Roslyn Community Revitalization Plan with Real Estate Strategies October 28, 2009 Community Visioning Workshop

Agenda What is this plan? Summary of issues so far Workshop: Visit Stations –Streetscape –Signage –Development –Centers Regroup and Summarize Findings Next Steps Go Phillies!!!

Montgomery Community Revitalization Program Help older communities revitalize Grants to prepare revitalization plans Grant funding for implementation Plans good for up to 7 years Update to 2002 Roslyn Plan –Streetscape improvements –Business property improvement grants –Improved pedestrian access –Gateway enhancements Community Task Force overseeing preparation of plan update

Neighborhood Profile Roslyn is both younger and more racially diverse than the Township as a whole Incomes are lower than Township averages but are increasing faster than in the Township or County High rate of owner occupied housing Extremely low vacancy rate – less than one percent Dominated by small businesses, with fewer than 10 employees Roslyn represents about 9% of Township businesses, but only 2.2% of jobs Very low crime rate, but ongoing concerns about “nuisance crimes”

Infrastructure High traffic volumes, AM, PM and lunchtime Variable sidewalk conditions & pedestrian safety features Limited parking & challenges to adding new supply Transit service: R1, R2, Route 22 and The Link Station reconstruction projects Poor bike access

Considerations in Moving Forward Revitalization Plan has a 5 to 7 year timeframe What is the vision? –Land uses –Appearance & scale –Transportation access Prioritize –What we can complete in that time? –What we can lay the ground work for?

What do we want to be? Desire to be like Ambler, Lansdale & other successful town centers Roslyn somewhat larger than comparable centers Need to concentrate efforts, focus on centers of activity What are some possible centers of activity? How are they connected?

Activity Centers How do we reach “critical mass” –Identify obvious potential draws and nodes –Create and/or enhance attractions –Sustain interest between each center

Train Station Two major activities: Roslyn Train Station and Genaurdis supermarket. Potential gateways: –Train station –Welcome park. Crosswalks provide poor access to train station Should it be better integrated into Roslyn? If so how?

Triangle Area Gateway signage at Bradfield A new library/community center would create an important anchor Former Bank of America building as opportunity site What would we like to see here? What should it look like?

Woodland Mix of development types, including the Roslyn Valley Shopping Center Focus of streetscape improvements Grove Park extension to Easton Road with dog park What kind of businesses would we like to see here? How should development look?

Other Areas Hamilton character is distinct from the rest of the corridor –Lot consolidation has provided for considerable auto-oriented development –Potential for other uses over time? Transition areas – places between the “centers” –How to keep it interesting

Development Wide mix of uses and development types today –Traditional small-scale retail

Development Wide mix of uses and development types today –National & regional retailers & service providers

Development Wide mix of uses and development types today –Residential –Commercial uses in residential structures

Development Wide mix of uses and development types today –Auto-serving

Development What would we like to see in the future –What goods & services missing? –What is the desired development pattern(s)? –How do we accommodate parking?

Streetscape Appearance and Function How important is a consistent appearance? What improvements will have the biggest impact? –How it looks –Supporting business needs –Pedestrian safety Are gateways important?

Signage Along Easton

Signage Issues To Consider Balance need to communicate information with appearance Amount of signage – information overload? –Number –Size –Amount of text Sign placement –Location on site or building –Legibility to both autos and pedestrians Sign design –Materials –Appearance

Next Steps Workshop exercise Tonight’s materials to be posted on Twp. website Use tonight’s feedback and Task Force comments to draft preliminary recommendations December 16: Community workshop to review January: Prepare 2010 County grant application March 11: Final public meeting Finalize plan by end of March

Workshop Stations around the room, each highlights an issue raised in the planning effort Review information on the displays, ask questions of consulting team or committee members Place stickers in appropriate boxes to answer questions Write comments directly on the displays to share any other thoughts Regroup for summary and questions at end of evening