Supervisors Share What's New, What's Next
Click here to view the Open House presentation
“We want to keep you informed with accurate information and give you the sources to go to for information,” said Chairman Patrick Duffy in his welcoming remarks at the Board of Supervisors Open House on May 9. The event was held to provide details on current Township happenings and projects on the horizon. The over 200 attendees also had the chance to talk to numerous exhibitors about their projects or services.
“We’re very excited about the Township’s progress and are committed to making Lower Providence the best area to live, work and play in Montgomery County,” Duffy said. He encouraged residents and businesses to look for future open house events and to utilize the Township website, lowerprovidence.org, and Facebook pages (Township, Police and Business Development) to keep up with Township news.
The Open House was held at the 2621 Van Buren Avenue Office of Elm Street Investors. During the evening, the supervisors shared information on infrastructure improvements, residential and commercial development, and recreational and cultural projects. The supervisors also shared their goals for 2018. “We felt it was very important to publicly state our goals to hold ourselves accountable, “said Duffy. “It was important that they be achievable and improve the quality of life in the Township,” Duffy explained.
The Board’s goals for the year include: Formation of an open space/trails/sidewalk committee and an emergency services committee; contract negotiations with police and non-uniformed workers; targeted traffic improvements; continued economic development outreach; Audubon School use study; increased civic involvement; and residential zoning code update.
Information on the Township’s upcoming road paving schedule, the signalization of Pawlings Rd. and Station Ave., and the ongoing project to realign the Eagleville Rd./Park Ave./Crawford Rd. intersection was shared by Board Vice Chairman Jason Sorgini. He noted that the realignment project is an excellent example of government working together and with the private sector. To date, $3 million in state grants and $2.3 million from Audubon Land Development has been received to fund the project.
During her update on commercial projects, Supervisor Colleen Eckman noted that “significant progress is happening in the Township.” In the past two years, she said, there has been an influx of 20 new businesses to both the eastern and western portions along Ridge Pike and over 40 new businesses added to the Audubon area.
Supervisor Gary Neights spoke about new developments close to the Perkiomen Trail. The Courts at Brynwood townhome development (Germantown Pike and River Rd.) and 24 village homes coming to 35 Evansburg Road bring with them welcome road improvements and increased sidewalk connections. Also, Providence Place Senior Living will “bookend the west end of Ridge Pike and the Lidl Supermarket project at former Norristown Ford site will bookend the east end of the community with Lower Providence signage.”
Chairman Duffy recognized the contribution of the Mascaro family on the construction of the Francesco A. Mascaro Memorial Fields and Community Park, “an incredible facility for the youth of our community” and noted the $12 million museum and education center project underway at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove.
Acknowledging some familiar vacant properties in the Township, Supervisor Peter MacFarland pointed out obstacles that may not be readily apparent, especially with the former Bud’s Bar site. He explained that the property configuration poses restraints and development is subject to road improvements dictated by PennDOT. The Township, he said, will continue to work to fill this and other challenging sites.
During his operations update, Township Manager Don Delamater stressed that the Township encourages involvement and participation from the community. “We’re here to help and work with you – use us as a resource,” he said.