CHANGE IN TRANSPORTATION ALONG THE 422 CORRIDOR DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT & C HANGE By Barry Cassidy recently I returned to after being in the better part of the last three years looking after my father. Any of you that have elderly parents will soon find out choices in your life will sometimes take a back seat to what you have to do as a responsible family member. Although Pittsburgh, to me, is like being in social Siberia, I would not change a moment of sharing my father’s last days. In my desire to return to civilization, do the greenline the first time. I will never I called my friend Manny DeMutis and we forget when norfolk Southern called me worked out a plan for me to return and and told me I had a competitor for the hang out with him while I worked on a purchase of the rail line. I asked, “Who?” couple of projects, and finished up my I was told the Chester County. I soon found Master’s Degree program in “Cities” at the that there was a study underway for the london School of Economic and Political Patriots Trail that was not public Science. One of the projects was to work on knowledge… which I labeled a secret plan. the electric line relocation with PECO and Then we could not get the support of the Verizon, and provide my government Borough of Phoenixville. That plan at that relations skills. time was doable, and I was sure I could have The second project was to look into the financed it. now, years later, we will study it, greenline Project which entailed running a but the window may have passed. The train line from Phoenixville to Paoli. After consultants asked me a question, “Why I spoke with some of my industry contacts, would you go to Paoli when you could go to it became apparent that we had to move Philadelphia?” My response was kind of quickly, because of the nature of the right of way that would be used to provide the train stupid I guess, because I replied, “I like Paoli!” route after the norfolk Southern DeVault After some thought, I agreed going into line ends (in Devault). So, we put together a the city would probably be a better scope of services, and discussed the chances alternative. Considering all of the housing of that line becoming a reality. being built in the area, it would be good The issue of a trail was discussed for that to have a train into the city. It would line recently and I believe it was kind of a allow for an entirely new cohort group to follow up to the talk about the “Patriots live out in the Phoenixville suburban area. Trail” which I encountered when I tried to (Continued on page 46 )

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One has to admit that the downtown revital - project, but was told this one would be ization was a success, and people like to live different. near the arts and entertainment district that It was explained to me that this project was created, largely due to the efforts of could utilize technology currently in use in robb Frees and Manny DeMutis. Europe that used an engine that went from I brought up to the consultants that the Diesel to Electric. Kind of the hybrid much sought-after King of Prussia/Casino solution that could have worked for the line was already in the works, and we could Metro and eliminated the cost of electrifica - tag on to that. The response was puzzling, as tion of the rails. I remember some of the they said, “Why would you want to go to discussions I had in london with the people Upper Darby?” I remembered Mike that were creating the Crossrail, which will Chitwood was the officer in charge of South make one of my school projects accessible Street right before I got there and I always from center city london. They told me this liked talking with him, and he was now the kind of innovation had been done before, Chief over in Upper Darby. Also, I went while discussing financing of railroads and there once to see Steely Dan at the Tower how it affected my taskforce project on the Theater, but other than that I was at a loss. I royal Docks, in East london. was soon to find that the KOP/Casino line So, I started drinking the Koolaide and went to 69th Street Station. brought it to the attention of Phoenixville They said that we could look at an Borough Council, which already was predis - extension of the r-6 line… now renamed posed to that plan. Seems like I was jumping something else but I am going to go with on a train that others were waiting to arrive. r-6 here in this article. Then it occurred to The Mayor jumped on board with a me they were talking Schuylkill Valley “Mayor’s Taskforce” and the project was Metro light. “Heaven to Betsy” I replied, officially born. We assembled a committee, as I remembered all the controversy and voted on the scope of the project and how people were trying to get me to pull awarded the contract to veteran railroad the greenline and go with the Metro. I kind consultant Thomas Frawley. of wanted no part of re-creating that (Continued on page 48 )

ROUTE 422 BUSINESS ADVISOR 422business.com and 422bizmag.com 46 JULY 2018 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT & C HANGE (Continued from page 46 ) I had originally thought about forming cation infrastructure. The demonstration subcommittees at that meeting but thought project would provide passengers with twice. This is a month and a half long study, one-seat ride between Phoenixville which and before everyone gets excited, let’s see is a key population node along the US what facts relating to the project will be 422 corridor and Philadelphia, at presented. People look at me sometimes as Capital, Operations and Maintenance “wide eyed” and a “dreamer “ and I am sure cost levels significantly lower than for there is some truth to that. I always feel that other rail alternatives. hard work and effort can sometimes make dreams come true. Barry Cassidy is a freelance grant and economic It is apparent that Manny DeMutis has a development consultant. He can be reached at [email protected]. dream for the city he is creating in the once downtrodden Borough of Phoenixville. I was able to play a small part in helping him once. Maybe we can make it happen again. By the time this article comes out in the Route 422 Business Advisor we should be Visit us online to view close to understanding what the results of the study will show. valuable supplemental Of course, it appears there is a grant for content – it’s FREE! that… it is a demonstration program grant… I NSIDE: Exoti c Travel for Bu siness • Why Harrisburg Ma section C looks like the eligible section and tters • Dialec tics of Change • Take Your V acation Days

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Serving th e Route 422,10 0, 202, and Rou te 30 Corridors The demonstration project would in Montgomer y, Chester and B erks Counties. illustrate a means by which to expand the TOURISM & CONVENT electrified SEPTA regional rail service ION BOARD A CREATIVE & INNOVATI M AR KETIN VE network into the rapidly growing US 422 G APPR OACH corridor, without the need to make very large capital investments in new electrifi - 422bizmag.com

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