Collegeville Connects
News from Main Street
August 2009 | |
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Interested in learning more about the Main Street Program? Want to volunteer on one of our committees? Find everything you need at www.collegevilledevelopment.org |
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Collegeville Main Street Program One of Ten in Country Selected to Participate in Pedestrian Safety Program
The Collegeville Main Street Program (CMSP) has been selected to participate in a demonstration project to improve pedestrian safety, which is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center (NCHSRC).
The CMSP was one of only ten organizations nationwide selected to participate in this demonstration project, from more than 75 applicants. The guidebook, A Resident's Guide for Creating Safe and Walkable Communities, will be used to implement activities aimed at improving pedestrian safety and walkability within Collegeville's Main Street District. Over the course of the year-long project, CMSP will receive technical assistance from national pedestrian safety experts, along with $2,000 to be used towards the purchase of signage, reference materials, or activities related to the program.
Linda Flederbach, Main Street Manager for the CMSP, could not be more excited about participating. "The timing of this award is perfect. There is streetscape work occurring right now along Main Street and more will happen next year. The Borough is completing plans to put in a trail parking lot near the Perkiomen Trail at Third Avenue, bringing with it increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Ursinus College has also been discussing improving student safety along Main Street. I expect that CMSP, the Borough and Ursinus will be able to implement many of the ideas that are generated as a result of this project."
The CMSP was chosen based on the need for safety improvements, the strong commitment to work with the Collegeville community over the next year, and for the sound action plan that was presented to achieve safety goals.
In order to implement the planned safety goals, Debbie Riegner, co-chairperson for the CMSP Design Committee, says they will be looking for input from people who are particularly interested in this issue. "I hope that we will have a large number of residents and students that join in the effort. We will be looking to have representation from Ursinus, the Borough and the County as well."
To learn more about the Main Street Program or to get involved with the pedestrian safety project, contact Linda Flederbach at (610) 454-1050 or e-mail manager@collegevilledevelopment.org. Information on improving pedestrian safety can be found at www.walkinginfo.org. | |
 This Place Matters!
Group Photo Planned Outside of the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel in Collegeville
The Collegeville Main Street Program (CMSP) will be coordinating a community photo in front of the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel on Tuesday, August 18, at 6:00 PM as part of its entry in a national contest sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation entitled "This Place Matters." The contest is designed to raise awareness and start a conversation about the importance of historic buildings in preserving our national heritage and strengthening our communities. It also calls attention to all the places that people from around the country believe define us as a nation.
Borough residents and supporters of Main Street are invited to show their support for Collegeville and the reuse of the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel by being part of the photo shoot in front of the building, located at 1 E. Main Street in Collegeville. Their goal is to have several hundred supporters in the snapshot. Participants will be given a flier to be held up stating This Place Matters. B-101 will be broadcasting from the site, the B-101 Bee will be buzzing about, and kids will be able to have their faces painted and leave with balloon art. Teri Stagliano, Borough Council President will make a short speech to the crowd. There is no cost to participate.
The Perkiomen Bridge Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the country's listing of the most important historic buildings and places, was used by passerbys for food and lodging since 1706. Located behind the Hotel is the Perkiomen Bridge, a stone arch bridge which has been in continuous use since 1799. The Perkiomen Bridge Hotel is currently vacant and for sale.
Linda Flederbach, Collegeville's Main Street Manager, states that the "This Place Matters" photo is only one of the efforts to raise awareness about the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel. "The Main Street program recently co-hosted, along with the Borough, a reception for potential developers. Since it is located at one of the entrances of the Borough and along Main Street, it is very important that we do everything we can to restore this location to the prominence it has had in our community for over 300 years. We have to do everything we can to bring attention to the Hotel and the need for it to be refurbished. I cannot imagine that corner without the Hotel. "
Flederbach adds that the Collegeville Main Street Program is less interested in winning the digital camera, the prize for the contest winners, but more focused on enhancing the Main Street, bringing business back to the vacant building and uniting the community on the reuse of the Perkiomen Bridge Hotel.
