potential. I just want to jump up and down with excitement. This could be tremendous for us."
If everything comes together as planned, Burger said the plan envisions people walking along the river passed a conglomeration of new businesses, recreational uses and higher end housing in the Manor Park section of the town.
Specifically, the riverfront plan incorporates several major ideas put forth by borough officials, including the potential of a transportation hub supported by a complementary transit-oriented development at the Toll Brothers site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
"A transit station there would certainly enhance our property values, provide easy transportation and bring in more retail development. That would be exciting for us to see in our downtown area," said Burger.
The transit hub envisions both a SEPTA and New Jersey Transit stop and the potential of an exclusive access road linking the hub with express Route One to lessen the traffic impact on local roads. In addition, a parking garage could produce revenue for the borough, said Burger.
The hub would be a particular boon to the nearby downtown Bridge Street area.
"Because we're a borough, we have a town center that can be developed and we have a downtown," said Burger. "We don't have a lot of blocks, but we can be very concentrated and very visible."
Burger points to the recently enhanced corner of South Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street where the statue of Robert Morris now stands. "It's just another enhancement for our downtown. It's another gateway for the town."
Much of the riverfront plan, however, is targeted south of Bridge Street in the Manor Park neighborhoods.
There, the plan envisions opening up the Morrisville Borough riverfront to public access, with new pedestrian and bicycle routes along the entire waterfront from Bridge Street to Falls Township.
According to the plan, "New marinas, with nearby mixed use development, would give residents recreational access to the river. An over-50 housing complex would be located nearby. The park along West Post Road will be enhanced. New residential development, as well as a small amount of mixed use, would occur along South Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Township. Public open space would be located along the Delaware River from Morrisville's northern border to Biles Island, and a riverwalk would extend the length of the redevelopment area."
"Bringing the public to the river is important," said Burger. "We already have the walk along the river levee," said Burger. "With this, we would continue it southward and tie it into Falls. It would make a very nice walk."
The study also recommends opening the Manor Park riverfront to potential redevelopment, with new retail outlets, recreational opportunities and housing units.
A major component of that puzzle is the Staley property, which the plan envisions as one day being replaced by a marina with retail shops, residential units and access to the Delaware River.
The next step, said Burger, will be to decide what is the best mix of retail, recreational and housing.
"It's a dream for us in the future if it becomes available," said Burger, of the Staley site, "but we have to put our plans and ideas on paper now. This is putting a plan in place for how we would like to see it developed. We have $2 million available. We know there is a price tag. We just need to get things into place before you go to the table with an option."
Already in the works is the redevelopment of the Cloverleaf Diner site into between 40 and 80 units of age-restricted units. The council has already heard several development proposals for the site and is expected to hear at least one more at its December 14 meeting before making a decision.
Also on the radar screen in Manor Park is the future of the Piciotti's property. The potential exists for the development of housing around what is now a landlocked borough-owned lake.
"If there's housing around there, what a beautiful view it would make," said Burger. "We could put some public access in there so people can go in there and fish or maybe have a few little paddle boats."
In addition, Falls Township is working closely with Morrisville to change the nature of South Pennsylvania Avenue from industrial to residential and commercial to complement adjacent areas of Morrisville Borough.
"Falls is rethinking this whole area," said council president Jane Burger, pointing to a map of South Pennsylvania Avenue. "It certainly will enhance Pennsylvania Avenue which is really not inviting right now."
Monday, September 1, 2008
Yes, We CAN Make You Pay For That
From the BCCT
Residents take on debt to pay for curb work
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
Bridgette Tattersall was ready to tap into her 401(k) retirement plan to pay for mandated curb and sidewalk work at her Rumpf Avenue home in Penndel.
“I was desperate,” she said Thursday afternoon, referring to the repair costs she was facing — and her two layoffs in less than a year. “The letter [from the borough] said if we didn't put in the curbs and sidewalks, [the borough] could put a lien against our house or we could face jail time.”
