Streetscape Enhancements

Wesley Plaza
Glenside Commercial District Enhancements
Elkins Park East Enhancements

Hit the Bricks!
 

WESLEY PLAZA OPENING.  The ceremonial “opening” of Wesley Plaza kicked off the Fifth Annual Glenside Street Fair on Easton Road in 2005.  Transformed by colored brick pavers, decorative streetlights, new street trees, benches and lighted bollards under the township’s streetscape enhancement plan, the plaza serves as a perfect venue for special events.  On hand for the ribbon cutting were (left to right) Commissioner Jeffrey A. Muldawer; Harold Lichtman, Economic Development Task Force chair; Thom Cross, Design Committee chair; Commissioner Robert C. Gerhard, Jr.; State Representative Lawrence Curry; Commissioner Paul R. Greenwald (cutting ribbon); Commissioner Harvey Portner; Montgomery County Commissioner Ruth Damsker; Township Manager David G. Kraynik; Daphne Oliver representing State Senator LeAnna M. Washington; Commissioner Morton J. Simon; Judge Loretta Leader; Main Street Manager Ruth Littner Shaw; Assistant Township Manager Bryan T. Havir; Tony Oliver; and Maureen Haff, Marketing and Promotions Committee chair.

An Easton Road makeover is underway. Between Mt. Carmel Avenue and Springhouse Lane, ornamental streetlights, hanging baskets, decorative sidewalk pavers, granite curbing, attractive crosswalks, benches and more will soon embellish Downtown Glenside. Many of the pedestrian-oriented and traffic-calming changes will mimic the improvements that transformed Wesley Plaza into a perfect venue for special events three years ago.

        To minimize disruption to the business community, construction will be limited to one side of the street at a time. Businesses will remain open, as indicated by signs in the area. Contractors working weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. should complete the project in September 2008. However, every effort will be made to accommodate the Independence Day parade, car show and Glenside Street Fair.

        The Township secured $1,740,000 in community revitalization and transportation grants from Montgomery County and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to fund the Glenside enhancements.

        Meanwhile, planning is well underway for the next enhancement project, which involves the Elkins Park East Commercial District, the area near the Elkins Park Train Station. The Township has hosted several meetings with residents and business people to develop streetscape enhancement plans. Once completed, the Township will use the plans to seek grant funding to implement the project.

        Pedestrian-friendly streetscape enhancements are a proven strategy for attracting shoppers and compatible new shops and other businesses to support healthy commercial districts, a key component for economic development. Ultimately, the Township intends to renovate all five neighborhood commercial districts in the community, as funding become available. A thriving business base, in turn, promotes a healthy community and reduces reliance on residential taxes.

Hit the Bricks!    

Do you want to be immortalized in stone?  Would you like to plant roots in the community that will grow for decades to come?  You can make a lasting contribution through the new “Hit the Bricks!” program offered by Cheltenham Township Main Street.
        As part of the Glenside commercial district economic development initiative, residents, business people and all other community-minded individuals can help make over Easton Road between Glenside Avenue and Waverly Road.  For a donation of $100, you can have a three-line message engraved in a Coventry-style brick that will make up the new sidewalks.  Your name and a two-line message would appear on a plaque on an attractive new bench for a $500 donation.  For $700, a plaque with a two-line message would appear on a new street tree planted along Easton Road.  Bricks are plentiful, but only a limited number of benches and trees are available.
        Cheltenham Township recently completed a similar streetscape enhancement project that transformed Wesley Plaza, located off Easton Road, into a beautiful venue for special events.  The next phase continues many improvements, including decorative streetlights with hanging flower baskets or banners, down Easton Road. The township has secured grants to fund the majority of the projects, but additional money is still needed to complete the streetscape enhancements envisioned in the township’s Commercial District Enhancement Plan.
    Order forms for the “Hit the Bricks!” program are available from the Cheltenham Township Main Street Manager at 215-887-6200, ext. 113 and online.