Revitalization
Souderton’s revitalization program is really quite simple; to bring new businesses, residents and visitors to downtown Souderton. To reenergize, bringing vigor and life back to what was once the center of activity for surrounding communities.
It’s about bringing feet to the street.
Revitalization isn’t simply restoring things to the way they used to be. Yes, restoration is important, but it’s just as important to add dynamic new structures that Souderton will look to preserve a hundred years from now. It’s about encouraging economic development within the context of historic preservation in ways appropriate and relevant to today’s marketplace.
Imagine, hip new shops, right alongside quaint, historically-restored storefronts. New businesses. New residents. An exciting new microbrewery restaurant, a fresh spin on an old-fashioned ice cream parlor, a quiet wireless café. Then picture yourself strolling down Main Street one evening with your family, spouse, or friends, seeing other friends, neighbors, business associates, and visitors–all doing the same thing–visiting, shopping, eating out, seeing a show, enjoying life.
Here in Souderton. A revitalized, reenergized, re-inspired, Souderton.
Think revitalization.
Kind regards,
Charles Ebersole
29 comments:
I wanted to thank everyone who participated in last night's meeting at the Boys & Girls Club. It was encouraging to see so many people in attendence, sharing both appreciation and concern for the future of Souderton. It is a testament to the integrity of our community that we are able share impassioned points of view, but still walk away as neighbors.
I look forward to a continued dialogue.
I attended the meeting last night. I live in town near the movie theater. It was great to see the amount of people there. There was a good mix of business owners and residents. I feel the Mr. Ebersole did a nice job explaining his vision to improve downtown. The pictures looked nice too. I also had the chance to hear the concerns from the residents that would be affected by the seven story building that live on Hillside. One resident suggested an aerial shot to get a better understanding of the size of the structure and its affect on that neighborhood. I feel this would be a good idea.
My husband and I enjoy living in town, walking in town and shopping in town. I would like more upscale shops in town to spend my money there supporting local business rather than driving to the Mall for clothing apparel or Barnes and Noble for books. I also want my fellow neighbors to feel safe and comfortable in their current homes too. My sons enjoy walking to the Boys and Girls Club. They can't wait for the movie theater to be up and running again. This is a great place to live.
I really appreciate the fact that Mr. Ebersole is in fact a local guy; who even went to Souderton High School. And I hope people can understand how lucky we are to have these projects proposed. As a business owner that relies on other businesses, it's welcome news to me.
As far as planning for these changes, I feel Mr. Ebersole has gone far and above what is required in seeing that the needs of all groups were being met to the nth degree. We've probably seen just a tiny fraction of the forethought that went into those details.
I just hope some Hollow is left to purchase when I get to that point.
JR
I attended the meeting on Tuesday night. As a current resident of Hillside Avenue I am very concerned about the flow of traffic getting to the underground parking spaces. Mr. Ebersole envisions that the 15,000 cars traveling on Rt. 113 on a daily basis will stop in downtown Souderton for their shopping, eating, and entertainment activities. He mentioned that the path to access this underground parking is to turn on Hillside and travel up the back alley of Hillside. This will be a living NIGHTMARE for the residents as we experience the high influx of cars turning down our street, taking our parking spots, making it difficult for our children to play outside, dealing with the extra noise from the vehicles and the car stereos. Making the street wider to accomodate the number of vehicles and larger trucks is not the answer.
I am sure the architect can redraw a plan that would flow the path of these vehicles to the parking deck entrance from main street.
Something also has to be done to ensure the residents that our parking spots outside our homes will be available for us, not the out-of-towners.
Janet, I would like to address a couple of your questions about parking at the proposed project on main street and also some things that are of a general nature for everyone.
One of the earliest sketch plans that I did had a drive entrance/ exit from main street but in review with the public works department and planning comission it was determined that drive entrances should not be allowed to interfere with the high volume of traffic on main street and auto entrances must be placed on side streets. With that understanding in mind I have offered the following solutions:
1) Increase the width of the first block of Hillside Avenue to allow two-way traffic and widen the sidewalk.