Instead of tapping into her retirement account, she and husband Robert opted to get a loan to pay for the $4,000 curb repair and sidewalk installment.
The Tattersalls are among several residents who took on debt to pay for the work required by the borough.
In April, Penndel sent Rumpf Avenue residents notices about the borough's summer street resurfacing project. But before the street work could be completed, homeowners were told they had to repair curbs and either fix or install sidewalks by July 1.
After residents complained of the short notice and begged for more time, the borough extended the curb repair deadline to Aug. 1 and the sidewalk installment work to September 2009.
As of Thursday, most of the curbs had been repaired and borough officials said they expect the street reconstruction to be completed by the end of the month.
Like the Tattersalls, Laura Moffitt's family also took out a loan. They borrowed $7,000 for curb work alone, she said.
“The way the economy is, it would have been nice if we could have saved up the money instead of getting a loan,” she said.
Residents take on debt to pay for curb work
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
Bridgette Tattersall was ready to tap into her 401(k) retirement plan to pay for mandated curb and sidewalk work at her Rumpf Avenue home in Penndel.
“I was desperate,” she said Thursday afternoon, referring to the repair costs she was facing — and her two layoffs in less than a year. “The letter [from the borough] said if we didn't put in the curbs and sidewalks, [the borough] could put a lien against our house or we could face jail time.”
Instead of tapping into her retirement account, she and husband Robert opted to get a loan to pay for the $4,000 curb repair and sidewalk installment.
The Tattersalls are among several residents who took on debt to pay for the work required by the borough.
In April, Penndel sent Rumpf Avenue residents notices about the borough's summer street resurfacing project. But before the street work could be completed, homeowners were told they had to repair curbs and either fix or install sidewalks by July 1.
After residents complained of the short notice and begged for more time, the borough extended the curb repair deadline to Aug. 1 and the sidewalk installment work to September 2009.
As of Thursday, most of the curbs had been repaired and borough officials said they expect the street reconstruction to be completed by the end of the month.
Like the Tattersalls, Laura Moffitt's family also took out a loan. They borrowed $7,000 for curb work alone, she said.
“The way the economy is, it would have been nice if we could have saved up the money instead of getting a loan,” she said.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Bristol Twp Government Study Committee
From the BCCT.
Candidates sign up to change government
By JAMES MCGINNIS
Bucks County Courier Times
Nine people in Bristol Township, among them a minister, a disabled veteran and leaders in the local Democratic and Republican clubs, believe they have new ideas on how to fix the township government.
All filed petitions this week with the county Board of Elections to sit on the Bristol Township Government Study Commission. Voters in the general election must decide whether to have a study commission and who will sit on it. Seven seats are open.
The candidates who want to be charged with considering a new plan of local government are: Cindy Peto, Anne Titus, Melvin Howard, Jack Baradzeij, Mike Slipp, Helen Cini, Janet Keyser, Bob Ausura and Councilman Don Mobley.
Many are regulars at town hall meetings, with the exception of Howard and Titus.
The first black person ever elected to a position in Bristol Township, Howard served on the board of commissioners in the 1980s. Since then, he said he got out of politics only to be drawn back in “as the township crumbled.” He's also a bishop with the People's Church of Christ on Durham Road.
“This township is falling apart and people can see that,” Howard said. “We need some kind of government system that brings back the accountability and maybe the best way to do that is to go back to the ward system with each official representing a certain area of town.”
Several candidates echoed support for a system of elected officials representing specific districts.
“I think we need some councilman dedicated to certain wards and also some councilman-at-large representing the whole town,” said Helen Cini, who is also a Bristol Township school board member. “There's an awful lot of problems in this town and I don't know that five council members can handle it all.”
As a longtime Republican and onetime chairman of the local GOP club, Baradzeij said the government structure should provide for at least one minority-party member in any chosen government.
Baradzeij ran several times for a council seat as a Republican candidate, but always lost.
“There are a number of people in this township who aren't represented because they're in the minority,” he said. “But I also believe we need to re-think the mayor position. Either we need a full-time mayor with more power or no mayor. The situation now doesn't work.”
