What will happen in 2026 in Conshohocken, West Conshohocken, Plymouth Meeting, and Lafayette Hill? Below are a few educated, muses, and complete guesses, in no particular order.

The proposal to bring a data center to the former steel plant at 900 Conshohocken Road in Conshohocken (Plymouth Township) won’t move forward.

If the data center moves forward, it will play a role in the central messaging of the next Presidential election.

If the data center doesn’t proceed, whatever happens on the former steel plant property will have a much more negative impact on the neighborhood. Think trucks, lots of trucks.

Could the steel plant be reopened? The Conshohocken plant played a significant role in supplying the military with steel for naval ships. President Trump recently announced up to 25 new battleships.

Conshohocken’s borough council will slightly adjust the lines when it redraws the ward map due to a long-standing and significant population imbalance, rather than take a bolder approach and create at least a couple of at-large seats. Why are at-large seats important? Imagine two great potential candidates who are neighbors. Under the current system, only one can serve on the council. With a mix of ward-based and at-large seats on council, there is a path for both to run and serve on council.

It is going to be a big year for Plymouth Township. With the steel mill/date center issue (or whatever happens), the redevelopment of the Plymouth Meeting Mall, a closed hotel that wants to be apartments, and failing corporate centers that want to redevelop, there will be big, long-lasting, and impactful decisions made in Plymouth Township in 2026. The first time you hear “smart development,” know that the political leadership isn’t up to the task.

SEPTA/Alterra will seek zoning relief to allow apartments on the SEPTA-owned property near the Conshohocken Train Station. They won’t get it. The zoning hearing board will recognize that the borough council, in very recent years, purposely removed residential uses from the riverfront area, citing public safety concerns. The presentation made by the public safety officials to the borough council will be the evidence used by those opposed to the idea of more apartments on the riverfront.

Angelo’s won’t open a restaurant in the Borough of Conshohocken in 2026. If they do, it won’t be at its baking facility (the former Conshohocken Italian Bakery) on Jones Street.

A recognized chef/restaurateur from the city will open a restaurant in Conshohocken.

A swimming pool will be constructed near the intersection of Ridge and Butler pikes (nothing to do with the existing swim club).

The replacement for Saks OFF 5th at the Metroplex in Plymouth Meeting will be… HomeGoods.