Politics & Government

Madison Parking Lot Development Moves to Final Approval Wednesday

With unanimous approval by the Lansdale Planning Commission Monday, the preliminary and final land development approval for the two-phase project heads to borough council.

With the Lansdale Planning Commission giving its approval of the Madison Lot Redevelopment preliminary and final land development Monday night, the project now heads to council on Wednesday for final approval.
Earlier this month, borough Manager Timi Kirchner said the project is something that the borough has been talking about for the better part of three years through the Lansdale Parking Authority. Furthermore, developer Equus Capital Partners has completed a number of public presentations on the project.  
Equus presented what Kirchner called the "100 level details" of the project to council earlier this month, prior to Monday's planning commission meeting, so that council could be well informed come Wednesday.
Bill Reardon, of Bohler Engineering, gave an overview of the project and progress since the last presentation at a conditional use hearing in July 2013.  
The plan, he said, remains a two-phase project.
Phase One includes construction of a building with 171 residential units and 10,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor, fronting Madison Street. 
Reardon said the building would include "in excess of 400 parking spaces," which are a combination of private residential spaces and public spaces.
Also included in Phase One: Development of a skate park near the water tower along Third Street, 55 angled parking spaces on Madison Street and implementation of the Liberty Bell Trail along the railroad tracks, connecting Main Street to West Third Street.
Madison Street will be turned into a one-way street from Main Street to Wood Street, Reardon said.
A public plaza will be made adjacent to the Phase One building, he said.
A police kiosk will also be dedicated at the corner of Main and Madison streets.
Phase Two includes construction of a parking garage and another building housing 76 residential units and 10,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor.
"The parking garage is in the rear of the Phase One building," Reardon said. "All in total, the grand parking count is in excess of 500 spaces."
Equus also refined additional hardscape and landscape amenities to match the streetscape of Main Street.
"You guys have done a fabulous job in meeting the requirements of our Request for Qualifications process and design phase," said Councilman Dan Dunigan, who chairs the Lansdale Parking Authority. "I've heard nothing but rave reviews of the product you are going to deliver."
Dunigan, whose brother Kevin vice chairs the Lansdale Planning Commission, complimented principal George Haines and his Equus team for their time and effort.
"I've said since the beginning: This is transformative for our borough," Dunigan said. "This is going to be the largest single private investment in the borough, bar none."
While parking remains a controversial issue with the project, Council Vice President Mary Fuller had asked Reardon to reiterate the number of parking spaces planned for the redevelopment.
"Total spaces: 429 spaces," Reardon said.
"Is that a net gain over what is there currently?" Fuller asked.
"Currently, there are roughly 150 to 200 spaces in the lot itself, for both borough and SEPTA parking," Reardon said. "We will be able to replace at least 150 of those spaces as part of Phase One, and then in excess of 200 in Phase Two."
Dunigan said the location of the improved parking is where folks of Main Street businesses clamored for the parking authority to move it from its original location of deeper in the back of the project site.
"It's a dramatic improvement from a handful of spaces (on Madison Street) to 55 that are going to be there for the public to utilize and frequent our downtown," Dunigan said. 
SEPTA commuters will not be able to park in any of the new spaces.
"SEPTA parking is going to have to find other places to park," Dunigan said.
The hope is SEPTA users will park at Pennbrook Station on Church Road, a lot which, according to SEPTA, is underutilized.
"As we worked with SEPTA, especially with this lot, we have come up with alternate parking, which SEPTA will be doing," Kirchner said.
She said parking is something that has lost money in the borough for far too long.
"We are beginning to show improvements in revenues in parking for the borough," she said. "This will improve it again."


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