Once a township commissioner, Slipp also had argued that some areas of the community are too often overlooked.
A regular at town meetings, he has served on the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee, the county housing development corporation and the Penndel Mental Health Board. He ran for council in 2003, but lost to Councilman Don Lorady.
Nothing bars elected officials in Bristol Township from sitting on a government commission, and Mobley wants to do both.
After more than a decade of lawsuits and political attacks chiefly aimed at Mayor Sam Fenton, Mobley was appointed to the township council last year. Since his appointment, he has hotly criticized department heads for failure to respond to resident complaints and has argued for more open public records.
An accounts manager for the Bucks County Transportation Management Association, Peto became active in the township by raising money for playgrounds and fields in 2003.
Another name familiar to voters is Keyser. She's the longtime director of the Bristol Township Democratic Club and also heads the Lower Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority.
And anyone who watches or attends council meetings knows Ausura. A disabled Vietnam veteran, Ausura is a constant critic of the township government, speaking several times at almost every public meeting.
He also has volunteered his time to create electronic versions of township documents for easy access on the township Web site. More recently, he became a passionate advocate for the proposed skate park off Wistar Road near Five Points. He made PowerPoint presentations for the kids.
As the chief of staff for state Rep. Tony Melio, Titus is well-known to many in township government. Melio credits her for handling much of his constituent service. And he often jokes that he'd never get anything done without her.
Candidates sign up to change government
By JAMES MCGINNIS
Bucks County Courier Times
Nine people in Bristol Township, among them a minister, a disabled veteran and leaders in the local Democratic and Republican clubs, believe they have new ideas on how to fix the township government.
All filed petitions this week with the county Board of Elections to sit on the Bristol Township Government Study Commission. Voters in the general election must decide whether to have a study commission and who will sit on it. Seven seats are open.
The candidates who want to be charged with considering a new plan of local government are: Cindy Peto, Anne Titus, Melvin Howard, Jack Baradzeij, Mike Slipp, Helen Cini, Janet Keyser, Bob Ausura and Councilman Don Mobley.
Many are regulars at town hall meetings, with the exception of Howard and Titus.
The first black person ever elected to a position in Bristol Township, Howard served on the board of commissioners in the 1980s. Since then, he said he got out of politics only to be drawn back in “as the township crumbled.” He's also a bishop with the People's Church of Christ on Durham Road.
“This township is falling apart and people can see that,” Howard said. “We need some kind of government system that brings back the accountability and maybe the best way to do that is to go back to the ward system with each official representing a certain area of town.”
Several candidates echoed support for a system of elected officials representing specific districts.
“I think we need some councilman dedicated to certain wards and also some councilman-at-large representing the whole town,” said Helen Cini, who is also a Bristol Township school board member. “There's an awful lot of problems in this town and I don't know that five council members can handle it all.”
As a longtime Republican and onetime chairman of the local GOP club, Baradzeij said the government structure should provide for at least one minority-party member in any chosen government.
Baradzeij ran several times for a council seat as a Republican candidate, but always lost.
“There are a number of people in this township who aren't represented because they're in the minority,” he said. “But I also believe we need to re-think the mayor position. Either we need a full-time mayor with more power or no mayor. The situation now doesn't work.”
Once a township commissioner, Slipp also had argued that some areas of the community are too often overlooked.
A regular at town meetings, he has served on the Pennsylvania State Democratic Committee, the county housing development corporation and the Penndel Mental Health Board. He ran for council in 2003, but lost to Councilman Don Lorady.
Nothing bars elected officials in Bristol Township from sitting on a government commission, and Mobley wants to do both.
After more than a decade of lawsuits and political attacks chiefly aimed at Mayor Sam Fenton, Mobley was appointed to the township council last year. Since his appointment, he has hotly criticized department heads for failure to respond to resident complaints and has argued for more open public records.
An accounts manager for the Bucks County Transportation Management Association, Peto became active in the township by raising money for playgrounds and fields in 2003.
