Saturday, April 6, 2013
Celso Leite, Lansdale property owner, is upset about an email sent by Democratic Lansdale Borough Council candidate Richard Strahm to the Economic Development Committee.
My name is Celso Leite and I am a property owner and investor in Lansdale. I recently spent $200,000 to rehabilitate 303 and 305 West Main Street, which are now the homes to Royal Comics and Gaming and Theater and Kids. I am also spending $2 million to build a high-end apartment complex in the back of 303 and 305 Main Street, which replaces a dilapidated eye sore in town. In a nutshell, I will commit close to $3 million dollars to improving downtown Lansdale and, hopefully, will spend more in the future. Why I am writing this letter? I am writing this letter because I have serious reservations about a Lansdale council candidate, Richard Strahm, who is running for Borough Council. In the fall of 2012, Mr. Strahm felt the need to inform all …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Merje Design, of West Chester, presented the recommendations thus far in a nearly completed wayfinding signage study for Lansdale Borough Monday night. There's also the chance to have Apps developed to help commuters find parking in Lansdale.
Signs of blue and yellow could pop up around Lansdale Borough by Spring 2014, as Lansdale works to implement its upcoming wayfinding study recommendations by West Chester-based firm Merje Design. The Lansdale Economic Development Committee and Communication Commission got a sneak peak of a 95-percent-complete wayfinding study for the borough. The study, upon completion, will feature recommendations for implementation for directional and informational signage in Lansdale. The study would first go before the EDC and Communication Commission, as well as Lansdale Parking Authority, for review prior to their recommendations for approval to borough council. Glen Swantek, principal at Merje Design, emphasized that the wayfinding report is …
Monday, February 18, 2013
The Economic Development Committee and the Communication Commission are poised to work with the Lansdale Business Association and the PennSuburban Chamber of Commerce to help promote the branding initiative
Getting Lansdale businesses on board to help promote the new brand initiative will be challenging, said Lansdale Business Association President Doug DiPasquale during last week's joint Economic Development Committee and Communication Commission meeting. The main challenge: Having business owners understand the use of the brand is not a borough-sanctioned thing. DiPasquale, who sits on the Economic Development Committee as liaison to the LBA, said the issue came up during a recent discussion of its murals project. "We talked about having a name for (the murals project): 'Murals in Motion.' 'Murals in Motion' is in keeping with the theme of the borough, but it's not a borough project," he said. "The education still needs to be there. In …
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
The Communication Commission and Economic Development Committee discussed branding touchpoints at their joint meeting Monday. One point involved the use of the new Lansdale "L" logo and policing to make sure it is used properly
Freeze! Lansdale Logo Police! As Lansdale's Communication Commission and Economic Development Committee are now tasked with being the leaders in implementing the Lansdale Borough brand narrative and brand platform into the community over the next two years, the two groups have begun talks on the how, where and what of its branding initiative. On Monday, with the aid of a 100-plus page brand manual, the groups met jointly and began to classify the implementation of various suggested branding touch points as easy, moderate and difficult — aka immediate, within the first year and down the road. What's a touch point? It is a resource or method used to build the brand in the minds of residents and visitors to Lansdale on a daily basis. For …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
North Star Destination Strategies, of Tennessee, reviewed its recommendations Monday night on how Lansdale can implement the results of a branding study. The borough's new slogan: Life In Motion
After Monday night — and a $68,000 branding initiative cost — Memphis, Tennessee's North Star Destination Strategies' recommendations for Lansdale's future branding are "in motion." North Star Vice President Ed Barlow reviewed his firm's final recommendations in the branding initiative with the borough's Economic Development Committee and Communications Commission. "Lansdale: Life in Motion" is the new motto for the borough. However, the motto can be interchangeable and flexible, as local businesses and organizations are encouraged to use the new motto and logo in merchandising and marketing. For instance, "Lansdale: Health in Motion" on health-related paraphernalia. How about a "Lansdale: Dogs in Motion" branded Frisbee? The ideas are, …
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
The premiere of the monthly event is organized by the township economic development committee
Towamencin Township is open for business. Business owners, professionals and Towamencin public officials gathered in the Platinum Room of Holiday Inn Monday night to network, share ideas and work toward a common cause. That cause: Boost business in Towamencin Township. "Essentially, it's to let folks know Towamencin is open for business," said township economic development committee Chairman Steve Pratt. "It was formed in May 2011 to retain existing businesses and generate business opportunities for the township." Supervisor Chairman Dan Littley said, during his opening remarks, that the committee was formed by resolution for a number of reasons. "We saw a lot of facilities going empty," Littley said. "Development was very low. There are a…
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Lansdale Borough Council will vote on the recommended members Wednesday
A Business Improvement District is closer to formation in downtown Lansdale. The Economic Development Committee on Monday unanimously recommended council approve a 13-member sterring committee for the BID. The members recommended to the committee are: Businesses in a BID pay an additional tax or fee to fund aesthetic improvements within the boundaries. Businesses can take advantage of incentives, like tax abatements, or grant programs to assist in required BID fees. These incentives can also bring in new businesses. The branding survey revealed residents and consumers outside the borough believe the borough needs more retail variety, an upkeep of appearances and attractive storefronts. Fuller said Monday night that the steering committee …
Friday, April 6, 2012
The bowling alley and fun center will be located at the Hillcrest Shopping Center, and could open its doors as soon as December
A lease agreement has been signed between Trefoil Properties and local investment group PMC Entertainment, the future owners and operators of the tenative King Pinz Family Entertainment Center. During Wednesday night's Economic Development Committee report at the borough council work session, councilwoman Mary Fuller announced that Lansdale will once again have its own bowling alley. "This news is so hot, it's going to burn your fingers," she said. "It is with great pleasure that the Economic Development Committee, along with the Office of Community Development, announces that Trefoil has signed a lease agreement with an investment group who plans on operating a bowling alley and family fun center at Hillcrest Shopping Center." Fuller said…
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
The possibility of businesses revitalizing the Hillcrest Shopping Center and The Pavilion Shopping Center were discussed at Lansdale's Town Hall session
Lucky Strike Lanes at Hillcrest Shopping Center? A Trader Joe's at The Pavilion where Super Foodtown used to be? These were two necessities discussed at the top of the hour Tuesday at Lansdale's informal town hall session at the parks and recreation building. Councilman Steve Malagari said Lucky Strikes would be a perfect addition to the borough, but he was unsure if the company would be willing to come out to a suburban area. Lucky Strike is a bowling franchise that offers a bar, lounge and a bowling alley under one roof. Lucky Strikes are located in 11 states, the District of Columbia and Canada. In Pennsylvania, there is one in Philadelphia on Chestnut Street. Another one exists in New York City. A look at the locations on its website …
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Delta Development Group, who is assessing the borough's parking, will develop a plan for a Business Improvement District. Council voted 7-2 to approve the contract
The 311 W. Main Task Force is still in the early stages of finding the purpose – and the funding – of the former arts center on Main Street. North Star Destination Strategies is still in the early stages of finding the identity and brand of Lansdale Borough. BPG Properties Ltd. is still in the preliminary stages of designing a retail Mecca and parking garage at Madison Parking Lot. With all that on their plate, borough council found room to approve this month a $40,000 contract with Delta Development Group to design and assess a Business Improvement District in downtown Lansdale. If Delta Development Group sounds familiar, that’s because it is the group contracted by the Lansdale Parking Authority to develop a parking improvement plan in …
Andy Szekely
4:28 pm on Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Thanks Brian for your support and your support of the arts in town. more ›