Streetscape Enhancements
WESLEY PLAZA GROUNDBREAKING. Cheltenham Township and Montgomery County officials joined local business representatives at a recent groundbreaking ceremony for Wesley Plaza in Glenside. The first major streetscape enhancement under the township’s commercial district enhancement plan, the project will transform Wesley Avenue between Easton and Bickley Roads with colored pavers, new curbing, decorative streetlights, benches and other improvements to create an area for special events. The roadway will be closed during construction, but will reopen for parking and traffic in the new year. A $300,000 Montgomery County Revitalization Grant provided a major portion of the project funding. At the ceremony were (left to right) Louis Costa of LC Costa Construction; Michael Gresko of Kise, Straw and Kolodner; Maureen Haff owner of local business Sweet Magnolia; John Sweeney, board member of the Greater Glenside Chamber of Commerce (GGCC); Annie Winterbottom, executive director of GGCC; Township Manager David G. Kraynik; Township Commissioner Robert C. Gerhard; Township Main Street Manager Ruth Littner Shaw; Township Commissioner Harvey Portner, board president; David Lynch, director of the Township Engineering, Zoning and Inspections Department; County Commissioner Ruth Damsker; Township Commissioner Paul R. Greenwald; Assistant Township Manager Bryan T. Havir; Harold Lichtman, chair of the Township Economic Development Task Force and Township Public Works Coordinator Rudy Kastenhuber.
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!
Residents, business operators and other community-minded people can support the streetscape enhancements and become part of the fabric of the districts through “Hit the Bricks!” The program offers three opportunities to insert a personal message into the new streetscapes:
· A three-line message engraved in a sidewalk paver costs $100
· A two-line message on a bench plaque costs $500
· A two-line message on a street-tree plaque costs $700.
Brick pavers are plentiful, but benches and street trees are limited.
For more information, contact the Main Street Manager.