Another name familiar to voters is Keyser. She's the longtime director of the Bristol Township Democratic Club and also heads the Lower Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority.
And anyone who watches or attends council meetings knows Ausura. A disabled Vietnam veteran, Ausura is a constant critic of the township government, speaking several times at almost every public meeting.
He also has volunteered his time to create electronic versions of township documents for easy access on the township Web site. More recently, he became a passionate advocate for the proposed skate park off Wistar Road near Five Points. He made PowerPoint presentations for the kids.
As the chief of staff for state Rep. Tony Melio, Titus is well-known to many in township government. Melio credits her for handling much of his constituent service. And he often jokes that he'd never get anything done without her.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Way to Go!
Here's an article from the BCCT highlighting the North Penn School District and their first ever community-wide survey.
"...Only great organizations critically review performance on an ongoing basis." I wonder where the Morrisville School District falls on that organizational spectrum.
I also noted the board president's webpage: "As the current School Board President I find it important to defend the school district’s reputation when it is being unfairly or unduly criticized." Hmmm...other board presidents give out diplomas and defend their district. Thankfully the Emperor would not stoop to such mundane and irrelevant tasks.
From the school website: "The North Penn School District recently took its commitment to continuous improvement to another level through its extensive survey of all stakeholders, including students, staff, parents and community members. The Board of School Directors knows that every organization has areas for improvement, but only great organizations critically review performance on an ongoing basis. This survey was part of North Penn’s quality improvement work.
Conducted in March 2008, questionnaires were mailed to more than 40,000 community members, including parents. Concurrently, all students in 5th through 12th grade and all district employees were given the opportunity to complete a questionnaire as well. In all, more than 13,000 questionnaires were completed and analyzed.
Surveys were carefully developed and validated through the involvement of stakeholders, including focus groups, to help design the survey questions and other various opportunities for input. Working with outside consultants, NPSD used a completely secure online or hardcopy administration of the survey, which was scored independent of any district personnel."
School district receives positive response
By AUBREY WHELAN
The Intelligencer
More than 13,000 residents, teachers, parents and students in the North Penn School District applauded the district's teachers, curriculum and safety, participating in the most comprehensive survey the district has ever conducted.
But those same people also expressed concerns on issues like school lunches, internal communication and transitioning students from one grade level to another.
The district is using the results of the survey, which were recently posted on the district's Web site, npenn.org, to develop goals for its six-year strategic plan.
Surveys were mailed to more than 40,000 community members in March. “We mailed it to all community residents, and that included all our parents, staff members and students in fifth grade through 12th grade,” said Christine Liberaski, the district's coordinator of school and community services. The district has conducted surveys in the past, but none as comprehensive as this one, she added.
Liberaski said questions were geared toward the various demographics surveyed.
“We asked whether families thought they were getting communication from the school district ... whether students showed respect for each other, whether staff showed respect for students. Did they feel that the schools are providing a quality education?” she said.
Areas the school has set goals to improve include the quality and variety of school lunches, Liberaski said. Respondents also raised concerns about the fairness of school rules and how students transition from elementary school to middle school to high school.
District Superintendent Bob Hassler said while such concerns are typical, they help district officials pinpoint areas for improvement.
“For example, at the high school, you have five different assistant principals,” he said, addressing some respondents' concerns about the fairness of school rules. “It's something that I think will always be there, just because of the human factor.” But, he said, the strength of the district lies in gathering feedback from its stakeholders, the people who pay taxes and send children to the schools and the students themselves.
“What I'm happy about is we're the type of organization that wants to find out how we can improve,” he said. “The more people we can get involved, the more suggestions, the better it's going to be for our students.”
"...Only great organizations critically review performance on an ongoing basis." I wonder where the Morrisville School District falls on that organizational spectrum.
I also noted the board president's webpage: "As the current School Board President I find it important to defend the school district’s reputation when it is being unfairly or unduly criticized." Hmmm...other board presidents give out diplomas and defend their district. Thankfully the Emperor would not stoop to such mundane and irrelevant tasks.