Andrea Baptiste, Collegeville Borough councilperson and chairperson for the CMSP Economic Restructuring Committee believes that the right person has not heard about the hotel. "There's got to be someone out there with a passion for preservation. They just have not heard about (the hotel) yet. This is a great opportunity to spread the word."
Please contact Linda Flederbach, Main Street Manager, at (610) 454-1050 (610) 454-1050 or e-mail manager@collegevilledevelopment.org if you plan on being part of the photo. A rain date has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 19 at 6:00 PM.
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 Probing Main Street's Parking Situation
We have heard many folks mention that there is a parking problem on Main Street and our goal as a Main Street Community is to determine if this is indeed, true. And so, in July, two of the Economic Restructuring (ER) Committee's volunteers, Jason Rinde and Kathy Kernen, trekked up and down Main Street counting parking spaces and collecting other important data. This was the first of three days over the next several months when the volunteers will collect data.
The study follows guidelines outlined in a publication entitled: Parking Management Made Easy: Taming the Downtown Parking Beast. It details all the steps that the volunteers should follow so that after all the data is collected we will have a clear picture of our parking situation. After the study is complete, the ER Committee will develop recommendations based on the findings. They will schedule a public presentation to review the findings and discuss their recommendations.
Many communities believe they have a parking problem, when in actuality it is a perceived problem. Solutions as simple as addressing signage issues by erecting clearly visible signs that direct shoppers to parking, or encouraging business owners to park in other spots than those where customers might park can reduce some of the problems. The data collected can be used for future planning of parking garages or lots if growth is anticipated.
CONSIDER THIS: A business recruitment expert once commented to a small community who thought they had a parking problem..."The only parking problem you have is an empty space." |
 Welcome and Farewell
The Collegeville Economic Development Corporation bids farewell to Vic Brown, who served as President for the past two years. The CEDC thanks him for his tireless service. They warmly welcome Cheryl Marple, who was elected as President until December 31, 2009.
Jason Rinde who served as the Main Street Program's college intern for the summer will be leaving mid-August. Jason helped improve the organization's computer capabilities, completed database records, and researched and conducted the first phase of the parking study. The CEDC hopes that he takes with him practical experience on how a non-profit operates. |
Ursinus SIFE Students to Join Main Street Committees
The Collegeville Main Street Program (CMSP) will warmly welcome several SIFE students to the four working committees when they return to campus in August. SIFE, short for Students in Free Enterprise, is a non-profit organization that works with leaders in business and higher education to mobilize university students to make a difference in their communities while developing the skills to become socially responsible business leaders. Their projects address a variety of topics including market economics, entrepreneurship, financial literacy and personal success skills.
Their participation in the CMSP is ideal since both SIFE and the CSMP are working toward the same goal - to improve the lives of others living in and around Collegeville. For more information on SIFE visit SIFE |
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Become a Tree Tender - Learn to Plant and Care for Trees in Collegeville
Join the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) for nine hours of hands-on training that will cover tree biology, identification, planting, proper care and working with your community. The course is designed for lay people and experts alike. This three-part training is free, but regisration is required.
6-9 PM
Valley Forge Christian College, Solomon's Porch
1401 Charlestown Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460
Thursday, September 25
Thursday, October 2
Tuesday, October 7
Tree Inventory Training
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 from 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost $60** This workshop covers the basics of Why Conduct a Tree Inventory?, Inventory Systems & Options, Data Collection: Location, Tree Identification, Diameter, Condition, Maintenance, Site Conditions, and Inventory Analysis. It will include Hands-on Outdoor Practice (Rain or Shine). Instructors include Julianne Schieffer, Brian Wolyniak, and Vinnie Cotrone.
i-Tree Streets Training
Thursday, August 27, 2009 from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Cost $220** i-Tree Streets is the new state of the art, GIS based tree inventory software that has emerged from the combination of STRATUM and MCTI plus an added new pest detection module. This Freeware from the USDA Forest Service provides community dollar benefits, allowing for best stewardship of tree resources. See www.itreetools.org for more information.
