Getting Back To Main Street: a revitalization Plan for Pennsburg
Download 0.56 Mb. Pdf ko'rish
|
|
Streetscape Improvements An economically successful town center must first and foremost be a place where people want to go. Therefore, improving the character and quality of the physical environment is vital to any revitalization ef- forts. Improving that physical quality can and often does serve as a foundation for economic reinvestment.
Pennsburg has already started down this road by dramatically improv- ing its streetscape, as addressed in its 2001 Revitalization Plan. Brick crosswalks and sidewalks, historically appropriate street lighting, and attractive plantings have all contributed to a renewed sense of pedes- trian mobility in the Borough. However, there is more to do to fully realize the community’s vision. What follows are recommended items that will address weaknesses as well as continue to build upon and im- prove the physical quality and atmosphere of downtown Pennsburg.
The 2001 Economic Revitalization Plan suggested that Pennsburg be- gin reinvesting in its downtown by improving the streetscape on Main Street. The purpose was to not only beautify the area, but prove to current and prospective businesses that Pennsburg is serious about improving the downtown. Specifically, the 2001 Plan recommended that Pennsburg install period street lighting, while improving the side- walks, curbs and paving of the downtown district. Pennsburg heeded this advice and has finished construction on the first three phases. Phases four, five, and six are currently in the planning stages.
Continuing the work is important. Figure 3.1 shows future stages of streetscape improvements, as well as what has been completed so far. While work on phases four and five was suspended due to a lack of local match money, the Borough still intends to finish them in addition to phase six, which contains streetscape improvements on Route 663 south from phase three at West Side Alley.
Phases seven through ten are designed to connect Main Street to the 23 23 Getting Back To Main Street: A Revitalization Plan for Pennsburg Figure 3.1. Pennsburg’s streetscape improvements have occurred in phases. This phased streetscaping should continue, as shown below. 24 24 Chapter 3: Physical Improvements
shopping areas just south along Route 663 (phases seven and eight), and north to the boarder with Upper Hanover Township (phases nine and ten). It should be noted that phase seven will incorporate street- scaping that has been completed by the Tri-County Area Federal Credit Union, along the east side of Route 663 south of Main Street.
The streetscape improvements will include period street lighting, deco- rative brick paving, and the addition of street trees to shade pedestrian walkways and provide greenery.
The 2001 plan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pedestrian friendly downtown district, and many of its recommendations are fo- cused around that central point, such as maintaining improvements once they have been completed. Pennsburg must focus its efforts to- wards maintaining attractiveness, convenience, and safety for pedestri- ans. These three elements will serve to improve the pedestrian ex- perience in downtown Pennsburg, enliven the street, and revitalize the downtown.
One aspect of downtowns that makes them enjoyable is vegetation. Improving the tree coverage along the streets of Pennsburg will add to the sense of neighborhood and make the area more walkable, as trees not only look good but provide shade from the strong summer sun.
There are low cost ways to accomplish this task. One such avenue is TreeVitalize (available online at www.treevitalize.net), a program run by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources that aims to restore tree cover in Southeastern Pennsylvania. TreeVi- talize Municipalities is a program funded by the William Penn Founda- tion designed to help communities overcome obstacles to restoring and managing their tree canopy. The program challenges municipal lead- ers to treat trees as part of their community’s infrastructure, and to consider trees in their plans, ordinances, and capital improvements projects. TreeVitalize Municipalities will also connect municipal leaders with the resources they need to get the job done, through technical support provided by the four partnering organizations: Pennsylvania
25 25 Getting Back To Main Street: A Revitalization Plan for Pennsburg Figure 3.5. A historic marker at the Muhlenberg House along Main Street in Trappe Borough. The marker not only provides information about the house, but its presence lets people know that the house is important and worthy of their attention.
Horticultural Society, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, Penn State School of Forest Resources, and the Pennsylvania Environ- mental Council.
The goal of TreeVitalize Neighborhoods is to improve the quality of life in older neighborhoods through tree planting projects along streets, in parks or other public lands such as schools, libraries, police and fire stations. Geographic targets include areas of lower tree cover and higher population density. In order to enhance natural resources stew- ardship, the preferred model is community-assisted neighborhood tree plantings that minimize the use of contractor services and maximize the use of in-kind labor from local government sources and/or commu- nity volunteers. The program has been extremely successful and is a good opportunity for the Borough to not only receive useful training in tending and care for street trees, but to continue some of its street- scape efforts into the residential neighborhoods immediately adjacent to Main Street.
As the name indicates, way-finding signs help visitors locate important local amenities such as shopping or parking, and historic or note- worthy sites, like the borough hall. The signs do this by directing and informing people about the facilities and services nearby. They can make doing business in the commercial downtown district easier and, with good design, can be an attractive addition to the character of the downtown.
But way-finding signage is not simply utilitarian. The signs also serve as a form of marketing by drawing attention to the many local offer- ings in the downtown. As such they are not only for the eyes of visi- tors. Even area residents who travel within the downtown on a regular basis may not know all the useful, interesting, and fun aspects to the district. Signs will help market the town both to those who have never been in Pennsburg before and to those who travel through every day.