From the school website: "The North Penn School District recently took its commitment to continuous improvement to another level through its extensive survey of all stakeholders, including students, staff, parents and community members. The Board of School Directors knows that every organization has areas for improvement, but only great organizations critically review performance on an ongoing basis. This survey was part of North Penn’s quality improvement work.
Conducted in March 2008, questionnaires were mailed to more than 40,000 community members, including parents. Concurrently, all students in 5th through 12th grade and all district employees were given the opportunity to complete a questionnaire as well. In all, more than 13,000 questionnaires were completed and analyzed.
Surveys were carefully developed and validated through the involvement of stakeholders, including focus groups, to help design the survey questions and other various opportunities for input. Working with outside consultants, NPSD used a completely secure online or hardcopy administration of the survey, which was scored independent of any district personnel."
School district receives positive response
By AUBREY WHELAN
The Intelligencer
More than 13,000 residents, teachers, parents and students in the North Penn School District applauded the district's teachers, curriculum and safety, participating in the most comprehensive survey the district has ever conducted.
But those same people also expressed concerns on issues like school lunches, internal communication and transitioning students from one grade level to another.
The district is using the results of the survey, which were recently posted on the district's Web site, npenn.org, to develop goals for its six-year strategic plan.
Surveys were mailed to more than 40,000 community members in March. “We mailed it to all community residents, and that included all our parents, staff members and students in fifth grade through 12th grade,” said Christine Liberaski, the district's coordinator of school and community services. The district has conducted surveys in the past, but none as comprehensive as this one, she added.
Liberaski said questions were geared toward the various demographics surveyed.
“We asked whether families thought they were getting communication from the school district ... whether students showed respect for each other, whether staff showed respect for students. Did they feel that the schools are providing a quality education?” she said.
Areas the school has set goals to improve include the quality and variety of school lunches, Liberaski said. Respondents also raised concerns about the fairness of school rules and how students transition from elementary school to middle school to high school.
District Superintendent Bob Hassler said while such concerns are typical, they help district officials pinpoint areas for improvement.
“For example, at the high school, you have five different assistant principals,” he said, addressing some respondents' concerns about the fairness of school rules. “It's something that I think will always be there, just because of the human factor.” But, he said, the strength of the district lies in gathering feedback from its stakeholders, the people who pay taxes and send children to the schools and the students themselves.
“What I'm happy about is we're the type of organization that wants to find out how we can improve,” he said. “The more people we can get involved, the more suggestions, the better it's going to be for our students.”
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Quakertown Alive!
According to the BCCT this morning, it looks like the town elders in Quakertown are doing their best to revitalize their downtown area. As always, nothing is done in great leaps. Baby steps, one after another, are the key to success. It's great to see Quakertown Alive! and the rest of the town working together, a key element that need to be more acutely developed here in Morrisville.
What a wistful quote is used to end the story: “Unless you put a river here, we’re never going to be New Hope.”
There's another plus for us. We don't need to be New Hope any more than Quakertown does. We need to be Morrisville. And a river runs through it.
Businesses coming — and going — on Broad Street
As some stores close in downtown Quakertown, others are opening up.
By HILARY BENTMAN
There are signs of new life in downtown Quakertown these days, as a handful of stores have recently opened.
But there are also the telltale markers of a down economy, including at least five vacant stores along Broad Street in the shopping district.
Downtown revitalization in Quakertown has been going on for at least a decade. Efforts have been made to pull people away from the national chain stores that line the strip malls of Route 309 in favor of the mom and pops along the main street of the Upper Bucks burg.
Success has been mixed, but business owners and officials say they are beginning to see a positive shift.
“It’s baby steps,” said Jim Wilson, president of Quakertown Alive!, a nonprofit revitalization group. “The downtown is better than it was a few years ago. We’re at the tipping point.”
In the past few months, Quakertown has seen some significant turnover in businesses.
