Last Thursday I saw the future of Conshohocken. It included interconnected trails from the river to hiking and biking paths. It included wayfinding signs directing commuters and visitors, upon entrance to the borough, over the Matson Ford Bridge to retailers as well as recreational and historical assets.
It provided for expanded streetscape improvements, enhanced municipal infrastructure and most significantly, traffic calming strategies. There were condominiums built over street level retail intelligently planned along Fayette Street with care and concern to maintain neighborhood integrity. And it would be designed to position Conshohocken as a destination for waterfront recreation. A dream? Not at all. In fact, it is a smarty crafted long term plan for the next stage of the revitalization of Conshohocken.
Here are the key takeaways:
– Ground floor development of retail along Fayette Street
– Better connection between Fayette and the waterfront
– Events on/along the river to promote the waterfront
– Residential guidelines to facilitate wise infill development
KSK, an architectural and planning firm retained by the Borough, should be credited for delivering a smartly crafted plan. They spent the better part a year (Borough planning firm since 2002) updating a 2002 plan to focus on economic development, providing new market analysis of the Borough’s potential for growth. Population trends, housing and commercial business growth were all addressed. This is a roadmap that could make Conshohocken one of the premier communities in the region.
The plan goes to the Montgomery County Revitalization Board for input and then back to the Conshy development task force. It will emerge before Borough Council and community input on or around April 5th.. And finally, a vote is planned May 18th by Borough Council to approved recommendations.
This vision will not become a reality unless folks in Conshohocken voices their opinions. Borough Council will make strategic decisions on which aspects of the plan to advance. They want to hear from you to guide the resolution. You will be able to view the plan on the Borough website in early April.
Anthony J. DeFazio
Principal
DeFazio Communications, LLC