The addition of way-finding signs to a downtown is more than a sym- bol of revitalization; it is a visual indication of the importance of revi- Figure 3.6. This colorful street map in the City of Lancaster helps guide pe- destrians to important landmarks within the city. 26 26 Chapter 3: Physical Improvements
talization in the community. Installing signs to highlight important community sites and amenities sends the message that the health and revitalization of downtown is important to the Borough and its resi- dents.
determined before the signs are designed and installed. This will influ- ence where they are placed, what they say, and how they are de- signed. Thus, the Borough must decide which sites and amenities are worthy of signs, as well as what those signs will look like and say.
The layout of the signs will be informed by their purpose. For exam- ple, a sign placed on a roadway should be simple with text that is large enough to read easily and quickly while driv- ing. Paragraphs of small text will be unread- able as people move past in a car. Similarly, a sign placed downtown to denote a place of historical significance should contain enough well written, thoughtful information so that people will stop and read the sign. A down- town sign with little or no supporting text will not fully realize its usefulness.
There are different types of way-finding sign- age, some of which are listed above. The types that are listed below are specifically ap- plicable to Pennsburg’s revitalization efforts.
These signs will point visitors towards impor- tant local landmarks. Examples of amenities signage are signs that show where a park or open space is, or simply point the way to the downtown area. These signs can be simple directional indicators (“This way to Downtown Pennsburg”), or they can be more descriptive with text that explains a significant local event or give details as to why a certain building is im- portant. These are more useful in an area where people travel on foot
27 27 Getting Back To Main Street: A Revitalization Plan for Pennsburg Figure 3.10. While way-finding signage exists in and around Pennsburg, most prominently at the intersection of Routes 29 and 663 (#2 below), adding new sign- age at strategic locations could lead to better a understanding of Borough facilities, better usage of its amenities, and an increased sense of place. 28 28 Chapter 3: Physical Improvements
and cars move more slowly. These signs do not have to be limited to text. They can also contain historic or recent pictures of the down- town which entice people to go there to see for themselves.
Potential sites are: • The municipal parking lot behind the Rite-Aid • Athletic fields and parks • The nature preserve
that help to maintain the community’s heritage. These sites are usually sprinkled throughout the downtown area, and signs can serve to point out their significance ensuring that these valuable links to the past will not be ignored. Historically themed signs will point people towards viewing and visiting Pennsburg’s historic sites. These signs can show that Pennsburg knows where it came from and is proud of its history and tradition. But they do not have to be simply directional in nature. They can be informational as well. A good sign can show not only where something is and how to get to it, but can also explain why it should be visited in the first place. Historic signs can help market the downtown while preserving a sense of history. Unfortunately, some important historic buildings are lost to history. Signs cannot bring them back, but they can enlighten people as to what used to be there, and explain why it was important. By showing where something took place or where an important building used to be signs can help pre- serve the history of the community. Like amenities signage, the useful- ness of historic signage is not limited only to visitors. Signs that serve to point out local historic sites show that people in the Borough value the significance of their historic heritage and want to highlight it both for visitors and themselves.
Examples of historic signs could include the following: • The Heilig House • The Birthplace of Frank Buchman • A historic sign at Borough Hall explaining the early beginnings of Figure 3.11. Calming a busy intersection such as the one at 29 & 663 can be a difficult challenge, but there are many different options available. Figure 3.12. Physical improvements to Pennsburg’s infrastructure and streetscape will not only improve how others view the Borough but will also boost civic pride within the community. 29 29 Getting Back To Main Street: A Revitalization Plan for Pennsburg
ans in the roadway. It also serves to keep traffic at a manageable speed. ( Courtesy Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington State; www.mrsc.org/Publications/mrnews/mrnews0305.aspx) Pennsburg including the origination of the Borough’s name • The location of important local industries (such as the cigar facto- ries, the railroad, and so on) • Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center
A map of proposed sites, including those listed above, is included in Chapter 6 under the Heritage Trail recommendation.
Often when visitors enter an unfamiliar town they are unfamiliar with local logistical information, such as where to park, where to shop, or where the borough hall is located. Municipal signs seek to eliminate confusion by providing that information in an easy-to-use and tasteful manner. Municipal signs can provide either logistical, background, or other practical information about the municipality in order to make the downtown area more user friendly. Signs with maps, kiosks, or direc- tional signage can serve to provide both newcomers and local residents with vital information that will make their time in the borough easier and more enjoyable. Municipal signs can also beautify and show off community spirit. When a person enters a downtown and sees attrac- tive banners adorning the street posts they will understand that they have entered a definable area that the local residents are proud of.
The addition of way-finding signage in Pennsburg’s downtown area would provide useful information to visitors and locals, and draw atten- tion to the attractions that the borough wants to market itself around. Traffic Calming
According to the 2001 Plan, one of the issues facing downtown Pennsburg is the high speed of traffic along Main Street. This situation has not changed significantly since that time. Traffic still speeds down Main Street and creates an unsafe and therefore undesirable atmos- phere for pedestrians. When people feel unsafe walking, crossing, or parking their cars along the street, they are less likely to enter the downtown. Thus creating and maintaining a pedestrian experience Figure 3.14. Welcoming and attractive signage, like this sign in Bryn Mawr, serves to let people know they are in a special place. 30 30 Chapter 3: Physical Improvements that not only is safe, but that people perceive to be safe, is paramount to Pennsburg’s revitalization.