Ava’s Glass Gallery, on the 300 block of Broad Street, closed earlier this year after being open just a short time. The business has relocated to a home studio outside of the borough.
Some say the store was too specialized, pricey, and did not keep convenient hours.
In its place, Blue Moon, a children’s consignment store, has opened.
A few doors away, the Broad Street Gallery shut down in April after 17 years. Owner Steve Swann blamed the lack of downtown foot traffic for the demise. He has a second location in the Quakertown Farmer’s Market, known as Swann Art and Frame, and has consolidated operations there.
Already the Broad Street Gallery space has been claimed. All Things Bridal and Cindy Landis Photography Studio, both owned by Cindy Landis, will move in next month, relocating from Route 309 in Colmar.
“It’s the nature of retail to have businesses come and go,” said Wilson, noting that people are inquiring about available space. “I don’t think we’ve seen anything drastically [different].”
The current economic slump is certainly playing a part in the empty storefronts, some argue.
“I’m sure it has an effect on it. People aren’t able to start up a business and there’s the price of fuel,” said Rich Scott, manager of Moyer’s Shoes, a mainstay on Broad Street for over half a century. He says Moyer’s secret is catering to people with special shoe needs.
Parking is also a problem, say some shop owners. Meters line the streets and there is limited parking in the center of the shopping area.
On the dining end, Quakertown has gotten a boost of late. The relatively new Front Street Café, across from the Quakertown Train Station, is attracting crowds with its more upscale fare.
And Broadway Café is now open on the 200 block of Broad Street, next to Miss Cindy’s School of Dance. Jay Johnston has owned the building since 1992, and recently decided to open up the restaurant, a cross between a 1950s retro diner and a shrine to New York City’s theatre district.
“People gotta eat,” said Johnston in his southern drawl. The restaurant has proven a convenient place for students at the nearby Miss Cindy’s School of Dance, his wife’s business, to grab a bite to eat and for their parents to wait.
“[Quakertown] has great potential and I do see some progress,” Johnston said. “It’s an all-American, small town atmosphere, friendly people. It’s a great little town here.”
Next door is the Katie Stauffer Memorial Arts Center, which recently took over the former Cohen’s card shop space when it outgrew its old location in Richlandtown.
“We decided we would do better if we moved into Quakertown, more visibility,” said president and founder Linda Stauffer.
From pottery to bead weaving, young and old can take art classes at the center, which also works with homeschooled children and will soon partner with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to offer classes for special education students.
The Stauffer center has even started a First Friday event, which brings in local artists and live music. A few surrounding businesses are starting to join in.
“We’re just trying to get things going down there,” said Stauffer.
Although already open for business, the center will have its official grand opening June 24, a special date for Stauffer, as it would have marked her daughter Katie’s 25th birthday. Katie, a 2001 Quakertown High School grad and standout student, artist and swimmer, was killed in a car accident in March 2003.
“I read Katie’s journal [after she died] and she said she hoped to make a difference. I have to continue that for her,” said Linda, a retired art teacher.
Wilson is hoping the combination of the art center, Broadway Café and a nearby pretzel shop will help draw more kids to the downtown. “There is nothing like youth to bring energy to a block,” he said.
In the end, Quakertown’s economy depends on promoting the town’s uniqueness, he said. Although there have been successful models to follow in other towns in the region, Wilson said Quakertown must stay true to itself.
“Unless you put a river here, we’re never going to be New Hope,” he said.
What a wistful quote is used to end the story: “Unless you put a river here, we’re never going to be New Hope.”
There's another plus for us. We don't need to be New Hope any more than Quakertown does. We need to be Morrisville. And a river runs through it.
Businesses coming — and going — on Broad Street
As some stores close in downtown Quakertown, others are opening up.
By HILARY BENTMAN
There are signs of new life in downtown Quakertown these days, as a handful of stores have recently opened.
But there are also the telltale markers of a down economy, including at least five vacant stores along Broad Street in the shopping district.