2) Improve the current alley to provide two way traffic into the parking lot that will be constructed behind the building in the current field.
3) In conjuction with the new parking across Main Street and the existing lot behind the Theater; place directional signage for traffic to appropriate parking areas that are close to the retail shops.
4) We are considering whether right-hand turns onto Hillside Avenue should be restricted from this project's parking although that needs to be studied with the traffic planners.
Please note all the widening is being accomplished by setting the building back futher from the property lines than the existing buildings.
We are complying with the ordinance's requirements for parking on the site; that includes retail shoppers, and the Borough is trying to provide lots of convenient and well identified parking within the downtown public parking areas. All of these will be closer to the shops than the street in front of your homes. One other possibility which should be explored with the traffic planners is whether the one-way direction of Hillside Avenue should be switched to help keep excess traffic to a minimum. Though that could have the undue effect of increasing traffic by locals who would rather avoid Main Street.
At a previous council meeting we were told that a scale model of this project would be available at the meeting on April 24. I think this would have been a very useful tool. Is there one available?
Mal, sorry if you were misled. We wanted to focus the meeting on the bigger picture of revitalization rather than only on the height issue. When we make a presentation of a specific project, it will most certainly include a scale model.Thank you for your comment.
To revitalize is to put vitality back into something that once existed. The definition of vitality is to implant life or vigor. An empty remodeled theater or office building is not revitalization for it is missing the most important ingredient, life. In the movies if you build it they will come but these are two prime examples that this is not the case in real life. In order to revitalize you must first have the people, the life. Then you build the building to accommodate.
If you go to downtownsouderton.com or simply drive down Main Street as I do and look at the sporting goods store you will see it is in the best condition of most of the buildings on the street. Good job Mr. Wellington. When I look at the detailed latticework around the top I wonder where is Souderton’s Historic Society or if one even exists. In any other city to demolish a building of this condition, age and grace would be a taboo. I ‘m not alone when I ask you to show me a thriving theater or a fine quality restaurant with a line out side waiting to be seated before we start tearing down historical buildings to build condos.
Last Saturday morning I was lucky enough to catch Charley Ebersole driving down the alley. We had a 5-minute conversation that turned into a ½ hour that I truly enjoyed. We both agreed with the proper guidelines this can and will be a win-win situation. But we all should remember that revitalization is a process that takes time and is usually accomplished in many steps with lots of developers and partners participating. We all want the best for Souderton – it may take more time than some of us anticipated but will be well worth the wait.
Tim Skrzat
I bought a historic home in the borough a few years ago and have been restoring it. I bought in the borough because I enjoy being able to enjoy the town just a few steps from my home. Although I am very investing in bringing back old structures, the new ones that are being proposed by Mr. Ebersole would add a new and exciting edge to Souderton. So far the efforts of revitalization have been wonderful and I look forward to more. I think we are lucky to have a person like Mr. Ebersole with his vision and investment into our community. I hope that we all embrace his efforts to make an already great place ......dynamic.
Mr. Ebersole-
I am not a resident of Souderton but in viewing the comments listed, I think you are on to a great thing. I am trying to locate a contact point for the theater and I understand you are the owner. Will you also be the person reopening the theater?
Tara, I do ot intend to operate the theatre. I intend to sell it to a qualified operator who will move it to its potential.I am thye contact person, bit hopefully not for long.
Sorry for the typos in my last comment.