For downtown Pennsburg to be a revitalized shopping, dining, and office destination, the borough must seek to reduce the adverse impact of motor vehicles in the downtown. The 2001 plan suggested lower- ing the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 through the downtown, or minimally, between the border with East Greenville and Route 663. This proposal has since been implemented and the speed limit be- tween Front Street on the border with East Greenville and 3rd Street has been reduced to 30 mph and the speed limit has been reduced to 25mph between 3rd Street and Rt. 663.
Further, other traffic calming measures should be instituted so as to ensure that cars and pedestrians can comfortably co-exist in the down- town area. There are three different approaches to calming traffic. They are engineering, education, and enforcement.
Traffic calming through engineering includes physically altering the roadway so as to force motorists to slow their vehicles when passing through the downtown area. This can be accomplished through any number of measures. However, Routes 29 and 663 are state high- ways, and as such, alterations to the roadways are subject to state regulations. Essentially, this means that Pennsburg will not be able to implement traffic calming measures involving physically altering the roadway. Thus, other measures will have to be explored.
It may seem counter-intuitive, but often the people that speed through the downtown are area residents. Educating locals about the dangers of speeding in the downtown area is therefore a very effective method of controlling speeding and creating a pedestrian-friendly environment.
Figure 3.15. Enhancing and improving upon what has already been accom- plished in Pennsburg is key for this plan; the attractive gateway in front of Rite Aid should be used as an example for gateway entrances in other areas of the Borough. 31 31 Getting Back To Main Street: A Revitalization Plan for Pennsburg Figure 3.16. A signature gateway park welcomes visitors and locals alike to the borough of Souderton. This small public space also serves as a meeting place as well as letting everyone know that Souderton is an attractive and safe place to be. Enforcement
Police staff should be made available to discuss borough speeding and control measures with area residents. If available, using a radar display sign, which displays both the speed limit and the passing driver’s speed, can serve to both alert drivers to the new speed limit and to slow them down as they enter the downtown area.
Pennsburg’s border directly abuts East Greenville and Red Hill bor- oughs, and Upper Hanover township. Sometimes, the boundary be- tween communities may be unclear upon visual inspection. Large signs or banners denoting the entrance to the borough can give people a better sense of where they are, letting them know immediately that they have entered Pennsburg borough. An attractive sign proclaiming the entrance to the borough also can showcase a strong sense of com- munity pride.
A good example of gateway signage already exists in Pennsburg at the intersection of Routes 29 (Main Street) and 663 (Pottstown Avenue). This is the main gateway for the Borough and it is the first impression most visitors will have in the community. The signage at the corner on the Rite-Aid property prominently displays Pennsburg’s name at an important intersection.
Improvements could come at Route 29’s connections with Red Hill and East Greenville by installing treatments such as attractive signage, lighting, and plantings. These types of improvements could be utilized to emphasize Pennsburg’s individuality within the three boroughs area. Gateway improvements could also be coordinated between the three boroughs in order to share the costs of installation and develop a coor- dinated theme for the gateway treatments.
Additionally, the existing gateway signage (figure 3.15) could be accen- tuated by the addition of lighting. Small lights could be added to illumi- nate the “Welcome to Pennsburg Borough” greeting, increasing its visibility in the evening and in the winter months, when it gets dark in the afternoon. 32 32 Chapter 3: Physical Improvements Recommendations Volunteer Streetscape Committee A volunteer committee or group should be formed to oversee the care and maintenance of streetscape improvements. As part of a larger umbrella organization aimed at implementing the suggestions of this plan, this group would be responsible for ideas and suggestions to con- tinually improve streetscape design, including the locations for adding and subtracting tree cover. It could also organize Borough-sponsored clean-up days, where local business owners and other volunteers spend a day tending plantings and cleaning up litter or trash.
Communication between businesses and the Borough is vital in ensur- ing that the streetscape improvements will serve as long term assets and not just temporary developments. The committee should focus on educating business owners on how to care for street trees outside their businesses, and provide them with contact information in the case of a damaged tree.
Pennsburg should seek to improve its signage, for the use of its own residents as well as for tourists and those new to the borough. Im- proved way-findings signs can make doing business in the commercial downtown district easier and, with good design, will be an attractive and useful addition to Pennsburg.
An easy way for Pennsburg to improve its image is to improve the gateways into the community. The addition of the Rite Aid to Penns- burg has improved the borough in this regard, but there is more that can be done. Adding lighting to that sign will allow it to welcome peo- ple to Pennsburg later in the evening and afternoon in the winter months.
Further, creating attractive and welcoming signage along Pennsburg’s borders with Red Hill and East Greenville could help Pennsburg stand out more. As shown on the map (figure 3.10), it is suggested that the border with East Greenville be the first to receive that treatment, as it would complement the streetscape improvements also slated for that area.
Download 0.56 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: 
|