What will be big news stories in Conshohocken in 2026? Below are three issues that the borough council will likely address in the upcoming year.
SEPTA/Alterra – Apartments
In 2022, Conshohocken’s borough council voted 7-0 to remove residential uses from the riverfront, citing public safety concerns. In 2023, SEPTA began considering its planned parking garage near the Conshohocken Train Station after transit activists, the Philadelphia Inquirer, etc., pointed out the cost and the need for denser development around transportation hubs. In 2024, the borough and SEPTA signed a memorandum of understanding stating that the borough did not commit to amending its zoning code to allow apartments and that SEPTA was free to explore developing apartments. In 2024, SEPTA also selected Alterra as its development partner for the project.
If the project seeks approval in 2026, you could see the council change its mind and amend the zoning code, or you could see Alterra seek zoning relief from the zoning hearing board.
Road Diet – Changes to Fayette Street
In 2026, it will be a decade since the borough council first discussed a road diet for Fayette Street. As of 2024, the plan, which has not been adopted, would have Fayette Street become two lanes (one lane in each direction) with a turning lane between 3rd and 12th avenues.
The argument for a road diet is that by reducing the number of lanes, drivers will reduce their speed and pay closer attention to the roadway.
Thus far, the borough council has initiated a study and voted to apply for grants to help fund the project if a road diet plan is eventually adopted. In December 2025, it was announced that a $1,324,000 state grant had been secured.
This isn’t solely up to the borough, as Fayette Street is a state road and PennDOT would need to signoff on any changes.
New Ward Map
As far back as 2021, MoreThanTheCurve.com pointed out that the ward map for the borough was not legal. The population of the wards was highly disproportionate, creating an imbalance that the law stipulates must be corrected after each census.
As apartments were added to the riverfront and more density through townhouses were added to the borough’s neighborhoods, all but Ward 2 grew in population. For example, in 2021, Ward 1 had 1,062 more registered voters than Ward 2 (1,356 vs. 292), with Ward 3 having 1,142 more registered voters than Ward 2 (1,434 vs. 292). Since then, three additional apartment communities have opened in Ward 1, adding hundreds of more people.
In 2025, the borough council finally began to address the issue, first hiring a legal consultant and then forming a task force to study the issue.
Will they just move the lines around to maintain seven wards? Will they be bolder and create at-large seats on the council? It should all be decided in 2026.