This training introduces the software as well as allows hands on practice with computers and data collection in the outdoors. Davey Tree Resources will provide the instructors.
Location of both trainings: Penn State Great Valley, 30 East Swedesford Road, Malvern, PA 19355
Registration
For more information and the registration brochure, please contact Julianne Schieffer, Extension Urban Forester at jxs51@psu.edu or 610-489-4315.
To find out more about the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, visit PHS |
 Chamber Employment Opportunity
Marketing & Public Relations Manager - Serving a regional nonprofit organization of 500 members encompassing nine municipalities. Responsible for fundraising, event planning along with membership development and retention. This is a part-time, 15-20 flexible hours/week position (base + commission) for a creative, motivated initiator looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity. Submit resumes to Search Committee at info@PVchamber.net, fax: 610-454-1270 or mail to PV Chamber, 351 E. Main Street, Collegeville, PA 19426. |
 Watershed Warriors Needed
The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy has taken on a local invader and is waging a major battle for the protection of the Unami Creek. The invader is the innocuous-sounding European water chestnut but it is no meek and mild enemy. The first of several volunteer workdays aimed at removing the plant from Lake Delmont in Marlborough Township took place on July 15th.
While this plant may appear to be pretty harmless, it can have a devastating impact on native aquatic species, thus impacting all species up the food chain. The current infestation also reminds us that we must all be pro-active about keeping aquatic "hitchhikers" off our fishing and boating gear - the easiest way to transfer an invader to a new location.
More workdays are scheduled for August 5th and 8th and the Conservancy needs more volunteers to battle this plant. Canoes and kayaks will be used for this effort. Volunteers are welcome to bring their own, but it is not necessary. Life jackets are required. No experience is necessary, all tools and instruction will be provided. Registration is required. Please contact Kelly Germann for questions and to register: kgermann@perkiomenwatershed.org or 610-287-9383 For more information on the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy go to the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy |
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Mark Your Calendars!
On Campus
FOLK ART FROM THE DAVID BRONSTEIN COLLECTION open at The Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art on the Ursinus College campus. The exhibit, in the Upper Gallery, will run through Aug. 29.
August 31st - Fall Semester Begins
Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy
August 15th - Botany Walk
Green Lane Resevoir, Church Road Area, Upper Hanover Township
Botany Walks are approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours in length.
9:30 am
September 19, 2009: Swamp Creek near the Girl Scouts' Camp Laughing Waters
October 17, 2009: Fulshaw Craeg Preserve, Salford Township
Perkiomen Valley Library
Saturday, August 29: Be Creative Magic Show
Bring the whole family out for the Hilarious Magic of Same Sandler in the "Be Creative Magic Show"
Location: Perkiomen Valley Library -- Auditorium
For a complete list of activities go to Calendar |
Vereb Applauds Bipartisan Effort to Create Online Database of State Expenses
Rep. Mike Vereb (R-Montgomery) joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers calling for an online database of state expenses in order to bring more integrity and transparency to state government. "Creating a singular, searchable database will better serve the people of Pennsylvania," Vereb said. "Taxpayers have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent. This database is an important step toward bringing more integrity and openness to state government. I pledge to work with my fellow House and Senate colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see this database becomes a reality."
House Bill 1460 has been sponsored by Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver) and would create an online database and Web site where budget expenditures and contract information will be posted and easily accessible by the public.
A similar proposal passed the Senate and is currently in the House Finance Committee.
In March, Vereb and Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny/Butler) called for a concise, online Web site of state expenses following a news report that members of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) racked up huge travel expenses after the governor imposed an out-of-state travel ban for state employees.
"I was elected in 2006 on a wave of public outcry for state government reform. I am thrilled that so many members of both parties have come together to take this much-needed step to making the Legislature, and all of state government, more fiscally accountable," Vereb added. | |
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