I appreciate the enthusiasm and spirit shown at the meeting on Monday 5/7.The residents of Hillside Avenue demonstrate a sense of community that is enviable at the least. Hillside Avenue was born of a vision in the late 1800's of rowhomes and alleyways, density and diversity. At the time, the Borough consisted of single homes on large lots, some with livestock. It was fairly common to hunt small game within the borough.I would be willing to speculate that the "status quo" residents of the time felt threatened by such a dramatic increase in population, a style of construction previously seen only in larger communities not to mention that a perfectly good creek that for many previous generations provided peace, recreation, wildlife habitat, and probably even food, was covered up so that the new residents could have access to their homes. I would further speculate that today's residents are happy that the naysayers did not prevail and would confirm that the fears expressed proved unnecessary as evidenced by the vibrant community that exists on Hillside Avenue today. Who among those that expressed their fear and animosity would not live on Hillside ave. today if groups of 8, 10 and 14 homes attached would not have been allowed? Obviously the space available was maximized to the benefit of each resident, the Borough, as well as the developer. Many of the concerns expressed to the Borough Council are mitigated as a matter of law. I remain perplexed at the remainder of the subjective comments. It might seem as if those offering them are suggesting that the very environment in which they thrive( a densely populated,space maximizing one)has had an overall negative impact on the community at large and therefore should not be repeated.I was not alive yet when Hillside, Railroad, Penn Avenue, Noble and Front Streete were developed, however in the 35 years that I can remember, I never heard someone say that they shouldn't have been at all.
Charlie,
Thanks for the call to let me know the address here. It took a bit of looking to figure out where the blog was on it. I hear what you have t say . (I heard you had your feathers in a ruffle about things, from some neighbors who saw you earlier). Here I disagree with you, I do think the neighborhood at large is highly interested in having someone with a vision try to turn what at the surface seem to be some pretty cruddy poorly kept buildings into something of beauty that this town, comunity, and area can look at with pride and say hey we were part of making this happen. Heck I have even offered to try and dedicate some of my personal time volunteering for the revitalization comitte. but here is where we diverge...... you want to make a massive impact on our local look. An Imposing towering structure looming over town, our homes our lives. you expected to walk in with no disention??????? flash up on screen lovely drawings of your architect(who rolled his eyes at the crowd durring the open talk forum) and walk away with your tower eight stories(85ft) high. this is not how comunication works . if it is our suport you wish to continue with. Work with us. WE (the town) I am sure can give a little if you are willing to be flexible too. as far as the zoning goes...... remember even though you have bought up half of town already, there will be people in the future who will come in looking to do the same and unless we wish to let "anything go" there have to be some ground rules down to protect,promte and guide reasonable responsible redevelopment that take more into acount than just tax base, Tax Base and TAX BASE. the way for this and other comunities to grow in healthy sustainable ways and guard against unruly, uncaring and downright horrible changes is to write into its rules and laws and codes safeguards that show that the people are protected. Be patient. Work with us.
as far as comments go on your most recent blog ..... come on dude get real. dont make this a personal fight. we all know the oportunity for change is on our door steps. With every meeting we come more and more prepared and armed with a little more knowledge about whats going on. what your plans really mean to us and sometimes with a few more questions we need answered. so if it is ancy pants thats got you all in a ruffle and you want to get things moving find a way to meet with us some evening and perhaps if both sides are willing to work we can present something that will work for all.
Hope to hear from you soon
Eric
Eric, thank you for your response. I am very willing to meet with all of the residents in a forum where I can address each question. The Borough meeting unfortunately allows bad information to be presented without rebuttal , correction or clarification. My angst of late lies in the fact that many of the questions and concerns that were raised have been answered or addressed in previous meetings ,however we wasted time and developed negative energy toward them anyway(the fire truck,law and ordinance issues re.drainage, sidewalk improvements,service to the building etc.). To any of these objective concerns, we have an answer or the ability to address them. The purely emotional responses as well as the arbitrary suggestions offered without basis in fact are of great concern and are the basis for my previous comment. I did not expect 0 resistance, far from it, hence the reason for this website and my other meetings. The thought that anyone would present or accept obviously flawed information in blind fashion in order to further promote their case is just plain dishonest. The picture presented as " the pedestrian's view" is not a view attainable from anywhere in the borough nor is the topography close to accurate. Maybe if the