Downtown revitalization in Quakertown has been going on for at least a decade. Efforts have been made to pull people away from the national chain stores that line the strip malls of Route 309 in favor of the mom and pops along the main street of the Upper Bucks burg.
Success has been mixed, but business owners and officials say they are beginning to see a positive shift.
“It’s baby steps,” said Jim Wilson, president of Quakertown Alive!, a nonprofit revitalization group. “The downtown is better than it was a few years ago. We’re at the tipping point.”
In the past few months, Quakertown has seen some significant turnover in businesses.
Ava’s Glass Gallery, on the 300 block of Broad Street, closed earlier this year after being open just a short time. The business has relocated to a home studio outside of the borough.
Some say the store was too specialized, pricey, and did not keep convenient hours.
In its place, Blue Moon, a children’s consignment store, has opened.
A few doors away, the Broad Street Gallery shut down in April after 17 years. Owner Steve Swann blamed the lack of downtown foot traffic for the demise. He has a second location in the Quakertown Farmer’s Market, known as Swann Art and Frame, and has consolidated operations there.
Already the Broad Street Gallery space has been claimed. All Things Bridal and Cindy Landis Photography Studio, both owned by Cindy Landis, will move in next month, relocating from Route 309 in Colmar.
“It’s the nature of retail to have businesses come and go,” said Wilson, noting that people are inquiring about available space. “I don’t think we’ve seen anything drastically [different].”
The current economic slump is certainly playing a part in the empty storefronts, some argue.
“I’m sure it has an effect on it. People aren’t able to start up a business and there’s the price of fuel,” said Rich Scott, manager of Moyer’s Shoes, a mainstay on Broad Street for over half a century. He says Moyer’s secret is catering to people with special shoe needs.
Parking is also a problem, say some shop owners. Meters line the streets and there is limited parking in the center of the shopping area.
On the dining end, Quakertown has gotten a boost of late. The relatively new Front Street Café, across from the Quakertown Train Station, is attracting crowds with its more upscale fare.
And Broadway Café is now open on the 200 block of Broad Street, next to Miss Cindy’s School of Dance. Jay Johnston has owned the building since 1992, and recently decided to open up the restaurant, a cross between a 1950s retro diner and a shrine to New York City’s theatre district.
“People gotta eat,” said Johnston in his southern drawl. The restaurant has proven a convenient place for students at the nearby Miss Cindy’s School of Dance, his wife’s business, to grab a bite to eat and for their parents to wait.
“[Quakertown] has great potential and I do see some progress,” Johnston said. “It’s an all-American, small town atmosphere, friendly people. It’s a great little town here.”
Next door is the Katie Stauffer Memorial Arts Center, which recently took over the former Cohen’s card shop space when it outgrew its old location in Richlandtown.
“We decided we would do better if we moved into Quakertown, more visibility,” said president and founder Linda Stauffer.
From pottery to bead weaving, young and old can take art classes at the center, which also works with homeschooled children and will soon partner with the Bucks County Intermediate Unit to offer classes for special education students.
The Stauffer center has even started a First Friday event, which brings in local artists and live music. A few surrounding businesses are starting to join in.
“We’re just trying to get things going down there,” said Stauffer.
Although already open for business, the center will have its official grand opening June 24, a special date for Stauffer, as it would have marked her daughter Katie’s 25th birthday. Katie, a 2001 Quakertown High School grad and standout student, artist and swimmer, was killed in a car accident in March 2003.
“I read Katie’s journal [after she died] and she said she hoped to make a difference. I have to continue that for her,” said Linda, a retired art teacher.
Wilson is hoping the combination of the art center, Broadway Café and a nearby pretzel shop will help draw more kids to the downtown. “There is nothing like youth to bring energy to a block,” he said.
In the end, Quakertown’s economy depends on promoting the town’s uniqueness, he said. Although there have been successful models to follow in other towns in the region, Wilson said Quakertown must stay true to itself.
“Unless you put a river here, we’re never going to be New Hope,” he said.
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