railroad were missing and one were standing on Second Street would that view be attainable. Furthermore, I stated in 3 different meetings that the density and scale required for this vision to be economically feasible without publically available incentive, is not arbitrary. As stated before, I could've engaged some gamesmaneship tactics, started high, and then "compromised" at where I need to be in the first place. Again, I view that tactic as dishonest and will not engage it. I am not making this personal. There has not been a meeting yet where someone did not offer a personal attack on me. If you view my previous blog as personal so be it. I'll take it a step further. With respect to the comment that 65 feet appears to be a good compromise particularly from the person that offered it, I will put it in your terms. If you said that you need to make 100 tiles per year to even begin engaging the process and someone said that 60 should do it, you would disagree and rightfully so. If yet someone else says that 80 is the logical compromise because it is in the middle, you would still disagree and rightfully so because 100 is the number. I offered a compromised rendition of this building showing 5 floors on either end in order to address the concerns of the immediate neighbors, yet still achieve the required 60units. I gather from your response that you still believe that I am unwilling to communicate or compromise. We need to meet again. I promise to address each and every question and concern. I wish for everyone to have their opportunity to engage me with anything on their mind, I want to make clear that anyone who wishes to purely express only anger or fear should consider the theme of my previous comment. Gather your neighbors, choose an evening and time in May, (I will be missing for much of June) and I will happily meet and discuss with you. chas
I’m not a big bloger. In fact my last was my first blog ever. Who the chub ever came up with the name blog anyway and what is it? I gather it’s a slow chat line. Thanks for the invitation to meet with the neighbors in your last blog Charlie. We will take you up on the offer if the neighbors agree; I suggest (2) meetings the last (2) weeks before the Borough meeting. You said you wouldn’t be available for most of the month of June but I have a sneaking suspicion you will be available for the Borough meeting the first Monday of June. Maybe this will give us the chance to turn this blog into a chat line and a lot of the concerns of the neighbors that truly care can be addressed with rebuttal from both sides. As I said before revitalization takes time, and does not happen over night and usually involves a multitude of investors and developers. The more investors are more money to complete the project. The more developers are ½ a dozen people banging heads. You are the one that decided to take this project on tour your self, so now you are banging heads with the equivalent of 50 developers, the residents of “Downtown Souderton”. But it’s all good. When we are done we will not only revitalize Souderton, but set an example for the entire state of Pennsylvania.
Tim
Charlie I enjoied yet another lengthy chat with you today. Thanks for beeing so accessable. I tried to blog earlier, but couldnt remember the password and lost my message.I'm with Tim lets get those meetings aranged and "get her done"!!!!!!
How about friday the 25th and friday the 1st in the evening say about 6pm? that way everyone is home from work and can participate. If this is good I'll try to put something together for the neighborhood.
Eric, that works for me. We can meet in the furniture mart. Everyone will need to bring a lawn chair. I suggest that you invite the Mayor and the Councillor from your ward, that is up to you. I will come by myself with as much info as I have. I will bring refreshments. chas
Charlie, I am going to print a postcard to distribute around town for a meeting on Friday May 25th at 6:00 pm and keep the other date incase we need it. But here is to hoping we can "get it done."
Remember your own words (business philosophy)"making the most of the cards you're dealt," "Doing the right thing even if it hurts"
Life motto: "Do the right thing- whatever that is."
The third key to sucess
Doing the right thing starts with every relationshipin business.
Hows about we start there.
"With respect to the comment that 65 feet appears to be a good compromise... I will put it in your terms. If you said that you need to make 100 tiles per year to even begin engaging the process and someone said that 60 should do it, you would disagree and rightfully so. If yet someone else says that 80 is the logical compromise because it is in the middle, you would still disagree and rightfully so because 100 is the number."
First of all, let me express my appreciation for this excellent analogy - the concept of "feet" is so foreign to me (and to everyone else, I am sure)! Since everyone works with TILES on a day-to-day basis, though, this is great way to get a point across. I would like to suggest, however, using an even MORE accessible term, like "thingamajig" or "whosiwhatsi."
I have to point out, however, that in this situation the analogy is critically flawed. We would have to add that the tile-maker wants to produce 100 tiles in a town that has a 45-TILE LIMIT. It would be rather presumptuous (not to mention poorly thought-out) of the tile-maker to propose his 100-tile plan before he could be assured that 100 tiles was even permissable, would it not? Especially if he's living in a democracy.
"The picture presented as 'the pedestrian's view' is not a view attainable from anywhere in the borough nor is the topography close to accurate."
Finding "accurate" pictures for this proposal is indeed proving troublesome! Especially since an artist's rendering presented very prominently at a previous borough meeting (and in the newspaper) looked like it was taken through some kind of dimensional warp in which a towering 85 - 100 foot, 7-storey structure barely looked larger than the 35-foot, 3-storey buildings surrounding it (I hope everybody will substitute "tiles" for "feet" in the previous sentence, to better enable understanding). There DOES seem to be a great deal of propaganda surrounding this whole issue - statements like "a vote of 'no' to higher density is a vote of 'yes' to higher taxes," for instance, or the suggestion that a building any less than 85 feet would "have to be made of wood" and would in all probability go up like "The Towering Inferno". I'm glad that we're all above such gamesmanship, though. Hmmmm...
Dr.Q, my analogy was in response to an individual who works with tiles everyday. I never used the term "towering inferno." The issue regarding fire proves to be quite a paradox. It is illegal to construct a residential structure beyond 4 floors with wood framing. Steel and concrete construction do not become economically feasible for residential construction until after 5 floors, hardly "propaganda" You obviously are not aware of the issue @ hand. The current zoning ordinance is limited to 45 feet. The proposed ordinance is 65 feet with possibly a "conditional" use provision to accomodate 85 feet. I proposed a project consistant with the potential ordinance on the table. I am not proposing this project against the framework of the existing ordinance. In order to do that, I would need to appeal to the zoning hearing board.The renderings presented are most certainly subject to your public criticism unlike those who choose to present partial truths only in a forum in which they cannot be challenged. My comment regarding density and taxes most certainly represnts a valid viewpoint. I have yet to hear from anyone, let alone those who literally scream and yell about taxes, any solutions to the problem, only arbitrary criticism. The whole purpose of my meetings and this forum is to allow for productive dialogue. I have taken many suggestions and reflected them into changes in my proposal. It would be great if you would attend a meeting with me on Friday,5-25 so that we may dialogue further. chas
Charlie,
I want to say something but feel that the forum this friday at the old furniture mart on main street will be a better place to talk it out. I hope the turn out is good.
Eric
Ps I'll Try to bring an extra chair or two.
Eric, how is the response? I am anxious to hear your comments.chas
Chas,
I Borrowed (from Pam Coleman)the Montgomeryville Planning comission giude to setting codes for revitalization ......, for a downtown district. The one that I saw beeing waved around at the monday meeting. And Gave it A good reading through. And have loaned it to Tim and my other neighbors. see ya tomorrow
E
Good morning. I was happy to see the amount of people last night sharing thoughts and ideas about our community.
I have the web sites for the CBS morning show that discussed, last Sunday morning, Creating the Perfect Town. For the people that could not attend last night, the two towns, Kentlands and Seaside, were created from raw land to look like an old downtown with homes and businesses to be a walkable, one stop shop type of community. It was an interesting piece. For more information go to:
www.kentlandsusa.com
www.seasidefl.com
For the CBS recap of the show, Creating the Perfect Town go to
(no spaces)
www.cbsnews.com/sections/
sunday/main3445.shtml
It was once again a pleasure to meet more neighbors that are passionate about our town and neighborhoods!
Charles,
It looks like the resident meeting is going to be on Thursday May 31st @ 6:30 pm let me know how you want to get together for the key to the furniture mart. As Always, thanks for beeing helpful an suportive.
Eric
Nancy,
Thanks for the link to Kentlands and Seaside. There's a YouTube link
here. I found it interesting that baby boomers are headed back to the communities. Seems they have cut enough lawns.
John Ralston
I'm not a blogger! But I stumbled across downtownsouderton.com and I am so encouraged to see what's going on here. I have lived in many towns in the local area. Before moving to Souderton in 2005, I had been living in Phoenixville which has undergone an unbelievable transformation from having a main street that was 90% vacant to having every storefront filled and businesses thriving! I hope that some of that sort of thing can happen here! I love Souderton/Telford and would like to stay here for a long time, and I can't wait to see downtown revitalized. My only concern is traffic and noise. The peace and quiet and hometown feel are some of the things I love most and I'd hate for us to lose that.
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